Board alleges Mason City optometrist created AI-generated video of a patient

A Mason City optometrist is being sanctioned for allegedly creating an AI-generated video of a patient by using photos from her social media accounts, and for having sex with a patient.

The Iowa Board of Optometry has ordered that Jared Kellar, 46, of Mason City’s Clear View Eye Clinic, can retain his optometry license subject to mental health counseling and one year of practice monitoring.

The order stems from the board having charged Kellar with one count of unethical conduct.

According to the board, at some unspecified time in the past it fielded complaints alleging that Kellar had downloaded photos of a patient from her social media account, including one photo taken when the woman was underage, and then used those photos to “create videos using artificial intelligence” without the woman’s consent.

The board has not publicly disclosed the nature of the videos, or whether they were personal in nature or for the promotion of his optometry practice.

The board says it also received information alleging Kellar had approached a different female patient during an optometry appointment, asked her out on a date, and then dated the woman for one to two weeks. According to the board, Kellar admitted to having sexual relations with that patient.

In order to resolve the disciplinary charge without taking the case to a hearing, the board and Kellar recently agreed to a settlement that requires him to submit to one year of practice monitoring, during which time his license will remain active but on probationary status.

Kellar will also be required to engage in “regular mental health counseling” for as long as his mental health counselor recommends. In addition, he must complete six hours of educational training on professional ethics.

Kellar did not respond to a request for comment Friday.