About Lehigh Eye Specialists

Lehigh Eye Specialists (LES) was founded in 1996 by Glen L. Oliver, MD and Maz Kazahaya, MD.  Both were vitreoretinal surgeons with a vision for establishing a state-of-the-art medical and surgical ophthalmic practice offering the most advanced techniques and technology available to care for patients in the Lehigh Valley in a caring and compassionate environment.

In 1988, Dr. Oliver started a private practice in Allentown specializing in the diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous.  In 1995, he was joined in practice by Dr. Kazahaya, whom he met during Dr. Kazahaya’s internship at LVHC-TAH (now LVHN). Together they formed Lehigh Eye Specialists.  Drs. Oliver and Kazahaya were in practice together until Dr. Oliver’s untimely death in 2002.

In 2009, Dr. Kazahaya was joined by his good friend and co-resident, David DeRose, MD.  Dr. DeRose had been in practice in northeast PA for 12 years prior to joining LES.  With Dr. DeRose’s expertise in cataract and refractive surgery, corneal diseases and surgery, and glaucoma, LES became a specialty center for both anterior and posterior segment ophthalmic surgery. 

As LES grew, additional specialists were needed to address the myriad ophthalmic conditions that presented to the practice. As such, Julie McLaughlin, OD was brought into LES in 2014 as the dry eye and ocular surface disease specialist. And, in 2020, Tricia Lennox Thomas, MD joined LES as the glaucoma specialist.

Over the years, LES has had changes in doctors and personnel, but has always upheld its commitment to its vision to provide the highest quality eye care in a caring and compassionate environment.