27/08/2025
From Private Practice to Pioneering Trials: Dr. Marc Berson’s OD Journey with 20/20 Onsite
We’re kicking off our new quarterly OD Spotlight series to share the stories of optometrists who are bringing their expertise to clinical trials — and inspire more ODs to explore this rewarding path.
For our first feature, meet Dr. Marc Berson.
“After nearly 40 years in private clinical practice, I thought I had seen just about everything possible related to the eye and visual system… until I discovered 20/20 Onsite.”
Dr. Berson’s journey into clinical trials started after decades of leadership in optometry. A 1983 graduate of PCO (Salus University) with a residency in primary care and contact lenses, an MBA in healthcare, and a past presidency of the Pennsylvania State Board of Optometry, Dr. Berson was winding down his routine eye care responsibilities when something unexpected caught his attention: An ad from 20/20 Onsite, looking for an OD to examine patients with cystic fibrosis in a point-of-need clinic.
“Cystic fibrosis? I thought this was an incurable disease… I was wrong. I learned about a life-saving medication that allows patients to live a long, normal life — but with possible ocular side effects that need to be monitored annually.”
That one assignment led to a whole new chapter. Today, Dr. Berson examines patients in Phase 2 and 3 trials for treatments ranging from major depressive disorder to chronic cough syndrome and epilepsy — always with the goal of protecting ocular endpoints before a drug reaches approval.
For Dr. Berson, the benefits go beyond the clinic, “Working with the clinical managers, staff, and doctors at 20/20 Onsite has been educational, rewarding, fun, and allows me to keep my hand in eye care. It gives me the flexibility to go windsurfing, build wooden boats, travel, and spend quality time with my parents and grandchildren.”
If you’re an OD looking to:
• Stay clinically engaged without the grind of daily practice
• Contribute your expertise to advancing medicine
• Work alongside a team that values quality data and clinical rigor
• Keep the flexibility to pursue your passions outside of work
…our OD Network is the place to start.
If you’re interested in learning more, set up a quick chat with Dr. Katherine Harkins, Director of Optometry, at kharkins@2020onsite.com.
