About Dr. Kershner

Dr. Robert M. Kershner, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.S., is an internationally recognized eye physician and surgeon, award-winning educator, and sought-after consultant whose career has spanned more than three decades across seven continents. Known for his energy, passion, and ability to inspire, he has taught physicians and students in over 22 countries, published more than 200 scientific articles and 37 textbooks, and performed more than 32,000 microsurgical procedures that have restored and protected vision for thousands of patients worldwide.

A graduate of Boston University (A.B. with distinction, Molecular Biology; Academy of Distinguished Alumni) and the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine (M.S. in Cell Biology and Biochemistry; M.D. with honors), Dr. Kershner completed his surgical training in ophthalmology at the University of Arizona and University of Utah. He went on to create and chair the nation’s leading Ophthalmic Medical Technology program at Palm Beach State College, shaping the next generation of professionals in the field.

Dr. Kershner’s expertise and innovations have been featured in national and international media, including USA Today, Newsweek, CNN, and ABC’s Evening News with Peter Jennings, where he performed pioneering live-televised eye surgery. His influence extends beyond medicine through his writing for the public, including Lessons from the Practice: The Gift of Sight and Seeing for Life™—Clear Vision to Age 88 and Beyond. Celebrated for his scholarship, innovation, and humanity, he continues to captivate audiences as a dynamic speaker and thought leader in medicine, biotechnology, and beyond.

Dr. Kershner as the Special Interest Destination Enrichment Speaker

Dr. Robert M. Kershner is an internationally recognized eye surgeon, best-selling author of the series “Seeing for Life™-Clear Vision to Age 88 and Beyond,” award-winning educator, and engaging storyteller who has spent more than three decades exploring how humans see — and how perception shapes history. Having lectured in over 22 countries on 7 continents, and appeared in major media outlets including USA Today, Newsweek, CNN, and ABC’s Evening News, he brings science, art, exploration, and culture together in lively, accessible presentations designed for curious travelers.

Blending medical insight with history, mythology, and maritime adventure, Dr. Kershner examines how Viking navigators read the sky, why Arctic mirages fooled seasoned sailors, how Mediterranean “evil eye” traditions emerged, and why artists like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh painted light the way they did. His talks connect vision science to the regions guests are sailing through, offering a fresh and immersive way to experience each destination. Dynamic, visually rich, and interactive, his presentations invite audiences to look at the world — and the voyage — with new eyes.