Dr. Karlen joined the Kaiser Permanente Milpitas Medical offices
In 1990. He specializes in refractive surgery, cataract surgery, lacrimal system surgery, and laser surgery.

Dr. Karlen was born and raised in Bakersfield, California, attended Fresno State University as an undergraduate and later went on to Albert Einstein Medical School from 1982 to 1986. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Boston University in 1990 and received his board certification in ophthalmology in 1991.

Currently Dr Karlen is the chief of Ophthalmology for Santa Clara and Milpitas offices.

Dr Karlen is a member of the California Medical Association and Santa Clara County Medical Society. He is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He was voted by the Bay Area Consumers’ Checkbook as one of the areas “ Outstanding Ophthalmologists”.

Dr Karlen is the vice president on the board of Help Is On The Way Ministries.

Dr Karlen is married to Emma Karlen and they have two daughters, Rachel and Sarah.

Dr Karlen speaks and understands limited Spanish. When he is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. He also likes playing the flamenco guitar, backpacking, skiing, tennis, scuba diving, cooking, rock climbing, wine tasting, and traveling. Dr Karlen has done a considerable amount of charity work in Ghana. He visits Ghana on a yearly basis to work in the eye clinics and teach techniques to the local ophthalmologists.