Janey L. Wiggs, MD, PhD, the Paul Austin Chandler Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, received the 2023 Heed-Gutman Award from the Society of Heed Fellows at its annual luncheon at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting. The prestigious Heed-Gutman Award is given annually to a former Heed Fellow from the Society of Heed Fellows. Awardees have contributed to the field of ophthalmology through original discoveries and investigations which produced major advancements, and extraordinary and distinguished leadership service.
An internationally renowned medical geneticist, glaucoma specialist, and clinician scientist, Dr. Wiggs studies the genetic underpinnings of glaucoma, as well as other inherited ocular disorders. Her pioneering work has led to the development of effective screening and prevention strategies for glaucoma and other inherited eye diseases. Dr. Wiggs has identified genetic factors that underlie various forms of glaucoma, including adult onset primary open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, juvenile open angle glaucoma, and others.