In issue #35 of Eye Witness, you'll learn the latest accomplishments within Harvard Ophthalmology and across our affiliates and partners. 

Download the full issue or read highlights below.

Mass. Eye and Ear Performs First FDA-approved Gene Therapy for an Inherited Disease

Jason Comander, MD, PhD, Associate Director of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass. Eye and Ear and Harvard Ophthalmology faculty member, performed a landmark gene therapy procedure on a 13-year-old boy with a rare form of blindness.

The treatment, commercially identified as Luxterna™, has been shown to improve visual function in children and adults with inherited retinal disease caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene. Mass. Eye and Ear is one of just eight medical centers in the United States and the only site in New England that is certified to offer patients this life-changing therapy. Chair and Chief, Joan W. Miller, MD, talks more about this pivotal moment in medicine

Faculty and Alumni Researchers Recognized at National Scientific Meeting

Congratulations to our faculty—including Friedenwald Award recipient Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH, and the Dr. David L. Epstein Award recipient Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD —as well as several alumni who are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to vision research, education, and service at the 2018 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in May.

Dr. Eric Pierce Promoted to Professor

Eric Pierce, MD, PhD, was promoted to Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and named the William F. Chatlos Professor of Ophthalmology. Internationally renowned for his pioneering research on the molecular genetics of inherited retinal degenerations, Dr. Pierce is discovering new information about disease pathogenesis to develop gene therapies for vision loss. Learn about his many groundbreaking innovations

Meet our New Faculty Members

Several Harvard Ophthalmology affiliates have welcomed new faculty in recent months. We're delighted to be joined by:

Join us at the Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion

The Harvard Ophthalmology Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion is one of our most exciting and important events of the year. The two-day, CME-accredited* event will feature faculty and alumni lectures, award presentations, a poster contest and much more.

Joseph F. Rizzo II, Jr., MD: Mariana D. Mead Lecturer
David Glendenning Cogan Professor of Ophthalmology in the field of Neuro-Ophthalmology Harvard Medical School
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Mass. Eye and Ear

Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA: 2018 Distinguished Research Achievement Awardee
Senior Director, Alphabet Verily Life Sciences
Distinguished University Professor BA Field Chair of Ophthalmological Research University of Illinois College of Medicine

C. Stephen Foster, MD: 2018 Distinguished Clinical Achievement Awardee
Professor of Ophthalmology, part-time, Harvard Medical School Founder and President, Ocular Immunology & Uveitis Foundation

Learn more and register

Women in Retina: Advice for Leading the Way

Chair and Chief Joan W. Miller, MD, looks back on her career and offers valuable advice to young, female retina specialists. Read her interview in Retina Today

Read More...