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Home » Our Eye Doctors

Our Eye Doctors

Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision - many of which do not have obvious symptoms. Eye doctors know how age and risk factors affect vision over time for young and old, and they understand the benefits and features of corrective lenses including eyeglasses and contacts.

Our optometrists take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing and treating potential vision problems.

Meet Our Doctors:

Jeff Ahrns

Jeffrey R. Ahrns, O.D.

After completing his studies at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Dr. Ahrns initiated his career with Primary EyeCare Associates in 1981.  Disease evaluation and treatment with emphasis in glaucoma, diabetes, cataract and macular degeneration remain areas of special interest for Dr. Ahrns within the general optometric practice.  With the opportunity to access many cutting edge diagnostic technologies and facilities as well as a caring and well trained staff that Primary EyeCare provides, Dr. Ahrns enjoys providing patient care at the height of the optometric profession.  He practices in the Sidney and Ft. Loramie offices.

Dr Ahrns is a member of the American and Ohio Optometric Associations. Locally he has served in the Sidney Lions Club, Ft. Loramie Kiwanis, the Ft. Loramie Community Service Club, Chamber of Commerce, GYM Committee and Board of Directors of Arrowhead Golf Club.

Jeff and his wife, Debbie, enjoy their two children Alyson, a senior public relations manager in Manhatten and Caleb, who is the managing Director of the Clinic at OSU Hospital. Debbie dedicated her efforts in special education as an Early Innervation Specialist for the Auglaize Co. Board of MRDD, and is enjoying her retirement teaching juvenile golf and volunteering with autism support organizations. Together they enjoy traveling, golf, their horses and the experiences shared with their children.

Denise Welker

Denise L. Welker (Gutman), O.D.

Denise L. Welker (Gutman), O.D. graduated from the Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1987 as Dr. Gutman. Originally from Piqua, Ohio she moved to Sidney in 1989 to join Primary EyeCare Associates.  She specializes in specialty contact lens fittings as well as pediatric eye care, but enjoys the general practice of Optometry at the Sidney and Troy locations.

Dr. Welker has been a member of the American Optometric Association, The Ohio Optometric Association, Contact Lens Section, and Ohio Extension Program for vision therapy and enjoys making Real Eyes presentations for area school children.

Residing in Sidney with her husband Dave, Dr. Welker enjoys golf, knitting, reading, singing in the church choir and attending community events.  Locally Dr. Welker has been a member of The American Red Cross Board of Shelby County, board member of the Sidney Shelby Chamber of Commerce and is past treasurer of Zone 9 of the Ohio Optometric Association.

John E. Beigel RETIRED O.D.

John E. Beigel RETIRED O.D.

Born and raised in Sidney, Ohio and graduated from Sidney High School in 1981.  He has three brothers (Jeff, Jerry and Joe) all of whom are sons of Dr. John and Janis Beigel.  He pursued a teaching degree at BGSU before transferring to Wittenberg University to obtain his pre-med training and Bachelor of Science degree in 1985.  He went on to Ohio State College of Optometry and graduated in 1989 with his Doctorate degree and joined Primary EyeCare Associates in 1989.   He married his high school sweetheart, has two children (Andy and Kristin) and currently serves as president of Primary EyeCare Associates. He has supported various community and professional organizations over the years including; Lions Club past president, The Salvation Army-past president, Zone governor for the Ohio Optometric Association, Wilson Memorial Hospital board member, Raise the Roof for the arts- past president, ECPN district advisor and enjoys wood working, making bowls on a lathe, creating stained glass artwork and hopes to add a few more hobbies in the future. Professionally he enjoys managing refractive surgery patients, diabetics, macular degeneration patients and is planning on obtaining his certification in genetic testing to offer to his patients in the near future.  'I generally just like helping people and that’s pretty much what makes my day’.

Karen Fortman

Karen T. Fortman, O.D.

Dr. Karen Fortman has been enjoying taking care of the vision and eye health of her family, friends and community with Primary EyeCare Associates since 1994. She attended Fort Loramie High School and The Ohio State University College of Optometry. She currently sees patients of all ages in our Sidney and Fort Loramie offices. Dr. Fortman participates in InfantSEE and Realeyes, volunteer programs to educate parents, children and teachers about the importance of a lifetime of vision and eye health care.  She also enjoys spending time with students interested in a career in optometry, sharing her enthusiasm and love for the profession.

Dr. Fortman and her husband, Jim, are the parents of two young adults and reside in Fort Loramie.  She has served on a number of community service organizations including The Shelby County Community Foundation, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Ft. Loramie Music Boosters and Football Boosters Organizations and the Business Education Partnership committee of Shelby County. She is a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

Scott Schwartz

Scott M. Schwartz, O.D.

Dr. Scott M. Schwartz has been with Primary EyeCare Associates since 2000.  He went to undergraduate school at Wittenberg University and graduated in 1996 with a major in biology and a minor in biochemistry.  After graduating Wittenberg, he attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry and graduated in 2000.  Dr. Schwartz is trained to manage ocular diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy as well as many others conditions.

He enjoys fitting many forms of contact lenses including astigmatism correcting and bifocal contact lenses.  In addition, Dr. Schwartz is credentialed to fit scleral contact lenses which are used to fit irregular corneas such as keratoconus.  He participates in the Realeyes program which involves speaking to many local elementary students discussing how the eye works and functions.

He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, St. Patrick Church in Troy, and is a current board member of the Miami County YMCA.  In his free time, Dr. Schwartz enjoys golfing, attending different forms of motorsports events, and spending time with his family.  He resides in Troy with his wife Alexis, and their two boys, Brayden and Devin.

Jacob Luthman 1

Jacob A. Luthman, O.D.

Dr. Jacob Luthman grew up in Saint Marys, Ohio. He graduated from Saint Marys Memorial High School in 2010. After High School he attended The Ohio State University where he completed his undergrad with a degree in Biology. He then went on to complete his Doctorate of Optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. Dr. Luthman became nationally certified for the treatment and management of ocular disease and focuses on patient care and education.

Dr. Luthman is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association. His primary interests for vision care include primary care optometry and the treatment of glaucoma. Dr. Luthman is looking forward to being able to provide excellent optometric care to patients of all ages in the Shelby and Miami County areas.

Dr. Luthman currently lives in Troy. He enjoys playing golf, reading, and watching his favorite sports teams in his spare time.

Katrina M. Schlarman, O. D.

Katrina M. Schlarman, O. D.

Dr. Schlarman grew up in Osgood, OH. After graduating from Marion Local High School in 2009, she attended The Ohio State University where she graduated Magna Cum Ladde in 2013 with her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Dr. Schlarman then continued her education at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and graduated top of her class with the Beta Sigma Kappa Silver Medal Award with her Doctorate of Optometry in 2017. Dr. Schlarman is a current member of the AOA and the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society. She was also a past Zone Governor of the OOA in 2019. Dr. Schlarman’s primary interests for vision care includes Ocular Disease and nutrition, specialty contact lenses and pediatric binocular vision. Dr. Schlarman currently resides in Osgood with her husband Kevin, her two daughters Lucy and Avalyn and their border collie, Bandit. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Eric J. Beigel O.D.

Eric J. Beigel O.D.

Born and raised in Sidney, Ohio. He is the son of Joe and Cathy Beigel. After graduating from Sidney High School in 2015, he attended Ohio State University where he graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He continued his education at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, where he would graduate cum laude in 2022 with Clinical Honors and recognition from Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society.

Dr. Beigel enjoys practicing wide scope optometry with primary interest in ocular disease, specialty contact lenses, and pediatrics. Dr. Beigel currently resides in Sidney where he enjoys staying active with weight lifing, biking, basketball and golf.

Carter D. Bensman, O.D.

Carter D. Bensman, O.D.

Dr. Carter Bensman is from Anna, Ohio. He graduated from Anna High School in 2014. After high school he attended the Ohio State University and graduated Cum Laude with Bachelor's degree in Biology.  He continued his optometric education at the Ohio State College of Optometry in 2022.

Dr. Bensman is trained to manage and treat ocular disease, and looks forward to helping patients of all ages. His special interests in optometry include treatment of glaucoma, fitting of speciality contact lenses, and vision in a sport setting. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Ohio Optometric Association, and the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Bensman currently resides in Bellefontaine with his wife Ashlyn. He enjoys basketball, golf, and softball as well as watching his Ohio State Buckeyes.

Andrew G. Roy O. D., O.D.

Andrew G. Roy O.D.

Originally from British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Roy earned his undergraduate degree from TRU in Chemical Biology in 2004. He then attended the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry graduating with honors in 2008. After practicing optometry in Ohio for a year upon graduation, he moved back to British Columbia where he practiced in the northern community of Williams Lake. He managed the practice in Williams Lake for the past six years before relocating back to Ohio.

Dr. Roy enjoys all aspects of optometry but especially ocular disease and pediatrics. He is currently providing care at the Sidney and Troy locations and is excited to be part of the Vision Therapy team at Primary EyeCare. Dr. Roy is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Assoication.

Dr. Roy and his wife Sarah have eight children. When not in clinic he enjoys spending time playing board games with his family, reading books to his children and cooking, as well as playing hockey and golf.

Dr. Mark E. Schmidt, O. D.

Dr. Mark E. Schmidt, O. D.

Dr. Schmidt was born and raised in New Bremen. He Graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. He practices general optometry which includes fitting contact lenses and diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.

Dr. Schmidt and his wife, Chris, have four adult children and one grandson with a second on the way