#  Eye Witness 35 - April 2018 

 



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   ![Eye Witness #35](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/eye/files/eye-witness-35-cover.png?itok=Oe28Eh5a) 

 

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](/file_url/1955) or read highlights below.




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

   ![Dr. Jason Comander performs first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited disease](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/eye/files/comander-gene-therapy.png?itok=Y7vOvxMg) 

 

  
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](/file_url/1955)

## Faculty and Alumni Researchers Recognized at National Scientific Meeting

   ![Dr. Reza Dana](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/eye/files/reza_dana_2.png?itok=w32JPA7g) 

 

  
Congratulations to our faculty—including [Friedenwald Award recipient Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH](/news/highlights-2018-arvo-annual-meeting), and the [Dr. David L. Epstein Award recipient Janey Wiggs, MD, PhD](/news/janey-l-wiggs-md-phd-recipient-prestigious-2018-dr-david-l-epstein-award) —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

   ![Dr. Eric Pierce headshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/eye/files/eric-pierce.png?itok=PpXSYoii) 

 

  
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](/file_url/1955)

## Meet our New Faculty Members

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

Sort[Efrén González, MD ](/efrengonzalez)  
Ocular Oncology Service (Director)  
Boston Children's Hospital

[Preeti Mokka, OD](/preetimokka)  
Optometry Service  
Boston Children's Hospital

[Carolyn Graeber, MD](http://www.childrenshospital.org/directory/physicians/g/carolyn-graeber)  
Boston Children's Ophthalmology Boston Children's Hospital

[David Solá-Del Valle, MD](/davidsoladelvalle)  
Glaucoma Service  
Mass. Eye and Ear

[Anna Kirillova, OD](/annakirillova)  
Optometry Service  
Boston Children's Hospital

[Jae Young (Jane) You, MD](/jaeyoungyou)  
Cornea Service  
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

[Patrick Lee, OD](/patricklee)  
Optometry Service, Vision Rehabilitation Service  
Mass. Eye and Ear

[Ayellet Segrè, PhD](/ayelletsegre)  
Harvard Ophthalmology Ocular Genomics Institute (Genetic Biostatistician)  
Mass. Eye and Ear

[Mohammad-Hossein "Nima" Mohammad-Shahi, MD ](/mohammadmohammadshahi)  
Glaucoma Service  
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center







## 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](/annualmeeting)

## Women in Retina: Advice for Leading the Way

   ![Dr. Joan Miller with mentee](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/eye/files/joan_miller_with_mentee.png?itok=XwvqRGTO) 

 

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*](http://retinatoday.com/2018/03/women-in-retina-leading-the-way/?utm_content=69027648&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter)

## Read More...

Sort[Updates in education and clinical care](/file_url/1955#page=5)

[Faculty and alumni news](/file_url/1955#page=9)

[Join us at ARVO 2018](/file_url/1955#page=8)

[Research highlights](/file_url/1955#page=6)

[Review past events](/file_url/1955#page=4)

[Alumni Giving Society](/file_url/1955#page=15)







 

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