MASON CITY — A Mason City optometrist has been placed on probation after state regulators alleged he used photographs taken from a former patient’s social-media account to create artificial-intelligence videos without her consent.
The Iowa Board of Optometry approved a combined statement of charges, settlement agreement and final order involving Jared Kellar in July 2026. The case was publicly listed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing on July 21.
Kellar operates Clear View Eye Clinic at 595 South Illinois Avenue in the Regency Square area of Mason City. The clinic is located near the southwest corner of the East Hy-Vee parking lot.
According to the five-page disciplinary order, the board received complaints alleging Kellar downloaded photographs of a former patient from her social-media account. The images allegedly included one photograph taken when the patient was underage.
The board alleged Kellar used the photographs to create videos with artificial intelligence without the woman’s permission.
Regulators also received information alleging Kellar asked another patient on a date during an appointment and subsequently dated her for one to two weeks. The order says Kellar admitted having a sexual relationship with that patient.
The board charged Kellar with one count of unethical conduct under Iowa law and administrative regulations governing optometrists.
Kellar resolved the case through a settlement rather than proceeding to a contested hearing. Under the agreement, he acknowledged that the allegations, if proven at a hearing, would support the discipline imposed by the board.
By accepting the settlement, Kellar waived his opportunity to contest the allegations during a formal hearing, challenge the board’s action or seek judicial review. He also waived his ability to examine the board’s investigative file.
The board imposed several sanctions and conditions:
- One year of probation
- Regular mental-health counseling
- Six hours of additional continuing education covering professional ethics
- Sworn quarterly reports documenting compliance
- Monitoring by a state case manager
- Appearances before the board if requested
- Disclosure of the disciplinary order to any other licensing boards where Kellar holds or previously held a license
Kellar was given 60 days to begin counseling and was ordered to provide his counselor with an evaluation report dated April 9, 2026. He must continue counseling for as long as recommended and complete any additional treatment directed by the counselor.
The board can communicate with the counselor to verify Kellar’s compliance.
Kellar was also ordered to complete six hours of board-approved professional-ethics education within 60 days. Those hours cannot be applied toward his regular continuing-education requirements for license renewal.
His probation will not automatically end after one year. The Board of Optometry must determine that Kellar complied with all conditions before approving its termination.
The order does not impose a fine or suspend or revoke Kellar’s optometry license. It allows him to continue practicing subject to probation and the accompanying conditions.
Despite the disciplinary action, publicly posted feedback for Kellar’s practice has been uniformly favorable. A review of the clinic’s Google business profile showed that all posted ratings were five-star reviews as of August 23.
Kellar received his Iowa optometry license in June 2007 and returned to his hometown after graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry. He then established Clear View Eye Clinic in Mason City.
The disciplinary order is considered final agency action and will remain part of Kellar’s permanent licensing file. It may be considered by the board when determining penalties for any future violations.
(TOP IMAGE via Google.)
Unless you want a libel suit, I would suggest you take down the attached photos that are of 655 S Illinois Ave and it is a photo of the ORTHODONTIST office, not OPTOMETRIST office
Thank you for correcting this.