AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:
Dr. Folden specializes in cataract, LASIK, and refractive lens implant surgery. He is certified on the LENSAR™ femtosecond laser for cataract surgery, Ziemer™ femtosecond laser and the WaveLight® EX500 topographic-guided excimer laser, providing customized refractive cataract surgery, LASIK, and PRK.
His interest and expertise in cataract surgery includes Micro-Incision (MICS) techniques and the use of the LENSAR™ femtosecond laser. As an early adopter of femtosecond laser technology, he is now among the most experienced laser cataract surgeons in the state of Minnesota. Dr. Folden was also instrumental in bringing Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL) technology to Minneapolis-St. Paul and is the area’s most experienced LAL surgeon. As a board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Folden has performed over 10,000 cataract, LASIK, and refractive eye surgeries.
Dr. Folden has designed surgical instruments used by laser cataract surgeons worldwide, enhancing safety and comfort for patients undergoing this procedure. He is also active in research, publishing his work in various journals including the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
His experience with Advanced Technology (AT) Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) includes the LAL, accommodating, multifocal, extended depth of focus (EDOF) and astigmatism-correcting (Toric) IOLs. He was the first resident surgeon at the University of Minnesota to implant AT IOLs, which give patients undergoing eye surgery reduced dependence on glasses, bifocals, and/or contact lenses.
Dr. Folden was born in Minot, North Dakota, and later attended high school in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he was Valedictorian of his high school class. He then graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bethel University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. Before beginning medical school, Dr. Folden worked as a high school math and physics teacher and was a baseball coach. He then received his medical degree (MD) from the University of North Dakota where he gained recognition for his research in cardiac physiology and infectious disease. Dr. Folden then completed his internship at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota where he received awards for outstanding patient care, clinical skills (Harry Plotke Award), and scientific research (Harry Friedman Research Award).
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS:
Folden Femto Dissector. Rhein Medical, Inc. Product #: 8-10144. February, 2015 – present. Description: A single surgical instrument designed for simplifying laser-created corneal incision opening and improving post-operative comfort for patients undergoing laser cataract surgery.
Folden – Lobanoff Femto Dissector. MicroSurgical Technology (MST). Product #: AH4610. 2020 – present. Description: Double-ended dissector used for opening laser-created corneal incisions in cataract surgery. Its novel design provides added safety and control for contact and non-contact based femtosecond lasers.
PUBLICATIONS:
Folden, D.V. (2021) August Consultation #5. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 47:8, 1098-1099
Folden, D.V., Groves, N. (2015) Surgeon-designed tool eases opening of laser-created corneal incisions. Double-ended dissector combines semi-blunted leading tip with sharp-edge design. Ophthalmology Times 40:8, 23
Cooke, D.L., Davison, J.A., Folden, D.V., Holladay, J.T., Masket, S. (2014) Treating, eliminating negative dysphotopsia. EyeWorld 19:4, 38-42
Folden, D.V. (2013) Neodymium:YAG laser anterior capsulectomy: Surgical option in the management of negative dysphotopsia. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 39:7, 1110-1115
Folden, D.V., Kramarevsky, N.Y., Brown, C.D., Kaufman, S.C. (2008) Microkeratome Cut Time as a Variable in Endothelial Keratoplasty Graft Thickness. Archives of Ophthalmology (submitted)
Folden, D.V., Kramarevsky, N.Y., Brown, C.D., Kaufman, S.C. (2008) Intrachamber Pressure and Donor Corneal Thickness in an Artificial Anterior Chamber System. Archives of Ophthalmology (submitted)
Folden, D.V., Wu, C.W., Hardten, D.R., Afiat, S., Mellema, P.A., Hoffman, G.M., Voelker, P.A., Melicher Larson, J.S., Connett, J.E., Doughman, D.J. (2009) Use of Cobalt Blue Light in Grading Cataract and Estimating Vision Loss. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 35:2, 312-317
Folden, D.V., Lee, M.S., Ryan, E.J., Jr. (2008) Interferon Beta-1 Alpha Associated Retinopathy in Patients Treated for Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology 70:13 (Part 2), 1153-1155
Olsen, T.W., Feng, X., Wabner, K., Contson, S.R., Sierra, D., Folden, D.V., Smith, M.E., Cameron, J.D. (2006) Cannulation of the Suprachoroidal Space: A Novel Drug Delivery Methodology to the Posterior Segment. American Journal of Ophthalmology 142:5, 777-787
Folden, D.V., Machayya, J.A., Sahmoun, A.E., Beal, J.R., Holzman, G.S., Helgerson, S.D., Lo, T.S. (2005) Estimating the proportion of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: two definitions used in the USA yield dramatically different estimates. Journal of Hospital Infection 60, 329-332
Folden, D.V., Gupta, A., Sharma, A.C., Li, S.Y., Saari J.T., Ren, J. (2003) Malondialdehyde inhibits cardiac contractile function in ventricular myocytes via a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent mechanism. British Journal of Pharmacology 139, 1310-1316
Folden, D.V., Jones, W. (1999) Promoter Analysis of the Human Prostate-Specific, Homeobox Gene, NKX3.1. BIOS 70:4, 158-165
