Biographical summary
Dr. Muriel Schornack is a board certified optometrist. She holds a fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and the Scleral Lens Education Society (SLS). She is a member of Mayo’s Facial Reanimation Clinic.
Some of the conditions that Dr. Schornack treats are; corneal ectasis, keratoconus, corneal irregularity due to scarring of surgery, ocular surface disease, and tear film dysfunction.
Dr. Schornack has a special interest in the fitting of scleral lenses. This involves the study of therapeutic applications for scleral lenses, clinical outcomes of scleral lens prescription for various indications, consensus-based guidelines for scleral lens fitting, patient-reported experience using scleral lenses for the treatment of eye disease, and clinical findings associated with scleral lens wear.
Additional research interests include investigating delivery of primary eye care, including assessment of refractive error, screening for ocular disease, and management of chronic ocular disease.
- Associate member of the International Society of Contact Lens Specialists, 2023-present
- Planning committee member
- International Forum for Scleral Lens Research, 2017-presesnt
- International Congress of Scleral Contacts, 2017-present
- Founder and member of the Scleral Lenses in Current Ophthalmic Practice Evaluation (SCOPE) research team, 2014-present
- Founding member of the Scleral Lens Education Society, 2009
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
- Contact lens fitting
- Eye exam
- Scleral lens fitting
Interests
- Comprehensive optometry
- Contact lenses
- Scleral lens fitting
- Dry eyes
- Tear film deficiency
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 1999
Resident - Primary Care OptometryIllinois Eye Institute
- 1998
ODIllinois College of Optometry
- 1987
MM - Music-Piano PedagogyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- 1984
BA - MusicJamestown College
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2012
Medical OptometryAmerican Board of Certification in Medical Optometry
Awards and honors
- 2022
Scleral Lens Education Society Practitioner of the Year Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2021
Alumni Achievement AwardIllinois College of Optometry
- 2012
Legend AwardContact Lens and Cornea Section, American Optometric Association
- 2010
Rodger Kame Special Recognition AwardContact Lens and Cornea Section, American Optometric Association
- 1998
Alumnus of the Year AwardAwarding Organization
- 1998
Kenneth P. Martin Memorial AwardAwarding Organization
- 1998
Ann Pollak Memorial ScholarshipAwarding Organization
- 1998
Valedictory AwardAwarding Organization
- 1998
MedalBeta Sigma Kappa
- 1997
Student Leadership AwardAmerican Optometric Association
- 1997
PresidentGold Key International Optometric Honor Society
- 1997
PresidentTomb and Key Honor Fraternity, Illinois College of Optometry
- 1997
Alumni Achievement Award ScholarshipAwarding Organization
- 1996
John J. Brady Memorial ScholarshipIllinois College of Optometry
- 1996
MemberBeta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society
- 1994
Presidential ScholarshipIllinois College of Optometry
- 1987
Outstanding Young Women of AmericaAwarding Organization
- 1984
University FellowshipUniversity of Illinois
- 1984
President's Key Award (Valedictorian)Jamestown College
- 1983
College Fellow in MusicJamestown College
- 1983
Who's Who in American Colleges and UniversitiesAwarding Organization
- 1980
ValedictorianGrafton Central High School
- 1980
National Merit Scholarship FinalistAwarding Organization
Professional memberships
- 2023 - present
Associate MemberInternational Society of Contact Lens Specialists
- 2021 - present
MemberDepartment of Ophthalmology, Research Committee
- 2017 - present
LeadEDI Practice Development Team
- 2017 - present
Advisory Board MemberScleral Lens Education Society
- 2017 - present
Planning Committee and FacultyInternational Forum of Scleral Lens Research
- 2016 - 2021
MemberDepartment of Ophthalmology, Executive Committee
- 2016 - 2017
Immediate Past PresidentBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2015 - 2016
PresidentBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2015 - present
Planning Committee and FacultyInternational Congress on Scleral Contacts
- 2014 - 2015
Vice PresidentBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2013 - 2014
SecretaryBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2013 - present
MemberAdvisory Council, Gas Permeable Lens Institute
- 2012 - present
ChairLeadership Course Development Committee, American Academy of Optometry
- 2012 - 2015
MemberInnovation Committee, Department of Ophthalmology
- 2012 - 2013
TreasurerBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2010 - 2012
Public Education ChairBoard of Directors, Scleral Lens Education Society
- 2010 - present
Founding Board MemberScleral Lens Education Society
- 2005 - 2016
MemberClinical Practice Committee, Department of Ophthalmology
- 2003 - 2004
LeadNortheast Clinic Practice Development Team
- 2003 - present
LeadPrimary Eye Care Team in Mayo's 2003 Access Collaborative, Department of Ophthalmology
- 1999 - present
Assistant DirectorContact Lens Service, Department of Ophthalmology
- 1999 - present
MemberMinnesota Optometric Association, American Optometric Association
- 1999 - present
MemberContact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists
- 1997 - 1998
PresidentGold Key International Optometric Honor Society
- 1997 - 1998
PresidentStudent Association, Illinois College of Optometry
- 1997 - 1998
PresidentCollegiate Society, Illinois Optometric Association, American Optometric Association
- 1996 - present
MemberAmerican Academy of Optometry
- 1996 - 1998
PresidentTomb and Key Honor Fraternity, Illinois College of Optometry
- 1996 - present
MemberBeta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society
- 1996 - 1997
Vice PresidentCollegiate Society, Illinois Optometric Association, American Optometric Association
- 1995 - 1998
MemberStudent Association, Illinois College of Optometry
- 1995 - 1997
PresidentCouncil on Ethics and Advancement of Professionalism, Illinois College of Optometry
- 1995 - 1997
MemberBoard of Trustees, American Optometric Student Association
- 1994 - present
MemberAmerican Optometric Association
Publications
Research activities