Albert and Jakobiec’’s Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology: Volume 3, Part 1

Dan Albert, MD, began his academic career at Yale University and continued at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992 to become department chair, then chair emeritus of ophthalmology and visual sciences, the Frederick Allison Davis Chair; the Lorenz Zimmerman Professor; and founding director of the McPherson Eye Research Institute. Dr. Albert is now a researcher for Oregon Health & Science University and his research focuses on the treatment and prevention of ocular cancers; particularly the use of vitamin D analogues, resveratrol and its analogues, and anti-angiogenic peptides in the treatment and prevention of ocular cancer and in reversing angiogenesis in the wet form of macular degeneration.

Joan Miller, MD, is Chief and Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and is an internationally recognized expert on retinal disorders. As a vitreoretinal physician in Mass. Eye and Ear’s Retina Service, she treats patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal degenerations, and diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Miller received her medical degree and ophthalmology residency training from Harvard Medical School and then completed fellowships in ophthalmology research and vitreoretinal surgery at Mass. Eye and Ear. Dr. Miller is the first female physician to achieve the rank of Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and the first woman to chair the Department of Ophthalmology. She is also the first woman appointed as Chief of Ophthalmology at both Mass. Eye and Ear and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to these roles and responsibilities, she also co-directs Mass. Eye and Ear’s Angiogenesis Laboratory.

Dr. Miller, along with Dr. Evangelos Gragoudas, are credited with developing photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne(R)). This therapy was the first AMD treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and drug regulatory agencies worldwide. In addition, Dr. Miller is recognized for co-discovering the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eye disease and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of VEGF inhibitors. This work formed the scientific basis of anti-angiogenic ophthalmic therapies, which are widely used to prevent vision loss in AMD and other retinal diseases by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage. Dr. Miller continues to conduct research to improve therapeutic options for retinal disease.

Dr. Miller has received numerous prestigious awards. For her contributions to the development of anti-angiogenic retinal therapies, she was a co-recipient of the 2014 Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award, which is the highest distinction in ophthalmology and visual science. She also was the first woman to receive the Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology.

Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA is Dean in the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois and is Professor of Ophthalmology, Bioengineering and Pharmacology as well as the B.A. Field Chair in Ophthalmologic Research. Dr. Azar is an internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon who brings experience in administration, research, education and clinical practice to his position as Dean of the College of Medicine at University of Illinois.

He joined the faculty in 2006 as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Previously he was a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Cornea Service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Senior Scientist at Schepens Eye Institute and a faculty member at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is a leader in basic science and clinically related vision research, making significant contributions to the treatment of corneal diseases and to advances in refractive surgery through mathematical analyses and applications of advanced optics. His basic science research on matrix metalloproteinases in corneal wound healing and angiogenesis has been continually funded by the National Eye Institute R01 award since 1993.

Dr. Azar is the author of more than 400 scientific articles and book chapters. He is the editor of 14 books in ophthalmology and holds 15 patents. He has been named one of The Best Doctors in America or recognized among Castle Connolly’s Regional Top Doctors in America annually since 1994. He serves as a trustee for the Chicago Ophthalmological Society and for the Association of Research and Vision in Ophthalmology. Dr. Azar has received multiple leadership awards, including the 2009 Lans Distinguished Award and the University of Illinois at Chicago Scholar Award.