About

Aaron Zimmerman is a Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He has earned three degrees from The Ohio State University: BS (2002), OD (2006), and MS (2008). He currently serves as the chief of the contact lens service at the college and is the instructor of record for courses including Optometry 7520 – Advanced Contact Lenses and Optometry 7160 – Lasers, Injections, and Minor Surgical Procedures. His research interests involve sports vision, contact lens adverse events, keratoconus, and specialty contact lenses. Zimmerman serves on the East West Eye Conference Education Committee and is the current chair of the American Academy of Optometry’s Lectures and Workshops Committee. He also represents the American Optometric Association on the ASC Z80 and ANSI Z87 committees. He is a Diplomate of the Cornea, Contact Lenses and Refractive Technologies section of the American Academy of Optometry. In 2025, he was recognized as the Optometric Educator of the Year by the American Optometric Association.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Psychology
• Optics
• Physics
• Internal medicine
• Environmental science
• Optometry
• Environmental engineering
• Environmental health
• Materials science

Selected publications

• Living on the edge: Testing for compact population features at the edges of parameter space

  ArXiv.org · 2025-10-22

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Many astrophysical population studies involve parameters that exist on a bounded domain, such as the dimensionless spins of black holes or the eccentricities of planetary orbits, both of which are confined to $[0, 1]$. In such scenarios, we often wish to test for distributions clustered near a boundary, e.g., vanishing spin or orbital eccentricity. Conventional approaches -- whether based on Monte Carlo, kernel density estimators, or machine-learning techniques -- often suffer biases at the boundaries. These biases stem from sparse sampling near the edge, kernel-related smoothing, or artifacts introduced by domain transformations. We introduce a truncated Gaussian mixture model framework that substantially mitigates these issues, enabling accurate inference of narrow, edge-dominated population features. While our method has broad applications to many astronomical domains, we consider gravitational wave catalogs as a concrete example to demonstrate its power. In particular, we maintain agreement with published constraints on the fraction of zero-spin binary black hole systems in the GWTC-3 catalog -- results originally derived at much higher computational cost through dedicated reanalysis of individual events in the catalog. Our method can achieve similarly reliable results with a much lower computational cost. The method is publicly available in the open-source packages gravpop and truncatedgaussianmixtures.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The relationship between soft contact lens adverse events and corneal sagittal depth

  Contact Lens and Anterior Eye · 2025-04-01

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: To determine if individuals who develop soft-contact-lens adverse events (corneal infiltrative events or microbial keratitis) have a shallower corneal sagittal depth than the population mean. METHODS: Participants (N = 25) with an adverse event within the last two years were recruited for a prospective, case-control study. Corneal sagittal depth was calculated from topography (central keratometry, eccentricity, 12 mm diameter) for comparison with an historical control (published, population mean ± SD = 2.74 ± 0.15 mm, N = 18,387 eyes) using one-sample t-tests. Bland-Altman analyses compared topography-calculated sagittal depth to measurements from anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images (12 mm chord), for validation. Contact lens movement and fit were measured from images/videos. RESULTS: Participants (mean ± SD age = 27.4 ± 10.4 years, range 18 to 65 years) were predominantly female (19 of 25). Topography-calculated sagittal depth was slightly larger than, but highly correlated with, AS-OCT measurements (mean of the differences ± SD = 0.14 ± 0.08 mm, t = 8.97, p < 0.0001; r = 0.82, p < 0.0001). The mean ± SD sagittal depth for participants (2.64 ± 0.14 mm) was significantly shallower than the population mean (t = - 3.52, p = 0.002). Primary gaze contact lens movement (mean ± SD) was 0.24 ± 0.17 mm, range: 0.06 to 0.82 mm and up gaze was 0.45 ± 0.33 mm, range: 0.05 to 1.16 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Contact lens wearers with adverse events had a corneal sagittal depth that was significantly shallower than the population mean. These data suggest that one-size-fits-most soft contact lenses may have a sagittal depth that is too deep for patients with a shallower-than-typical corneal sagittal depth, which presumably inhibits the eye's natural defenses. Future studies should compare the relative risk of corneal sagittal depth to other known risk factors and determine clinical guidelines for fitting soft contact lenses based on sagittal depth.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Letter to the Editor: The Spectral Bands Task Force: A consensus on the representation of high‐energy visible radiation

  Optometry and Vision Science · 2024-04-01 · 4 citations

  letter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Baseball Seam Recognition at Different Distances.

  PubMed · 2024-06-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background: A potential visual cue that baseball batters may use to determine the trajectory of pitched balls is the orientation of the ball's seams. However, a batter may have limited time (130-200ms) to assess pitch trajectory. The purpose of this study was to determine whether observers could reliably identify the seams on a spinning baseball at distances associated with the early trajectory assessment period. Methods: Baseballs were spun with a motor. The baseballs were oriented such that they appeared to have 2 wide red vertical bands, 1 wide central red vertical band, or no wide (red) bands. Sixteen young subjects viewed the rotating baseballs at randomized distances from 10 to 45 feet. At each distance, the three seam patterns were randomly presented 3 times. Subjects were given unlimited time to identify (three alternative forced choice) the number of wide red bands. Results: The percentage of correct responses ranged from 98% at 10 feet to 76% at 45 feet from the subject. At 16 feet (the maximum distance at which it was reported that the 2 wide bands of a two-seam fastball could be seen) and at 10 feet (the maximum distance at which it was reported that the thin red bands of a four-seam fastball could be seen) the predicted percent correct was over 95%. At 29 feet from the batter (the ball's distance 200ms after a 90mph pitch is released), the predicted percentage correct was at least 90%. Conclusions: Subjects correctly identified the number of wide red seams on the ball well over threshold (67%) at all distances. The percentage correct was over 90% for all but the 45-foot distance. Assessment of the seam orientation might be useful as a visual cue for a baseball batter to predict pitch trajectory.

  PublisherOA PDF

• Multifaceted behavioral interventions to improve treatment adherence of glaucoma

  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2023-05-31 · 1 citations

  article

  Objectives This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the impact of two or more behavioral interventions (i.e. multifaceted) on topical glaucoma therapy adherence in individuals utilizing intraocular‐lowering therapy for at least three months prior to intervention for ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

  PublisherDOI

• Defining Daily Disposable Contact Lens Wear in a Clinical Study

  Optometry and Vision Science · 2023-02-01 · 4 citations

  article

  SIGNIFICANCE: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates contact lenses as prescription medical devices and defines daily disposable lenses for single use; however, safety comparisons between daily disposable and reusable lenses rely on the lens-wearing regimen. When inappropriately discerned, studies may erroneously report replacement regimen, resulting in inaccurate risk rates. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore different measures for defining daily disposable wearers in the context of a clinical study. METHODS: A secondary analysis of data from five multisite fieldings (n = 1059) from the Contact Lens Risk Survey was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to examine self-reported lens replacement, use of lens case, and manufacturer's recommended replacement frequency as defined by the participants' selection of their habitual lenses using a photographic aide. Daily disposable wearers were identified as reporting daily replacement (by self-report and lens identification) and not using a lens case. If there was a discrepancy among these three factors, the lens assignment was assessed as a majority response (two of three) or as missing if conflicting information was reported. RESULTS: The cohort was approximately two-thirds (68.7%) female and ranged from 12 to 33 years of age. A total of 154 participants (14.5%) were classified as daily disposable wearers and 896 (84.6%) as reusable wearers. Congruence was observed among all three daily disposable assignment factors for only 106 wearers (68.8%). The greatest discrepancy among daily disposable wearers was the report of using a lens case (n = 32 [20.8%]). In contrast, reusable lens wearers were more likely to report agreement across all three factors (n = 798 [89.1%], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that the report of not using a lens case is a more conservative surrogate for true single-use lens wear, as one in five may be storing and reusing their daily disposable lenses.

  PublisherDOI

• Examining daily disposable soft contact lens wearers' attitudes and beliefs using the Health Belief Model

  Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics · 2022-12-04 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Foveal Phase Retardation Correlates With Optically Measured Henle Fiber Layer Thickness

  Frontiers in Medicine · 2022 · 1 citations

  • Optics
  • Ophthalmology
  • Materials science

  = 36). Phase retardation maps from SLP imaging were used to generate a macular cross pattern (fixed compensation) or an annulus pattern (variable compensation) centered on the macula. Intensity profiles in the phase retardation maps were produced using annular regions of interest at eccentricities from 0.25° to 3°. Pixel intensity was averaged at each eccentricity, acting as a surrogate for macular phase retardation. Directional OCT images were acquired in the horizontal and vertical meridians in all subjects, allowing visualization of the HFL thickness. HFL thickness was manually segmented in each meridian and averaged. In both cohorts, phase retardation and HFL thickness were highly correlated in the central 3° assessed, providing further evidence that the source of the phase retardation signal in the central macula is dominated by the HFL and that the center of the macula on cross sectional imaging corresponds closely with the center of the macular cross on SLP imaging.

  PublisherDOI

• Change in Risk Score and Behaviors of Soft Contact Lens Wearers After Targeted Patient Education

  Eye & Contact Lens Science & Clinical Practice · 2022-05-17 · 7 citations

  article

  OBJECTIVES: To determine if targeted education can influence the behaviors and scores of soft contact lens (SCL) wearers via the Contact Lens Risk Survey (CLRS). METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective, case-control study. Cases were symptomatic red eye SCL wearers (age, 18-39 years), and controls were age , sex, and site matched. Participants completed the CLRS and were provided targeted patient education at three time points: baseline, one, and six months. Change in scores and behaviors were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Forty-one cases and 71 controls were analyzed. The mean risk score (mean±SE) from baseline to follow-up improved (reduced) for all participants (-1.96±0.73; P =0.01), mostly driven by the improvement among cases (-2.55±1.32; P =0.05). Case subjects reported a decrease in frequency of wearing lenses while showering (-0.32±0.07; P <0.0001), discarding lens solution (-0.13±0.06; P =0.03), and rinsing lenses with tap water (-0.19±0.08; P =0.02) after targeted education. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted patient education can influence some behaviors of SCL wearers, especially those who experienced a red eye event. Further study is needed to determine how to improve other risk behaviors and whether these changes are sustained long term.

  PublisherDOI

• Gas‐Permeable Contact Lenses and Water Exposure: Practices and Perceptions

  Optometry and Vision Science · 2021 · 6 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Environmental health
  • Optometry

  SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides insight into the current recommendations, clinical behaviors, and risk assessments of eye care professionals on the topic of rigid contact lens exposure to tap water. This knowledge may motivate professional organizations to develop initiatives to educate eye care professionals on the dangers of contact lens exposure to water. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice patterns and risk perceptions of eye care professionals regarding gas-permeable contact lens exposure to tap water. METHODS: A branched-logic survey was started by 320 clinicians, vision scientists, and industry personnel and was fully completed by 272 participants. The survey queried participants about their current practices, recommendations, and perceptions of risk regarding exposure of gas-permeable contact lenses to tap water. RESULTS: Of those who prescribe gas-permeable contact lenses, 57.4% reported rinsing lenses with tap water, whereas only 32.7% reported engaging in this same behavior in front of patients. Of those who reported never rinsing lenses with tap water, 85.6% indicated that rinsing lenses with water increases infection risk, whereas 52.1% of those who rinse lenses with water reported the same perceived risk (P < .001). Of all participants, 60% indicated that wearing contact lenses while showering increases infection risk, and 50.2% of all participants advised patients to avoid this behavior. CONCLUSIONS: A discrepancy exists between perceptions of risk concerning exposure of contact lenses to water and both clinical practices and patient education provided by professionals.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Heidi Wagner

  96 shared

• G. Lynn Mitchell

  SUNY College of Optometry

  87 shared

• Kathryn Richdale

  BioInVision (United States)

  84 shared

• Dawn Y. Lam

  Marshall B. Ketchum University

  82 shared

• Beth T. Kinoshita

  Pacific University Oregon

  82 shared

• Luigina Sorbara

  University of Waterloo

  65 shared

• Robin L. Chalmers

  62 shared

• Bernard Rosner

  Harvard University

  20 shared

Labs

• ResearchPI

Education

• MS, Graduate School

  The Ohio State University

  2008

• OD, College of Optometry

  The Ohio State University

  2006

• BS , Biology

  The Ohio State University

  2002

Awards & honors

• American Optometric Association – Optometric Educator of the…
• Centennial Notable Alumnus for The OSU College of Optometry…
• Herbert G. Mote Faculty of the Year (Epsilon Psi Epsilon) (2…
• AOSA Clinical Attending of the Year (2011, 2025)
• Michael Polasky Award for Clinical Instruction (Epsilon Psi…