Dr. Mark Lynn, OD

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Get to know Optometrist Dr. Mark Lynn, who serves patients in Louisville, Kentucky. 

A seasoned optometrist, Dr. Lynn founded Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training in 2020 alongside his wife, Cindy Lynn, and son, Mark J. Lynn. 

The center has become a hub for athletes of all ages and levels, from 8-year-olds to seasoned professionals across various sports. Notably, Dr. Lynn also provides specialized care for patients dealing with various forms of traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Lynn was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in the year 1959. His journey began in Owensboro, where he crossed paths with his future wife, Cindy Erwin, during their time at Apollo High School. Their love story culminated in marriage in 1979.

His educational pursuits led him to Murray State University, where he focused on Engineering Physics and Computer Science. Subsequently, he attended the Southern College of Optometry, earning his Doctor of Optometry Degree in 1985. Dr. Lynn embarked on his professional career at Dr. Bizer’s in downtown Louisville, initially joining the practice in 1985. His dedication and contributions were instrumental, and by 1991, he had become a partner in the Bizer family practice. Under his leadership, the practice expanded significantly, growing from two locations to an impressive 19. 

In 1998, Dr. Lynn took the monumental step of purchasing the practice from the Bizer family. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence persisted, leading to the establishment of 90 offices across six states. However, in August of 2021, he decided to sell his business, subsequently opening Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training. His services are not limited to sports-related needs but also encompass those recovering from concussion, traumatic brain injury, stroke, as well as individuals dealing with general learning and reading challenges.

Extending beyond his professional endeavors, Dr. Lynn serves as the Chairman of the Kentucky State Fair Board, has held the role of Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Simmons College, and currently serves as a Board of Trustee member for both Bellarmine University and the University of Pikeville. Additionally, he actively participates as a board member on the ProRehab Board of Advisors and has contributed his time and expertise to numerous other boards and groups at both the state and national levels.

Reflecting his commitment to staying at the forefront of sports vision and optometry practices, Dr. Lynn is an active member of the International Sports Vision Association, the American Optometric Association, the Kentucky Optometric Association, the Tennessee Optometric Association, the Indiana Optometric Association, the Missouri Optometric Association, the Mississippi Optometric Association, the Greater Louisville Optometric Association, the Corporate Optometry Panel, the AOA Sports Vision Society, the AOA Contact Lens Society, and the AOA Low Vision Society.

Most recently, in 2023, he was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Bellarmine University.

Optometry is a health care profession that involves examining the eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities, as well as diagnosing and managing eye disease. Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary eye care through comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat various visual abnormalities and eye diseases. Being a regulated profession, an optometrist’s scope of practice may differ depending on the location. Thus, disorders or diseases detected outside the treatment scope of optometry (i.e. those requiring certain surgical interventions) are referred out to surgical eye specialists(ophthalmologists) who are physicians that specialize in the tertiary medical and surgical care of the eye. Optometrists typically work closely together with not only ophthalmologists and opticians, but also primary care physicians to deliver quality and efficient and patient centered eye care to the general public.

Throughout their journey, Dr. Lynn and his wife, Cindy, have remained committed to giving back to their community. Their philanthropic efforts include collaborations with organizations such as Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Kid Center for Pediatric Therapies, The Lord’s Kitchen, The Hope Gala for the American Cancer Society, The American Diabetes Association, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Second Stride, 4H, Future Farmers of America, as well as providing scholarships for students at Simmons College and the University of Louisville.

Among the honors and accolades Dr. Lynn has garnered throughout his life, some notable distinctions include being recognized as the Outstanding Young Man of America, inducted into the Burns Middle School Hall of Fame, nominated for the 2002 America’s Top Optometrist, and receiving the 2008 Beacon Award. His commitment to philanthropy has also been acknowledged through awards such as The Daniel Pitino Foundation Philanthropic Award, the 2011 Clifford C. Leadingham Award from the Kentucky Optometric Association, and the 2012 Hickman-Camp Award from The University of Louisville.

His dedication to the community was further exemplified by receiving the 2012 Louisville Philanthropist of the Year Award and the 2016 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame award. In the realm of optometry, Dr. Lynn was honored with the 2017 Presidents Award from the Kentucky Optometric Association. His alma mater recognized his contributions as well, naming him the 2017 Davis County Schools Alumni of the Year.

In recent years, Dr. Lynn’s philanthropic efforts were acknowledged with the 2018 Corporate Giving Award for Partners In Philanthropy and the 2019 Muhammad Ali KY Humanitarian of the Year Award. His contributions to the Greater Louisville community were further celebrated with the 2020 Greater Louisville Inc. Silver Fleur-de-lis Award and the 2020 Ralph Beard Humanitarian Award from Down Syndrome.

Yet, Dr. Lynn regards his family as the most cherished aspect of his life. He and his wife, who have been married for over 40 years, have been blessed with four children and seventeen grandchildren.

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