Dr. Caplan was born in New Orleans in 1915, the son of immigrant parents from East Europe. He graduated from Fortier High School in 1931. He attended Tulane University. He received a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
He received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1944. He received numerous academic awards in medical school, including the prestigious Walter Reed Memorial Prize. While attending medical school, Dr Caplan also practiced optometry part-time and managed the optical department at Maison Blanche Department Store.Dr. Caplan completed a medical internship at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans in 1945. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital in 1947.
In 1938 Dr. Caplan established the Caplan Eye Clinic, which still provides eye care services in the New Orleans area. After building the practice into one of the most respected eye clinics in the region, Dr. Caplan retired in 2002 at the age of 87. He still went to his office at Caplan Eye Clinic nearly every day afterwards to visit with patients and staff.
Dr. Caplan was a member of the medical staffs of the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital, Touro Infirmary and East Jefferson General Hospital. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital for many years and was elected President of the medical staff in 1970.
Dr. Caplan was a founding member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology. He served in numerous leadership roles in the Academy for more than 40 years. Dr. Caplan served as President of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology from 1972-1974.At the time of his death, he had been married for 55 years to his devoted wife, Janice. Mrs. Caplan was involved in nearly every aspect of building the Caplan Eye Clinic into a highly successful and respected medical practice.
Dr. Caplan is survived by his 3 adult children and their spouses. He had seven grandchildren.
