Services to Be Held Today for Paul Berman, OD, Sports Vision Specialist and Founder of Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program

HACKENSACK, N.J.— Paul E. Berman, OD, a sports vision specialist, unexpectedly passed away on Nov.10, 2013. He was 62 years old and lived in Hillsdale, N.J.   Berman was born in Manhattan, New York City on Dec. 15, 1950 to Jack and Sylvia Berman, and raised in Brooklyn. He graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1975. The following year he founded Focus Eye Health & Vision Care in Hackensack, N.J., where he remained in private practice throughout his career.   As a founder and global clinical director of the Special Olympics' Lions Club International Opening Eyes and Healthy Athletes programs, Berman received many accolades including the 2007 "Spirit Award for Special Lifetime Global Leadership in Promoting Human Dignity" and, in 2012, White House "Champions of Change." Opening Eyes has screened over 325,000 athletes since its inception in 2001. Berman's leadership has cultured a program with 20,000 volunteers in 80 countries, helping provide over 100,000 prescription eyeglasses to Special Olympic Athletes.   See more