Milestones

Department of Ophthalmology

1933

First corneal transplant, Dr. Ramon Castroviejo

1935

Discovery of Hyaluronic acid and its molecular structure, Dr. Karl Meyer

1936

Microbiologic transmission of trachoma established, Dr. Philips Thygeson

1940

New methods developed for the quantitative analysis of DNA sugars, Dr. Zacharias Dische

1947

First retinoblastoma, pediatric, and adult ocular tumor clinics, Dr. Algernon B. Reese

1958

Retina clinic established, Dr. Charles Campbell

1961

First medical use of the ruby laser, Dr. Charles Campbell

1961

First basic and clinical corneal research center established, Dr. A. Gerard DeVoe and Dr. Anthony Donn

1965

Keratoprosthesis developed, Dr. Hernando Cardona

1966

Development of System for preserving corneas until transplant, Dr. Saiichi Mishima

1968

First argon laser developed, Dr. Francis L'Esperance, Jr.

1968

Confocal microscopy first used to detect new structural features of the eye, Dr. David Maurice

1980

First wide field specular microscope developed, Dr. Charles Koester

1983

Development of Healon, a hyaluronic acid polymer that transformed cataract and corneal surgery, Dr. Endre Balazs

1983

Pioneering excimer laser surgery, Dr. Stephen Trokel and Dr. Francis A. L'Esperance, Jr.

1994

First human retinal cell transplants, Dr. Peter Gouras

1996

Development of latanoprost (Xalatan™) for the treatment of glaucoma, Dr. Laszlo Bito

1996

FDA approval of Perfluorocarbons for retinal surgery, Dr. Stanley Chang

2006

Discovery of Factors H & B, significant genes contributing to age-related macular degeneration. Rando Allikmets, Ph.D. and AMD Study Group