Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD

Internationally recognized as the founder of modern corneal science, Dr. Dohlman’s pioneering research has forever changed the way conditions of the cornea are understood and treated. A generous mentor and teacher, he was one of the department's most cherished faculty members.

Father of Modern Corneal Science

Born in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1922, Dr. Dohlman earned his Medical Degree and a Doctor of Medical Research from the University of Lund in Sweden and completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the Eye Clinic of the University of Lund.

In 1958, he was recruited to work at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear (then known as The Retina Foundation Institute of Boston) by his former mentor and celebrated retina surgeon, Charles Schepens, MD, and in 1961, he joined the Harvard Ophthalmology faculty.

Dr. Dohlman's work is considered classic literature on understanding corneal biology. Over the course of his seven-decade career at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Ophthalmology, he spearheaded investigations of corneal physiology that have laid the groundwork for clinical practice in dry eye disease, corneal burns, wound healing, corneal transplantation, and keratoprosthesis.

A Career of Firsts

While most known for his innovative cornea research and advances in clinical care, Dr. Dohlman has also had an enormous impact on Harvard Ophthalmology and Mass Eye and Ear through leadership and teaching.

Shortly after joining Mass Eye and Ear in 1958, Dr. Dohlman established the Cornea Service at Mass Eye and Ear—the first cornea subspecialty clinic in the world. Under the leadership of Dr. Dohlman and his successors, including our current Director, Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH, the service has since grown to become one of the largest and most renowned in the world.

Dr. Dohlman also created the first formal structured cornea fellowship program (also at Mass Eye and Ear) and was first to pioneer several new surgical advances in corneal transplants (keratoplasty) and artificial corneas (keratoprosthesis). The biggest of these surgical innovations is undoubtedly the Boston Keratoprosthesis. Invented by Dr. Dohlman in the 1960s, this innovative procedure, commonly known as the “Boston KPro,” involves implanting an artificial cornea to replace one that is diseased or damaged. The Boston KPro remains the most successful and commonly used artificial cornea in the world today, which has restored sight to more than 19,000 people globally. 

In 1974, Dr. Dohlman was appointed Chief of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear. He remained in these roles until 1989, when he stepped back to focus more on his research and teaching and passed the reigns of Chairmanship to Frederick Jakobiec, MD, DSc.

Evolution of the Boston KPro

Dr. Dohlman continued to work with new generations of clinician scientists and vision researchers to improve the Boston KPro. He worked with Chair Joan W. Miller, MD, to recruit James Chodosh, MD, MPH, in 2008, and together they developed the ‘Lucia’ type I keratoprosthesis, a new FDA-approved design. With Dr. Chodosh's departure in 2022 to become Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of New Mexico, leadership of the KPro program was taken up by Dr. Dohlman’s mentees, Eleftherios Paschalis, PhD, and Thomas Dohlman, MD. Together they will carry on this important program and Dr. Claes Dohlman’s vision into the future. 

Among the Most Honored Ophthalmologists in the World

Dr. Dohlman received numerous awards and honors for his seminal contributions to corneal research and clinical care, including:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology Laureate Award
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Friedenwald Award
• Swedish Medical Society Gullstrand Medal
• Cornea Society Castroviejo Medal
• New England Ophthalmological Society Award
• Massachusetts Eye and Ear Distinguished Service Award
• Swedish Ophthalmological Society Honorary Award
• Named Harvard Medical School Professorship (Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology)
• Order of Vasa, Sweden
• Honorary degrees from the Université de Montréal and Harvard University

Most recently, Dr. Dohlman was honored with the 2022 António Champalimaud Vision Award—considered the “Nobel Prize” of Vision—for his vast contributions to cornea research. He was joined by his family and colleagues for the award ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal to celebrate with his co-Laureate, Gerrit R. J. Melles, MD, PhD, founder of the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery in Rotterdam. This award was a truly fitting recognition of Dr. Dohlman’s many professional contributions over a lifetime of work.  

Generous Teacher, Mentor, and Friend

During Dr. Dohlman's tenure at Harvard Ophthalmology, he trained more than 200 cornea specialists—more than any other ophthalmologist in the world. He continued to work with and mentor trainees well into his 80s and 90s, and his dedication to teaching is reflected in the three Resident Teacher of the Year awards he was honored with during his career. 

Dr. Dohlman’s work has benefited millions of people around the world, and his legacy of knowledge thrives today in the hundreds of fellows, students, and colleagues he has trained and mentored over the years. Harvard Medical School—and indeed, the whole world—is a far better place today because of his remarkable talent, contributions, and character. He will continue to inspire all of us to greater accomplishment.