The practice of ophthalmology within the Hertzog family began in Long Beach in 1927. Lars Hertzog, a fourth-generation surgeon and a third-generation ophthalmologist, has been in private practice since 2001. In 2014, Hertzog Eye Center merged with Eye Physicians of Long Beach, creating a true multispecialty ophthalmic surgical practice.
Lars Hertzog attended Bellflower St. John Bosco HS and Loyola Marymount University, where he competed in intercollegiate lacrosse and served as team captain. He graduated as a member of the National Jesuit Honor Society, earning a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences. Prior to medical school, he completed a cornea/laser refractive surgery research fellowship at the USC Doheny Eye Institute, participating in some of the earliest published research on the Excimer laser, now used in LASIK. He obtained his medical degree from the USC Keck School of Medicine in 1996 and completed an internship in general surgery at the USC-affiliated Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California.
Dr. Hertzog completed a three-year surgical residency in ophthalmology at The University of Texas – Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He then remained for an additional year to complete a surgical fellowship in cornea/external disease and laser refractive surgery.
A board-certified eye surgeon, Dr. Lars Hertzog specializes in diseases and surgery of the anterior segment, including microincisional cataract surgery, advanced-technology lens implantation, laser vision correction, corneal transplantation, and glaucoma. He is actively involved in surgical teaching as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the USC/Keck School of Medicine.
In 2003, Dr. Hertzog became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, an honor held by less than one percent of ophthalmologists. The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon’s name indicate that his education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.
Lars Hertzog, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. He is delegated authority by the Federal Air Surgeon to determine which pilots can be issued a medical certificate and is required to report aeromedically relevant information to the FAA. Senior Examiners are the only Aviation Medical Examiners authorized to issue First Class (commercial, passenger transport) airman medical certificates.
Lars and his wife Michelle reside in Long Beach with their children, Tomas, Liv, and Erik. Lars is an avid competitive runner and can often be spotted running the streets of Long Beach after work and on weekends. He also enjoys surfing, paddle boarding, and coaching youth lacrosse.
