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Advancing Our Sight-Saving Vision Research
Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has stood at the forefront of vision care for more than six decades, tackling the world’s most challenging eye diseases with unwavering dedication and innovative approaches. Our pioneering work in glaucoma, agerelated macular degeneration, corneal disease, ocular oncology, and numerous other specialties continues transforming patients’ lives worldwide.
In this issue of Images, we spotlight revolutionary advances in cataract surgery, including the sophisticated array of intraocular lens options now offering patients freedom from glasses after treatment. These innovations represent just one facet of our commitment to enhancing quality of life through superior vision care.
You’ll also discover Bascom Palmer’s leadership in combating pediatric glaucoma—a condition that can be successfully treated with prompt diagnosis and expert surgical intervention. We’re particularly proud to share the touching story of a seven-month-old with congenital glaucoma whose foster mother traveled halfway around the world to seek our specialists’ care, resulting in sightsaving surgery that changed both their lives forever.
Our commitment to global vision health extends through our international service, including our residency electives, where our physicians gain invaluable experience while delivering critical eye care worldwide. Closer to home, these same dedicated professionals conduct outreach programs providing free vision screenings throughout underserved communities in South Florida.
This issue also highlights our most ambitious research initiatives: groundbreaking work toward eye transplantation with visual restoration through the optic nerve and the development of revolutionary imaging technology offering new insights into neurological disorders.
It’s a testament to our exceptional team that U.S. News & World Report has ranked Bascom Palmer as the nation’s premier eye hospital for the 23rd time, while Doximity has recognized our residency program as the country’s finest. While these accolades are gratifying, our greatest pride comes from serving communities in need and advancing the field of ophthalmology through compassionate care and cutting-edge research.
None of these achievements would be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our donors and benefactors who share our commitment to excellence. Your support forms the foundation of our work and drives every breakthrough, every successful treatment, and every moment of restored vision. With your continued partnership, Bascom Palmer will continue making lifechanging discoveries in every field of ophthalmology.
Thank you for helping to advance our mission of preserving and restoring the precious gift of sight.
Sincerely,
Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
“We are committed to delivering the best possible care for adult and pediatric cataract patients, including those with multiple vision issues. Our Institute is investing in a new cataract surgical suite on the third floor of our Miami hospital while enhancing support services for patients at our growing network of satellites. This will be a powerful center for our cataract program, led by our multidisciplinary team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and other specialists.” – Dr. Eduardo C. Alfonso
Snowflake Cataract
Photo credit: Alexander Higgins
Bascom Palmer Invests in Leading-Edge Cataract Surgery
For more than five decades, Chile-born Mario Kreutzberger hosted Univision’s hit variety show “Sabado Gigante” under the stage name “Don Francisco.” Now, the 84-year-old Miamian can work on his social media and online projects with better vision, thanks to Bascom Palmer cataract surgeon Sonia Yoo, M.D., the Greentree Hickman Chair in Ophthalmology.
“My cataracts were getting worse, and I wasn’t able to drive,” said Kreutzberger, who is also being treated by Harry W. Flynn Jr., M.D., the J. Donald M. Gass Chair in Ophthalmology, for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). “Now, I can see much better and can drive again while still wearing glasses for reading. I am very grateful to Dr. Yoo and her team. She is an outstanding doctor.”
Cataracts are the most common cause of functional vision problems in South Florida and worldwide, as the eye’s lens gradually darkens or thickens with age and must be surgically removed to restore good sight. Common symptoms include cloudy vision, difficulty seeing at night, glares from lights, or faded colors. While cataracts occur most frequently in aging adults, they can also be caused by eye injuries, infections, certain medications, or other conditions. Children can also be born with congenital cataracts or develop them at a young age.
“Cataract surgery is truly transformative. Replacing a cloudy lens with a clear implant not only resolves the cataract issue but can simultaneously correct other vision problems. This dual benefit significantly enhances a patient’s quality of life, allowing them to experience the world with renewed clarity and independence,” said William W. Culbertson, M.D., director of cornea and refractive surgery services and the Lou Higgins Chair in Ophthalmology.
“We are committed to delivering the best possible care for adult and pediatric cataract patients, including those with multiple vision issues,” said Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s director; chair of the department of ophthalmology and holder of the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology.
“Our Institute is investing in a new cataract surgical suite on the third floor of our Miami hospital while enhancing support services for patients at our growing network of satellites,” added Alfonso. “This will be a powerful center for
our cataract program, led by our multidisciplinary team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and other specialists. We also serve as a resource for community ophthalmologists who often refer patients with complicated vision conditions.”
Delivering concierge-like care
Cataracts account for about 75 percent of Bascom Palmer’s surgical procedures, according to Erin Van Dyke, director of clinical operations, refractive and cataract services. They are performed in Miami, Naples, and Palm Beach Gardens, and will be among the services at Bascom Palmer’s new offices at UHealth SoLéMia in North Miami when it opens later this year.
“We are streamlining our cataract surgery workflows to offer a concierge-like service from initial evaluation through treatment and follow-up care,” Van Dyke said. “Since launching this initiative, the response from our patients has been very favorable. They appreciate the convenience of accessing our skilled team who will conduct an in-depth evaluation and recommend the best treatment strategy.
The new state-of-the-art cataract surgery suite will enhance patient care and include dedicated laser surgery rooms and the latest imaging technology within a comfortable and soothing
Dr. Sonia Yoo
environment. Under Yoo’s medical direction, the suite will be staffed by optometrists, surgical coordinators, and nurses who understand the nuances of cataract care and work closely with the Institute’s cataract surgeons. “We are investing our resources into this new suite and plan to introduce similar approaches in our satellite facilities.”
Careful evaluation
A careful, in-depth evaluation provides the foundation for successful cataract surgery at any age, according to Yoo. “Because every patient and every eye is different, we use the latest imaging technology to identify the right power of the replacement lens,” she said. “A one-size-fits-all approach does not deliver optimal results.”
For instance, according to Yoo, one eye may be slightly longer or shorter than average, making it essential to precisely measure the eye’s size, shape, and curvature. The cornea may also have scars or irregularities from prior refractive surgery, such as LASIK or radial keratotomy procedures that reshape the cornea to correct nearsightedness (myopia).
“We conduct various advanced imaging tests on each eye to determine its condition,” said Yoo. “This allows our cataract surgeons to make personalized recommendations for each patient and each eye.”
A quick procedure
In the second century B.C.E., the Greek physician Galen used sharp needles to dislodge blinding cataracts from the center of the eye, a procedure called “couching” that was refined in France about
250 years ago. In 1949, British ophthalmologist
Sir Harold Ridley implanted the first hard plastic intraocular lens in a patient’s eye, providing the foundation for today’s modern cataract surgery. In the 1970s, a study from Bascom Palmer was one of the first to demonstrate the safety of intraocular lens implants.
Today, cataract surgery has an excellent track record in safely restoring good vision in patients of all ages. “This is a 10-minute procedure done with topical anesthesia and relaxing sedation that is easy and pain-free for most patients,” said Kendall E. Donaldson, M.D., M.S., the Rodgers Clark Chair in Ophthalmology and medical director of Bascom Palmer Plantation. “Cataract surgery can definitely improve a patient’s overall quality of life.”
This surgery is typically a two-step process. First, the cloudy or opaque lens is broken up by ultrasound or laser technology, a process called phacoemulsification, and removed through a tiny incision made by a microblade or a laser. The surgeon then implants a rolled-up lens through the incision, unrolls it, and positions it inside the capsule (a remnant of the natural lens) that holds and supports the lens. Usually, only one eye is treated at a time, and at least a week between surgeries is needed to allow the first eye to heal.
For a day after the surgery, the eye is protected by a clear shield, and the patient uses specially formulated drops for several weeks to reduce inflammation and minimize the risk of infection.
A Bascom Palmer specialist performs a follow-up check to monitor the healing and position of the new lens.
Advanced lens technology
One of Bascom Palmer’s most important resources is access to virtually every type of implantable lens, helping ensure the right solution for each cataract patient. The options include:
• Monofocal fixed focus lenses that provide clear vision at a distance but require glasses for intermediate or reading vision
• Monovision lenses, one eye focused at distance vision and the other at near vision for reading
• Toric lenses that improve vision for patients with astigmatism
Dr. Kendall Donaldson
• Multifocal lenses that provide distance, intermediate, and reading vision but require an otherwise healthy eye. These lenses have a higher chance of night vision issues like halos
• Adjustable lens that are finetuned after implantation
Along with using advanced imaging, Bascom Palmer’s specialists discuss the patient’s vision goals, such as achieving the best possible distance vision for sports with monofocal fixed focus lenses or minimizing the use of glasses or contacts with monovision lenses.
“There are many patients whose cataract surgery lens power may be difficult to predict due to prior surgeries (LASIK, PRK or RK) or they may have a very long, short, or irregularly shaped eye. In these atypical eyes, the light adjustable lens allows us to fine-tune the prescription after the lens has been implanted. This helps increase freedom from glasses after surgery,” said Donaldson. “We also use the light adjustable lens to ‘test-drive’ varying amounts of monovision to increase freedom from glasses. This allows the patient to live with the lenses for a short while before deciding how much additional near or far vision is needed in their everyday life. The light adjustable lens has also been a useful tool in many of my detail oriented patients who really like the highest level of precision in fine-tuning their lens power.”
One of those adjustable-lens patients was Ann Payne, who wore glasses or contacts for most of her life. “I had terrible vision,” said Payne, a Fort Lauderdale resident who worked for PwC for many years and now serves on corporate boards. “When I learned it was time for cataract surgery, Dr. Donaldson told me I would be a great candidate for these new adjustable lenses.”
Last fall, Payne had cataract surgery on each eye, one week apart. While her vision improved immediately, her eyes were still changing, so she returned to see Donaldson. “After the adjustments, she ‘locked’ in my lenses,” she said. “When I walked out of Bascom Palmer, I could see virtually 20/20 for the first time in my life. I could read and use a computer without reading glasses. This experience was life-changing from an amazing ophthalmologist and a wonderful, caring team. We are fortunate to have Bascom Palmer’s resources in our backyard.”
Replacing a lens
While replacing an implanted lens is difficult, the Institute’s specialists help many patients improve their post-surgery vision. “A small percentage of patients have side effects from multifocal lenses or develop recurring glare of halos when driving at night,” said Allister Gibbons, M.D., associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Naples. “Other times, a patient who has undergone refractive
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
A cataract occurs when the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and hard. Cataracts can develop from normal aging, an eye injury, previous eye surgery, or certain medications. Cataracts may cause blurred or dulled vision, sensitivity to light, and glare or ghost images. If the cataract changes vision so much that it interferes with daily life, it may need to be removed. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. Without surgery, vision may not improve and may worsen.
EARLY SIGNS OF CATARACTS
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Things do not look clear and bright
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
• Night glare and hazy vision
• Colors that seem to fade
An eye doctor must determine if these symptoms are caused by a cataract or by another eye problem that may need treatment.
surgery that has changed the shape of the eye might find the implanted lens just isn’t delivering the vision they desired.”
Gibbons has extensive experience handling these lens exchanges, taking new measurements, and implanting replacement lenses.
“The eyes take time to adjust to new lenses, but if the vision doesn’t improve after three to six months, it’s time for another evaluation. If the original surgery went well, a replacement procedure is relatively straightforward, provided it’s done a few months later. Over time, the lens becomes more attached to the membrane behind it, and it’s usually not worth the risk of a second surgery.”
A common issue for many adult cataract patients – and virtually all pediatric patients – is a gradual loss of transparency in that membrane. Fortunately, a simple laser procedure called posterior capsulectomy can reopen the membrane and restore good vision. “This is typically a one-and-done procedure,” Gibbons added. “So, if you still have glare or halos, or your vision isn’t as sharp, you should come back for a follow-up evaluation.”
Treating complex conditions
Bascom Palmer’s cataract surgeons treat many patients with complicated conditions. “We bring in our corneal, retinal, or glaucoma specialists and discuss treatment options with the patient and family,” Yoo said. “For instance, we could insert a tiny stent to drain fluid and reduce the intraocular pressure in a glaucoma patient during a cataract surgery. We could also administer medications to address AMD before surgery to give patients the best outcomes. We also have a pediatric cornea specialist who treats children with congenital or early onset cataracts.”
Thirty-two years ago, a premature infant was born with retinopathy of prematurity, a blinding condition that needed immediate treatment. Fortunately, Bascom Palmer’s ophthalmologists were able to preserve a significant part of the child’s vision through a series of retinal surgeries before the child turned two. “My child got used to having bad vision until an eye infection developed that resulted in the formation of large cataracts,” said the mother. “So, we once again drove down from our hometown to Bascom Palmer for treatment.” Three decades later, the patient sees Ellen Koo, M.D., an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Palm Beach Gardens, who recently removed a cataract from the patient’s right eye. “Before the surgery, I couldn’t see anything,” the patient said. “After my patch came off, I could see my mother in color. Now, I can watch TV, go outside, and do
Normal vision
Dulled or yellowed vision
Blurring or dimming
Distortion or ghost images
Dr. Allister Gibbons
lots of things. Dr. Koo is really cool – she gave me the best vision of my life.”
With advanced imaging and surgical technology, the Palm Beach Gardens campus draws patients and families from a wide geographic area. “They like our team approach, which includes access to state-of-the-art lasers and lenses, as well as our cornea fellowship training,” said Koo. “We handle many complex conditions.”
For instance, surgery on a patient whose cataracts resulted from a traumatic injury can be challenging because the lens implant may not be stable, said Koo. “The lens has to sit on a membrane supported by zonules, a network of microscopic fibers that suspend and support the eye’s lens. “If compromised, we use capsular tension rings or segments to hold the lens in place. If there are no zonules, we fix the lens in place using sutures.”
Like other Bascom Palmer specialists, Koo has conducted clinical research on cataract-related issues. In a 2021 study published in Clinical Ophthalmology, she found that patients with an eye disorder called Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, in mild to moderate stages, had favorable refractive outcomes with phacoemulsification, a technique using ultrasound to break down and remove a cloudy lens compared with lens extraction.
The future of cataract surgery
Looking at the future of cataract surgery, Donaldson said artificial intelligence (AI) applications may provide helpful recommendations on the best lens implants for each patient, improving vision outcomes. “We would also like to see accommodating lenses that reproduce the eye’s natural ability to change focus from distance to near vision,” she added.
Auto-focusing lenses would be a major advancement in cataract surgery, agreed Yoo. “It would be wonderful to have those implants, giving us bionic eyes,” she said. “Another advancement would be virtual reality or augmented reality headsets, allowing us to look inside the eye without a microscope.”
Reflecting on the importance of having an annual exam with an ophthalmologist or optometrist, Koo said, “I think people underestimate the impact of cataracts on their vision. Studies indicate that these procedures can reduce cognitive decline as well as improve the patient’s quality of life. It is so important for everyone, especially older adults, to have regular checkups to see if cataracts are clouding their vision.” n
The normal, clear lens (top) provides clear, focused vision. Age, injury, or other factors can cause this lens to become a cataract (bottom) which blurs, dims, discolors, and clouds one’s vision.
clear lens
cloudy lens
Dr. Ellen Koo
Extraordinary Team Gives Baby the Gift of Sight
Famed storyteller Aesop defined the value of teamwork when he said, “In union there is strength.” There is no better example of this concept than an extraordinary, coordinated effort from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s world-class pediatric specialty care team, which recently gave an orphaned baby girl the gift of sight.
In January 2025, the team met Angelica, a seven-month-old baby from Romania suffering from congenital glaucoma, a rare eye disease that affects newborns and young children. It occurs when the eye’s drainage system does not develop properly, leading to increased intraocular pressure. Notably, those of Romanian descent may carry founder genes for congenital glaucoma, with a prevalence four to five times higher than the rest of the Western world.
In 2016, Bascom Palmer opened the Samuel and Ethel Balkan International Pediatric Glaucoma Center, the world’s first center dedicated to infants and children with glaucoma. Renowned for its ability to provide top-level multidisciplinary care across ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT), anesthesia, genetics, and more, the Center also offers another key ingredient that makes all the difference: kindness. There is no better illustration of Bascom Palmer’s mission than Angelica’s heartwarming story, which shows what happens when cutting-edge technology and human
“Angelica was in an almost constant state of crying, very uncomfortable and unhappy. It was a hard seven months,” said Gabriela Geist, Angelica’s foster mother from Romania who cares for orphaned sick children along with her husband, Scott. They had previously sought eye care for Angelica in Europe and had multiple interventions. However, they were the wrong surgeries, with the last surgery done in Paris in early January leading to the baby’s eye completely full of blood and unnecessary loss of eye structures. Urgent medical intervention for Angelica was needed, and time was of the essence.
They boarded a plane to Miami based only on a quick Google search for the best children’s eye care center. They headed straight to Bascom Palmer’s emergency department, where they fortuitously encountered pediatric glaucoma specialist Elena Bitrian, M.D., associate professor of clinical ophthalmology and the glaucoma fellowship program director.
Once Bitrian saw the baby with “the biggest eyes I’d ever seen,” care was arranged in record time, with an action plan made that night. “This is a perfect example of the high level of multidisciplinary
care that Bascom Palmer provides its patients, not only due to technical skill but also because of the humanitarian side of its professionals, “ said Bitrian. “Together, we found a solution very fast. We did this because time matters.”
Bitrian performed bilateral glaucoma surgery. At the same time, Hong-Uyen Hua, M.D., one of the few pediatric retina specialists worldwide, performed a vitrectomy on the eye with the bleed. The complex surgery took more than four hours. “My role in the surgery was to clear the blood, both in the back and the front of the eye, to successfully lower the eye pressure, and give this baby a fighting chance to see in the future,” said Hua, an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology.
So many different members of the team were instrumental in providing Angelica with the outstanding care she received at Bascom Palmer, with everyone involved playing a crucial role. Other physicians from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, including otolaryngologist Michael Hoffer, M.D., anesthesiologist Neil Masters, M.D., pediatrician Arielle Riguad, M.D., and Bascom Palmer resident Mya Abousy, M.D., were all critical to the success of this whirlwind case. With Angelica experiencing chronic congestion that threatened to complicate the procedure, Bitrian called upon Riguad, Hoffer, and Masters to find a way to make it work.
“Dr. Bitrian reaching out to us brought about a true team effort that you don’t really see many other places, but it’s something that sets Bascom Palmer apart,” said Masters. “Ideally, we wanted her to be seen by an ENT, but there were concerns like insurance and the family heading back to Romania. I thought, ‘Well, we have an ENT right here in the hospital; Dr. Hoffer is here.’ So, during surgery, I found him while he was operating and asked if he had a minute to let me explain the situation.
Linda Celestin, Dr. Elena Bitrian, Dr. Hong-Uyen Hua, baby Angelica with Gabriela Geist, and Dr. Neil Masters
“This is a perfect example of the high level of multidisciplinary care that Bascom Palmer provides its patients, not only due to technical skill but also because of the humanitarian side of its professionals. Together, we found a solution very fast. We did this because time matters.”
– Dr. Elena Bitrian
“Thanks to the generosity of Balkan Center donors and their commitment to infants and children with glaucoma, we were able to deliver crucial sight-saving surgery and essential genetic testing for the baby in this unique situation.”
– Dr. Ta Chen Peter Chang
I asked if there was any chance he could take a look at the baby while she was sedated. Dr. Hoffer agreed to this spur-of-the-moment idea and said we could use one of our stethoscopes. We could share our findings and provide reassurance to the foster mother, which was great.”
The nursing team, including surgical technician Erika Villanueva, also came together to donate things like food, clothes, teething gel, and toys for the family during their time in South Florida, who arrived without much more than the clothes on their backs. One employee, who had just delivered a baby a few days prior, sent the family gifts to show her love and support.
Having a family friend, Eugen Bold, on the ground in South Florida to help with logistics was also a big help. “It’s important to mention this family doesn’t have any resources because they’re essentially full-time missionaries advocating for little children, so they don’t have an independent source of income. I reached the executive office the morning of the exam and explained the situation. They said Angelica’s surgery could proceed without the additional worry of the finances,” said Bold. “The amazing team at Bascom Palmer made this happen. This is truly a story of hope, resilience, and devotion.”
When Angelica first arrived at Bascom Palmer, ophthalmic technician Linda Celestin checked her vision and eye pressure to help the physicians determine the appropriate course of treatment. “I was very intrigued by the patient’s story, and I’m thrilled to be part of the team helping the baby gain vision in the future,” shared Celestin. “I am so fortunate to be working at Bascom Palmer and able to see the impact the doctors and everyone here have on patients who come from near and far to receive eye care. We advocate for these patients, and this baby’s future depends on us.” During Angelica’s follow-up appointment, Linda again examined her eyes to assess her progress.
At this same visit, the Bascom Palmer team went the extra mile, collecting a genetic sample from Angelica to offer testing, with expenses underwritten by the Balkan Center. This valuable research opportunity will help improve outcomes for those with the same disease.
“We provided the best care for this child not just by treating her eyes but also by stratifying her prognosis down the road. A very important part of pediatric glaucoma treatment is to make sure we know the patient’s genotype. Angelica comes from a part of the world with a much higher rate of congenital glaucoma. The population there has what we call a ‘founder gene effect,’ which is a certain mutation that gets passed around within the population,” said Ta Chen Peter Chang, M.D., medical director of the Balkan Center. “So, before they went back to Romania, we performed genetic testing on Angelica and informed her foster mother whether or not the baby carries this genotype to help us identify any future health issues that might not have manifested yet. We can start looking for those to ensure that not only her eyes are doing well, but the rest of her is doing well, too.” Chang, a professor of clinical ophthalmology, also holds secondary appointments in the Miller School’s departments of pediatrics and human genetics. “Thanks to the generosity of Balkan Center donors and their commitment to infants and children with glaucoma, we were able to deliver crucial sightsaving surgery and essential genetic testing for the baby in this unique situation,” he added.
Gabriela Geist with Erika Villanueva
Dr. Bitrian (far left) uses a direct ophthalmoscope, a source of light that will allow her to examine the baby’s red reflex and back of the eye. Dr. Hua wears an indirect ophthalmoscope to see the baby’s retina. The doctors will move closer to the baby’s eyes as she gains their trust.
The physicians who worked on Angelica’s case all agree that her future looks bright. She is doing much better, with her eye pressure now under control and her eyes less protuberant. “It is an honor to help provide vision for this baby for decades to come,” said Hua. Bitrian, the architect of this incredible story, is pleased with the outcome thus far. “Angelica is going to see. She’s going to have vision, which is the most important thing,” said Bitrian. “Hopefully, this will help create awareness of childhood glaucoma because it needs to be fixed soon. We need to train doctors to operate properly because this baby initially had the wrong surgery on her eyes, which caused even more damage. So, we need to create that awareness around the world. Genetically, we are searching for more resources and ways to fix things, possibly through gene therapy.”
No one is more grateful than Angelica’s foster mother for all those who came together to help them. “I see a very clear improvement. She is happy and not in pain anymore. She wants to smile, laugh, and bounce around. It’s just a very obvious difference since the surgery was done,” said Geist. “Technology alone is not enough to qualify a hospital as the best. If Dr. Bitrian hadn’t cared, Angelica’s surgery wouldn’t have happened. Once Dr. Bitrian saw us in the emergency room, I don’t think it was 15 minutes before we had her commitment to operate on Angelica. I don’t have words to describe my gratitude for what she has done. Not only her but the whole team at Bascom Palmer.” n
ABOUT PEDIATRIC GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a group of diseases characterized by damage to the optic nerve that occurs when the eye pressure is too high. This causes optic nerve damage resulting in severe vision loss.
n The most common findings in infants with glaucoma include excessive tearing, light sensitivity, and a large, cloudy cornea that can cause the eye to appear hazy or dull.
n Older children with glaucoma tend to develop damage without any obvious signs, similar to adult glaucoma.
n Pediatric glaucoma is treated by lowering the intraocular pressure via medical or surgical means. Most cases of pediatric glaucoma are treated with surgery.
n Many children with pediatric glaucoma develop myopia (nearsightedness) and require glasses. Also, amblyopia (decreased vision) and strabismus (crossing or wandering eye) occur more frequently and may require treatment with patching or surgery.
n If infants born with glaucoma are treated promptly, they often have normal or near normal vision; if not, it can progress to blindness.
n It is estimated that about 10 percent of pediatric glaucoma cases are inherited. Recent research has identified specific gene mutations linked to this disease.
n Congenital glaucoma is a rare eye disease that affects babies and young children. It is caused by incorrect development of the eye drainage system before birth, leading to increased intraocular pressure.
To schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with a Bascom Palmer specialist, please call 1-888-845-0002 or visit bascompalmer.org.
normal vision glaucoma vision
Saving Sight Locally and Globally
Bryetta Thomas suspected something was wrong with her young daughter’s vision. After a visit to the pediatrician failed to provide answers, she took 5-year-old Zanyla to a free community event in West Palm Beach where Bascom Palmer’s Vision Van provided free vision screening. Follow-up testing confirmed that Zanyla had congenital cataracts in both eyes. While cataracts are common in older adults but rare in children, they require specialized surgery.
Specialized Cataract Surgery
At the screening, Zanyla was among the 125 children referred for further evaluation of refractive error, strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (or “lazy eye”), and other serious ocular diseases like cataracts. The Thomas family was referred to Michelle Falcone, M.D., a pediatric ophthalmologist at Bascom Palmer’s Palm Beach Gardens campus. Falcone, an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology, is also the clinical director of Bascom Palmer’s Pediatric Eye Care Community Outreach Program. She confirmed that Zanyla had cataracts causing visual impairment in both eyes and referred her to Ta Chen Peter Chang, M.D., for cataract surgery.
Several weeks later, Thomas brought her daughter to Bascom Palmer’s Miami eye hospital to see Chang, one of the few pediatric cataract surgeons in the state. Chang, a professor of clinical ophthalmology, removed the cataract and implanted a special lens in Zanyla’s right eye.
“I performed the surgery on her right eye and put in an implant, anticipating that her eye will change as she grows,” he said. “After she recovers, we will operate on her left eye.” Unlike adults, Chang added, children with cataracts cannot participate in vision testing, making choosing the right lens to implant more difficult. “We can only measure the implant strength after the child is
under anesthesia, so we have to have a variety of lenses ready to go when we start the procedure,” he said.
Following the successful surgery, Zanyla returned a few months later for surgery on the second eye. She now has 20/40 vision — normal vision — in both eyes. “Now, my daughter can watch TV and see her toys when she plays,” said Thomas. “The team at Bascom Palmer did an awesome job with everything. They really care about helping their patients – kids and adults –achieve the best possible vision for a better future.”
Free Vision Screenings
Throughout the year, Bascom Palmer’s Vision Vans travel to neighborhoods throughout South Florida, bringing free screening services to families. On the day of Zanyla’s initial screening, the mobile vision team screened 180 children at the Palm Beach County Food Bank in partnership with philanthropist Lois Pope as part of her Lois’ Vision4Kids free eye screening program.
Bascom Palmer has two Vision Vans that provide free vision screenings in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Collier Counties. “We have registration staff, technicians, and doctors giving exams at no cost, and we provide further assistance if needed,” said Stephanie Gallardo, Bascom Palmer’s coordinator for community outreach.
Early vision screening is crucial for detecting sight-threatening conditions in children, which often reveal themselves through subtle behavioral changes. A child might hold objects unusually close to their face, overlook small items on the floor, or struggle to maintain focused eye contact – all potential indicators of vision problems that Vision Van screenings can help identify.
What makes these screenings particularly vital is that serious vision issues aren’t always obvious. “A child could have significant vision loss or even blindness in one eye while appearing completely normal, as the healthy eye compensates for the impairment,” explains Chang. “To protect your child’s lifelong vision health, we recommend scheduling an initial examination with a pediatric eye specialist between 13 and 18 months of age, followed by annual screenings.”
Dr. Michelle Falcone
Vision screenings throughout South Florida are a small part of Bascom Palmer’s community service. The Institute’s service extends around the globe through delivering eyeglasses or performing critical eye surgery to communities in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
For many decades, Bascom Palmer has prioritized conducting much-needed vision screening and eye care services, educating medical professionals, exchanging information with other ophthalmologists, and sharing their knowledge about patient care.
Richard K. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of ophthalmology, and holder of the Walter G. Ross Chair in Ophthalmology, is committed to community and international service. He has coordinated vision screenings throughout the world. In 2011, he traveled to Japan with the Bascom Palmer Vision Van to join forces with doctors from the Japanese Ophthalmological Society for emergency vision screenings and eye treatments after the Iwate Great Tsunami. He was instrumental in organizing the Miller School’s tent hospital in Port Au Prince after the Haiti Earthquake. He founded The Darwin Eye Project, Bascom Palmer’s ongoing initiative in the remote Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Working with the Ecuadorian Society of Ophthalmology and the non-governmental Ecuadorian Society of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer has brought eye care services to almost 4,000 patients over the past 8 years. Thousands of new perscription and reading eyeglasses and sunglasses donated by Bascom Palmer Optical have been provided free sto children and adults in the isolated island community of Isabela, including fishermen and farmers who suffered from cataracts and other disorders without access to eye doctors or prescription eyeglasses.
Sara T. Wester, M.D.’s initial involvement with global outreach was during her residency at Bascom Palmer when she traveled to Hospital Elias Santana in the Dominican Republic. Having
returned there many times, she has also done outreach work in Ethiopia, Jamaica, and Guatemala, where she not only provided medical care but also helped install stoves in impoverished communities. Wester, a professor of clinical ophthalmology and an oculoplastic surgeon, recently received the Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Humanitarian Award. This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding service, in which she embodies selflessness and compassion for improving ophthalmic care locally and around the globe. Working with WIO in collaboration with the SEVA Foundation and ORBIS International, she helped develop Women Leaders in Eye Health, a collaborative initiative to raise awareness of bias and gender discrimination within the eye health community as women worldwide are disproportionately impacted by blindness and visual impairment. She also helped develop a one-year training program for ophthalmologists in Honduras in oculofacial plastic surgery.
A volunteer at Bascom Palmer’s free glasses clinic, Benjamin J. Thomas, M.D., (Resident 2013), did his residency research project on a pilot study he conducted at the Institute. Screening patients and using pre-ground lenses donated courtesy of Bascom Palmer’s optical shop, he and other residents provided patients needing eyeglasses with a free pair.
Six years later, that project evolved into a “kit” that Thomas sent with a medical mission group from South Carolina to Costa Rica. Working with a neighborhood church, school, and local ophthalmologist, 194 patients were successfully screened, and 69 pairs of free custom glasses were distributed. The following year, that idea morphed into the Rosani Lens Project, which trains nonmedical volunteers to take glasses overseas to communities with the greatest need. As a direct result of a Bascom Palmer residency, more than 3,000 pairs of glasses have been distributed in 19 countries on five continents. For more information on the Rosani Lens Project, see Rosanilensproject.org. n
Himalayan Cataract Project, photo courtesy of Benjamin Thomas
Dr. Sara Wester
A groundbreaking approach that could revolutionize vision restoration
Vision’s Quantum Leap:
At the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a team of scientists is redefining medical boundaries. Their mission? To accomplish what generations of doctors deemed unthinkable—a whole-eye transplant.
With a multimillion-dollar award to support a functional whole-eye transplant, Bascom Palmer and University of Miami researchers are one step closer to procuring, preserving, and transplanting a human eye to restore vision.
The award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health for the Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) will be used to further develop the process of recovering and preserving the eye, as well as a technique for evaluating the viability of retinal tissue for transplantation.
“Bascom Palmer is leading a groundbreaking surgical approach to whole human eye transplantation and optic nerve regeneration, marking an exciting advancement in vision restoration,” says Daniel Pelaez, Ph.D., associate professor of ophthalmology and a co-principal investigator of the award. Joining Pelaez as coprincipal investigator is David T. Tse, M.D., an oculoplastic surgery and orbital disease expert. Together, they have assembled a multidisciplinary team to tackle the formidable task of transplanting a functional human eye. The road is complex. The team must tackle techniques to surgically recover and preserve a live human eye, maintain its function for vision restoration through organ transplantation, reconnect the
delicate optic nerve, and perfect the microsurgical positioning to restore vision.
“The greatness in medicine is not about the possible but the impossible. This once unthinkable challenge to overcome the biological barriers to optic nerve regeneration to regain vision is our shot at the moon. The audacious idea of a whole eye transplant stimulates the senses, stirs emotions, and fuels the imagination of the scientific community,” said Tse.
“This program represents the true power of collaborative science, bringing together experts across disciplines to confront one of the most complex challenges in modern medicine,” said Pelaez. “By leveraging cutting-edge innovation in transplantation, bioengineering, and neuroscience, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, with the potential to revolutionize vision restoration and transform lives.”
“This is an extremely complex procedure, and we have assembled a diverse team of physicians and scientists to solve it,” said Pelaez. “Optic nerve regeneration and reconnection are far from the only daunting challenges to overcome for a successful whole-eye transplant. On the surgical side, the donor eye tissues must be removed and transported to the recipient in a life support system that preserves the eye. Then microsurgery and oculoplastic procedures are needed to place the eye in the
“The greatness in medicine is not about the possible but the impossible. This once unthinkable challenge to overcome the biological barriers to optic nerve regeneration to regain vision is our shot at the moon. The audacious idea of a whole eye transplant stimulates the senses, stirs emotions, and fuels the imagination of the scientific community.”
– Dr. David Tse
Transplanting the Impossible
right position, reattach the muscles and blood vessels, and reconnect the optic nerve,” he added. Maintaining blood flow to the eye throughout the procedure is essential for the survival of the transplanted ocular tissue and functional sight. Experts in ophthalmology, surgical transplantation, neuroscience, microbiology and immunology, plastic surgery, computational science, and biomedical engineering are working together on the project.
With University of Miami experts collaborating, this “moon shot” project embodies medical innovation at its most ambitious—transforming the impossible into potential reality.
Bascom Palmer’s physicians and scientists include Felipe Medeiros, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of ophthalmology and vice chair of research. He will provide expertise in data science and bioinformatics. Also, on the team is JeanMarie Parel, ETS-G, Ph.D., the director of the ophthalmic biophysics center, who has created more than 350 surgical instruments and clinical devices that have enhanced clinical optic care worldwide. Jianhua (Jay) Wang, M.D., Ph.D., an electrical and computer engineer, has developed a wide range of imaging modalities that study structural and functional alterations in the eyes. Victor Perez, M.D., an expert in ocular immunology, will evaluate the immune response to eye transplantation and devise immunomodulatory strategies for the procedure’s success. Vittorio Porciatti, D.Sc., Bascom Palmer’s director of research, will bring his expertise as a neuroscientist, retinal electrophysiologist, and biomedical engineer.
The consortium of multidisciplinary investigators from the University of Miami includes Carolina Benjamin, M.D., a neurosurgeon and expert in microsurgical anatomical dissections within the skull base who worked with Tse on the refinement of the novel surgical approach to eye transplantation; Ashutosh Agarwal, Ph.D., a biomedical engineer, and Tse co-invented the eye organ life-support system (eye-ECMO™) to maintain the viability of the donor’s eye. Parel, Porciatti and biomedical engineer, Alex Gonzalez, Ph.D., the co-director of Bascom Palmer’s Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, developed an electrophysiological platform for retinal function testing of the recovered eye; and Robert Levy, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and immunology working alongside Perez on the immunological aspects of the project. Clifton McClenney and Louay Hatem, M.D., the senior director of operations and medical director of the Life Alliance Organ Recovery program, respectively, will coordinate with other organ transplantation teams and facilities to develop harmonized guidelines for the successful recovery of human donor eyes. Alfred Tector, M.D., and Rodrigo Vianna, M.D., Ph.D., from the Miami Transplant Institute, are specialists in the technical modifications necessary for organ transplantations. Finally, plastic surgeons Kyle Y. Xu, M.D., and Devinder Singh, M.D., are experts in microsurgery, specifically microvascular reconstruction. n
“By leveraging cutting-edge innovation in transplantation, bioengineering, and neuroscience, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, with the potential to revolutionize vision restoration and transform lives.”
– Dr. Daniel Pelaez
Reshaping our understanding of Multimillion award received to support the creation of a
Drs. Jay Wang, Yuhua Zhang, and Hong Jiang stand next to the adaptive optics prototype designed to read capillary blood flow through the retina.
In a groundbreaking initiative that could reshape our understanding of neurological disorders, researchers at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute have been awarded a substantial $4.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund Venture Program Oculomics Initiative to develop a revolutionary imaging technique that explores brain health through the human eye.
The ambitious project is led by Jianhua (Jay) Wang, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of ophthalmology and scientific co-director of Bascom Palmer’s Experimental Imaging Laboratory.
Wang and his team aim to create an advanced non-invasive imaging device that will read capillary blood flow through the retina and establish new biomarkers for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The goal is to provide unprecedented insights into CSVD, a critical condition that contributes to cognitive decline and dementia. By examining the intricate network of capillaries in the retina, researchers hope to unlock new methods of detecting and understanding neurological health long before traditional symptoms emerge.
The Challenge of Tiny Blood Vessels
“Cerebral small vessel disease is a systemic condition in which the capillary network becomes unhealthy or even gets remodeled, impairing blood flow,” he added. “Without proper blood perfusion, tissues become starved. This is particularly dangerous in the brain, where cellular health is paramount to cognitive function.”
Wang has developed a wide range of imaging modalities at Bascom Palmer that study structural and functional alterations in eyes during normal aging and eyes with various disorders. Current medical imaging technologies like MRI excel at visualizing larger blood vessels but struggle to capture the microscopic capillary networks that are crucial to understanding brain health. This has significant ramifications, as capillary blood flow is much like the “small package trucks” that deliver through neighborhoods. Without local delivery, individual cells do not receive enough oxygen or nutrition.
“As we age, CSVD can play a major role in dementia,” said Dr. Wang. “Though it probably does not cause Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or other brain conditions, it certainly contributes to them and probably accelerates the disease process.”
Oculomics: A New Window into Health
The project falls under the emerging field of oculomics, which uses the eye as a comprehensive diagnostic window into overall health and disease progression. By analyzing retinal capillaries, researchers hope to establish new biomarkers to help predict and mitigate the risks associated with neurological disorders. The instrument Wang and colleagues are developing is called a highspeed, widefield adaptive optics near-confocal ophthalmoscope (AONCO). This novel device will read capillary blood flow through the retina, help establish new biomarkers to detect CSVD, and use machine learning and other means to infer capillary health in the brain and possibly throughout the body.
Co-principal investigators include Yuhua Zhang, Ph.D., a principal investigator at Doheny Eye
neurological disorders new imaging device
Institute and professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Liang Liang, Ph.D., an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Miami. Zhang, an expert in adaptive optics, high-resolution imaging, and retinal hemodynamics, will make the instrument with his team at Doheny. Liang will support efforts to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other computational approaches.
“While we may not be able to prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s entirely,” Wang notes, “understanding how cerebral small vessel disease contributes to these conditions could be transformative in developing early intervention strategies.”
Potential Long-Term Impact
Researchers envision this technology’s significant implications over the next two to three decades. Creating a non-invasive method to assess capillary health could revolutionize early detection of neurological conditions, potentially allowing for interventions before substantial damage occurs.
Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer, describes the project as “transformational research that will benefit thousands of patients,” highlighting the potential broader implications of this innovative approach.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
“We have experts in neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, engineering, computer science, and many other disciplines,” said Wang. Bascom Palmer physicians and scientists on the team project include Hong Jiang, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of clinical ophthalmology and neurology, will conduct the screening and clinical efforts; Felipe Medeiros, M.D., Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology and Bascom Palmer’s vice-chair of research, will provide expertise in data science, bioinformatics,
and clinical studies; and statistician Robert O’Brien, Ph.D. will use AI to further improve the methodology.
Additional Miller School collaborators include physicians and scientists from the departments of radiology and neurology, including Tatjana Rundek, M.D., Ph.D., scientific director of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute; Jose Romano, M.D., chair of the department of neurology; Victor Jose Del Brutto Andrade, M.D., a vascular neurologist; Pradip M, Pattany, Ph.D., a research professor in the department of radiology; and Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari, Ph.D., a research associate professor of neurological surgery at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. In addition, John Detre, M.D., professor of neurology and radiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, an expert on blood flow in the brain, will consult on the project.
“While we may not be able to prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s entirely, understanding how cerebral small vessel disease contributes to these conditions could be transformative in developing early intervention strategies.”
– Dr. Jianhua (Jay) Wang
The NIH-funded project represents a significant scientific endeavor and symbolizes the increasing interdisciplinary nature of modern medical research, where collaboration across different fields can yield extraordinary insights. n
Bascom Palmer Day in the Florida Senate
Joined by Stephen G. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A., medical director of Bascom Palmer Naples, and Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s director and chair, on October 16th, 2024, Kathleen Passidomo, then President of the Florida Senate, declared “Bascom Palmer Day in the Senate” in honor of Dr. Bascom H. Palmer and his integral part in envisioning the eye institute named in his honor. During a ceremony at Bascom Palmer Naples, the proclamation honored the dedicated people who have worked tirelessly to save the eyesight of countless people.
In 1889, Bascom Headen Palmer, Jr., was born in Lake City, Florida, the younger son of a Florida politician. Bascom Palmer, Sr., held several government positions in Florida, including a member of the House of Representatives (1885), State Attorney (1889), State Senator (1895) and circuit judge (1901). The younger Bascom Palmer graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1914 and following an internship at Touro Infirmary, served in the army during World War I, and completed a post-graduate course in ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1923.
Dr. Stephen Schwartz, The Honorable Kathleen Passidomo, and Dr. Eduardo Alfonso
at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He joined the board of, and ascended to board president of the Florida Association of Workers for the Blind (now the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired). In 1943, amid World War II, he began discussing the feasibility of establishing an eye clinic in Miami dedicated to saving sight and preventing blindness. Five years later, the Miami Lighthouse purchased land for the proposed clinic.
In 1952, at Palmer’s urging, the University of Miami established the School of Medicine (the first in Florida), and later created the division of ophthalmology within the surgery department for the 1954-55 school year. Before Palmer died in 1954, he outlined his hope that Miami would eventually be home to “an ophthalmology institute in a medical center second to none in the nation. It will be a clinic where both the indigent and others may be treated. It will serve this community as a clearinghouse for research and reliable information on the care of the eyes and the conservation of sight.”
Later that year, he opened one of Miami’s first ophthalmology practices and was the first surgeon in Florida to perform cornea transplants. He became chief of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology
Under the direction of Edward W.D. Norton, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s first director and chair, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute was named in honor of Dr. Bascom H. Palmer. It opened in 1962 on land owned by Dade County and is now the home of the Institute’s Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Vision Research Center. Three years after breaking ground, the current Institute’s Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital opened in 1976 and was built on property initially purchased by the Miami Lighthouse under Dr. Palmer’s leadership in 1948. n
Dr. Bascom Palmer
Welcome New Physicians
JESSE SENGILLO, M.D.,
a board-certified specialist in vitreoretinal diseases, has joined the faculty as an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology. Sengillo, the medical director of Bascom Palmer’s emergency services, earned a bachelor of science in biochemistry from the University of Rochester. He then obtained his medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Downstate College of Medicine, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. During his medical training, Sengillo received several accolades, including the Gold Humanism Award, a peer-elected honor recognizing students who exemplify humanistic attitudes and conduct. He also earned the Degree with Distinction in Research and the Excellence in Ophthalmology Award, which is given to the most outstanding performer in the ophthalmology clerkship. Following his medical degree, he completed an internship at Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania, as well as a residency in ophthalmology and retinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer. During his fellowship, he was honored with prestigious awards, including the Heed Fellowship Award, one of the highest honors for post-graduate studies in ophthalmology, a research award from the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation, and the Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Award, which is given to only two vitreoretinal surgery fellows nationwide based on high academic achievement. Most recently, Sengillo was recognized as a Rising Star in Retina by Retina Today for his contributions to the field. He is available for consultations on retinal diseases in person and through virtual visits.
CAROLINA L. MERCADO, M.D.
Bascom Palmer welcomes Carolina Mercado as an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology. She received her medical degree and completed a clinical internship at the Universidad del Norte in Colombia. She then completed a three-year international research fellowship at Bascom Palmer on cornea and external eye diseases with Carol Karp, M.D., before returning to Colombia to complete a residency in ophthalmology at the Escuela Superior de Oftalmología, Instituto Barraquer de América. Following her residency, she returned to Bascom Palmer and completed two additional fellowships. The first in cornea and external diseases with Guillermo Amescua, M.D., and the second in medical retina with Jaclyn Kovach, M.D. Mercado received the Gillingham Pan-American Fellowship from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, which is offered to qualified Latin American candidates who have been accepted into an accredited training program in the United States or Canada. She has extensive experience as a researcher in ophthalmology, focused on enhancing treatment and surgical options for various ocular conditions, including ocular surface tumors, surface lesions, and corneal
transplantation. Working closely with Karp, Mercado has helped advance diagnostic techniques for ocular lesions using high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography and validating the use of topical 5-fluorouracil 1% as an effective treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia. She has also contributed to developing techniques to enhance corneal endothelial cell survival after transplantation. She is available for consultations on corneal and external diseases at Bascom Palmer Naples or through virtual visits.
MELANIE R. SOBEL, M.D., a board certified ophthalmologist, has joined Bascom Palmer as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of California, San Diego, and her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. After an internship at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, she completed a residency in ophthalmology at the State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate College of Medicine, serving as chief resident and leading their community glaucoma screening program. Prior to coming to Bascom Palmer, she served as a faculty member at Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She has been a long-time physician volunteer, providing vision services at the Caridad Center in Boynton Beach, Florida. Sobel offers consultations for adults on comprehensive eye care, medical management of ophthalmic conditions, including ocular surface and agerelated eye diseases.
GEORGE F. CORRENT, M.D., Ph.D.
We are pleased to welcome boardcertified ophthalmologist Corrent back to Bascom Palmer as a staff physician. Corrent received his undergraduate degree in zoology at Duke University, a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from Rice University, and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at Washington University and a fellowship in corneal and external diseases at Bascom Palmer. He served as chair of the department of ophthalmology at Cleveland Clinic-Florida from 1988 to 2005; and practiced at Bascom Palmer from 2009 to 2015. He is available for consultation on cataract and refractive diseases and general eye care at Bascom Palmer Palm Beach Gardens and Naples.
2025 Top Doctors
Thomas A. Albini, M.D. Audina M. Berrocal, M.D. Janet L. Davis, M.D. Sander Dubovy, M.D. Yale Fisher, M.D.
Harry W. Flynn Jr., M.D. Ninel Z. Gregori, M.D.
Jaclyn L. Kovach, M.D.
Philip J. Rosenfeld, M.D., Ph.D. Stephen G. Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A.
William E. Smiddy, M.D. Basil K. Williams Jr., M.D.
Nicolas A. Yannuzzi, M.D. Mohamed F. Abou Shousha, Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. M.D., Ph.D.
Guillermo Amescua, M.D. Victoria S. Chang, M.D.
William W. Culbertson, M.D. Kendall E. Donaldson, M.D., M.S. Allister G. Gibbons, M.D.
Carol L. Karp, M.D. Ellen Koo, M.D.
Sonia Yoo, M.D.
Angela Y. Zhu, M.D. Zubair Ansari, M.D.
Corneal and External Diseases
Fifty Bascom Palmer physicians have been recognized as 2025 Top Doctors by Castle Connolly. The doctors on this list are selected by their peers, and only the top 7% of the nation’s physicians are awarded this honor.
Elena Bitrian, M.D.
Ta Chen Peter Chang, M.D. Steven J. Gedde, M.D.
David S. Greenfield, M.D.
Elizabeth A. Hodapp, M.D.
Krishna S. Kishor, M.D.
Alison J. Lauter, M.D.
Arindel S.R. Maharaj,
Richard K. Parrish II, M.D. Swarup S. Swaminathan, M.D., Ph.D. M.D.
Luis E. Vazquez, M.D.
Sarah R. Wellik, M.D.
Hong Jiang, M.D.
Byron L. Lam, M.D.
Joshua Pasol, M.D.
Chrisfouad R. Alabiad, M.D. Thomas E. Johnson, M.D.
Wendy Lee, M.D.
Andrew J. Rong, M.D.
Brian C. Tse, M.D.
David T. Tse, M.D.
Sara T. Wester, M.D.
Hilda Capó, M.D.
Kara Cavuoto, M.D.
Craig A. McKeown, M.D.
“Bascom Palmer is where the best physicians gather to make miracles happen. Here, I have the privilege of tackling the most difficult, rare congenital eye diseases and pushing the boundaries of what has been done before.”
– Dr. Ta Chen Peter Chang
Effective March 1, 2025, TA CHEN PETER CHANG, M.D., was named holder of the Kolokotrones Chair in Ophthalmology. This transformative gift from Wendy and Theo Kolokotrones will advance groundbreaking research and treatment, offering countless children the gift of sight and creating an enduring impact for generations to come. Chang stands among the world’s leading pediatric ophthalmologists, specializing in complex childhood eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and other complex congenital and aquired anterior segment diseases. His pioneering clinical research on rare genetic disorders continues expanding the field’s boundaries.
Chang graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Pomona College in California, combining neuroscience and music/piano performance. After earning his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine he completed his ophthalmology residency at Stanford University School of Medicine. He then completed fellowships in glaucoma at Bascom Palmer and pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. Since joining Bascom Palmer in 2014, he has held secondary appointments in pediatrics and human genetics at the Miller School of Medicine.
As medical director of Bascom Palmer’s Samuel and Ethel Balkan International Pediatric Glaucoma Center, Chang remains focused on his mission: “A lot of work remains to be done in reducing the burden of blindness among children. I want to increase awareness of the standard of care in childhood glaucoma and anterior segment diseases, and I hope my research team and I can identify means to individualize care and optimize surgical outcomes.” Chang’s influence extends globally through his commitment to training the next generation of specialists. His former trainees now serve as pediatric glaucoma authorities worldwide, from Mexico and Brazil to Israel, China, Ghana, and Suriname.
Distinguished Endowed Chairholders
Bascom Palmer’s worldwide leadership would not be possible without the generous support of donors and benefactors who share the Institute’s commitment to excellence in eye care, scientific research, and medical education. Steeped in tradition and ceremony, an endowed chair is the highest academic honor the University of Miami can bestow on a faculty member.
In January, the Institute held a ceremony to recognize twelve distinguished faculty members who achieved the distinction of an endowed chair, the highest honor awarded at a research university. “Bascom Palmer is honored to recognize those faculty members who have achieved the distinction of an endowed chair and their expertise and contributions to the field of ophthalmology,” said Eduardo Alfonso, M.D., director of Bascom Palmer.
Top row: Chrisfouad Alabiad, Thomas Albini, Audina Berrocal, Kendall Donaldson, Middle row: Drs. Jorge Fortun, Ninel Gregori, Thomas Johnson, Felipe Medeiros, Bottom row: Drs. Victor Perez, Stephen Schwartz, Swarup Swaminathan, Sonia Yoo, Standing: Dr. Joan St. Onge, Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, Ron Stone
Bascom Palmer Ranked #1 in USA
For the 23rd time, Bascom Palmer has been ranked the nation’s best in ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report since the publication began surveying U.S. physicians for its annual rankings in 1990.
Bascom Palmer has long been at the forefront of innovation in ophthalmology, advancing the research that leads to better clinical care and improved patient outcomes. Its team is recognized as an international leader in ophthalmology. “We take pride in our exceptional clinical services, cutting-edge research, and outstanding ophthalmic education.” This commitment to improving sight, preventing blindness, and advancing ophthalmic knowledge through compassionate patient care and innovative vision research ensures Bascom Palmer’s mission is continually fulfilled,” said Eduardo Alfonso M.D., director of Bascom Palmer. “Our distinguished team of professionals is dedicated to providing patients throughout our diverse community and across the globe with the most advanced, innovative vision care available today.”
“Recognized as the nation’s #1 ranked eye hospital for an unprecedented 23 times, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care.”
– Dr. Eduardo Alfonso
AWARDS AND HONORS
Congratulations to five distinguished Bascom Palmer faculty members honored with the University of Miami Miller School Dean’s Faculty Awards for their exceptional contributions to academic medicine. Henri R. Ford, M.D., M.P.H., dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School, presented the five awards to: EDUARDO C. ALFONSO, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s director and chair, received the Faculty Leadership Award for his exceptional leadership and collaborative skills in furthering institutional priorities; SANJOY K. BHATTACHARYA, PH.D., founder of the Miami Integrative Metabolomics Research Center and the Master of Science in Vision Science and Investigative Ophthalmology program, received the Faculty Citizenship Award; DAVID T. TSE, M.D., ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon, was awarded the Excellence in Clinical Service – Procedural Specialty Award for excelling in both diagnostic and procedural areas; STEVEN J. GEDDE, M.D., vice chair of education, received the Senior Faculty Educator Award for his high-impact educational excellence, including, advising, mentoring, leadership, administration, and a scholarly approach to education; and BASIL K. WILLIAMS, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s vice chair of inclusion, received the Award for Inclusive Excellence for demonstrating exceptional commitment to expanding inclusivity and excellence in the medical community.
Drs. Eduardo Alfonso, Sanjoy Bhattacharya, David Tse, Steven Gedde, Basil Williams
At the 2024 annual business meeting, RAQUEL GOLDHARDT, M.D., FACS, was elected President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, a nonprofit medical society representing more than 500 physician members in the state. Other Bascom Palmer faculty members in leadership positions are president-elect ZELIA M. CORREA, M.D., PH.D.; and secretary/ treasurer ALLISTER GIBBONS, M.D. Congratulations to ALISON J. LAUTER, M.D., on receiving the Michael R. Redmond, M.D., Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Leadership Award, which recognizes organizational leadership, service, and professional ability and to MICHELLE FALCONE, M.D., for receiving the James W. Clower, Jr., M.D., Community Service Award for her contribution of time and service to the local community.
Real World Ophthalmology, an organization dedicated to helping young ophthalmologists succeed in early practice, presented ALFONSO L. SABATER, M.D., PH.D., with the Incredible Innovation and Scientific Contribution Award for his development of the first corneal gene therapy.
At the 2025 meeting of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS), STEVEN J. GEDDE, M.D., an outstanding physician, researcher, and educator, was installed as president. The AGS is one of ophthalmology’s most influential subspecialty societies, with more than 1,600 members from 17 countries. Gedde is a prolific clinical researcher who focuses on improving patient care through clinical trials. He has been the study chair of the Tube versus Trabeculectomy and the Primary Tube versus Trabeculectomy studies, multicenter randomized clinical trials comparing the safety and efficacy of two surgical procedures for managing medically uncontrollable glaucoma.
Gedde, holder of the John G. Clarkson Chair in Ophthalmology and Bascom Palmer’s vice chair of education, is an unwavering supporter of medical education. During his 21-years as Bascom Palmer’s residency program director, the program was continually recognized as one of the best in the United States. As vice chair of education, he leads Bascom Palmer’s educational programs, including the Global Center for Ophthalmic Education. He has received the Excellence in Health Care Educator of the Year award, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education, and the Senior Faculty Educator of the Year Award from Miller School of Medicine. He joins other Bascom Palmer faculty members who served as president of the AGS, including DOUGLAS ANDERSON, M.D. and DAVID S. GREENFIELD, M.D. DONALD L. BUDENZ, M.D., M.P.H., a former faculty member and current chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, also served as president of the organization.
Also, at the meeting, Anderson, one of the most respected glaucoma specialists in the world, was honored for his integral role in establishing the American Glaucoma Society. In the 1970s, he coorganized the annual North American Glaucomatologists’ Learning Ensemble, a forum where glaucoma specialists gathered to provide in-depth focus on glaucoma research interests. When members of the glaucoma community felt that additional meetings were needed for clinical and scientific interchange, it resulted in the establishment of the AGS in 1985 with Anderson as one of the 13 founding members. Early in his career, he showed how a rise in intraocular pressure could damage the optic nerve – one of the most important discoveries in the field of ophthalmology. He also contributed to the use of visual field testing to detect early optic nerve changes in glaucoma patients. Anderson served on the Bascom Palmer faculty for 47 years.
Dr. Raquel Goldhardt
Dr. Douglas Anderson
Dr. Steven Gedde
AWARDS AND HONORS
Honors at AAO
The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) annual meeting, the world’s largest and most comprehensive ophthalmic education conference, aligned perfectly with Bascom Palmer’s commitment to excellence in ophthalmic education. At the 2024 meeting in Chicago, Bascom Palmer’s faculty members, residents, and fellows delivered an impressive array of more than 200 presentations, posters, courses, and symposiums.
Several Bascom Palmer physicians received prestigious recognition for their contributions to the educational and scientific programs. KENDALL DONALDSON, M.D., M.S., was honored with a Secretariat Award, while PHILIP J. ROSENFELD, M.D. PH.D., received a Life Achievement Honor Award. Achievement Awards were presented to CHRISFOUAD R. ALABIAD, M.D., ADAM ROTHMAN, M.D., and LUIS E. VAZQUEZ, M.D., PH.D.
The Institution maintained a commanding presence with its 600-square-foot exhibit space featuring “Meet the Experts” sessions. Notable presentations included STEPHANIE M. LLOP, M.D., sharing insights on understanding and managing herpes eye disease; MOHAMED F. ABOU SHOUSHA, M.D., PH.D., discussing the integration of artificial intelligence and wearable technology to enhance patient care and practice efficiency; and HONG-UYEN HUA, M.D., addressing pediatric retinal detachments. The Beauty of Sight (a Lions Eye Bank) also conducted specialized wet labs focusing on corneal surgery techniques.
Congratulations to RAQUEL GOLDHARDT, M.D., and BASIL K. WILLIAMS JR., M.D., on their selection to participate in the Academy’s 2025 Leadership Development Program. This prestigious program prepares rising ophthalmologists to lead state, subspecialty, and specialized ophthalmic interest societies. Goldhardt will represent the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, while Williams will serve as representative for the Ophthalmology Section of the National Medical Association.
Gathering at AAO
Dr. Kendall Donaldson Dr. Philip Rosenfeld
Meet Bascom Palmer’s Experts
Drs. Eduardo Alfonso, Maura Di Nicola, and Gustavo Rosa Gameiro
Bascom Palmer is delighted to announce that MAURA DI NICOLA, M.D., and GUSTAVO
ROSA GAMEIRO, M.D., PH.D., were accepted into the prestigious 2024 National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR) Emerging Vision Scientist Program. Di Nicola, an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology and specialist in retinal diseases, uveitis, and ocular oncology, was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field of vision research and advocacy for the future of eye health. Di Nicola’s research focuses on addressing patient education relative to cancers of the eye by leveraging generative artificial intelligence to create a patient education tool. Her project aims to empower patients, enhance communication, and reduce health disparities culturally and linguistically. Gameiro is an international research scholar from the University of Sao Paulo, focusing on artificial intelligence, data science in glaucoma, and ocular oncology. The NAEVR program brings together the brightest minds in vision science with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to share their groundbreaking work and advocate for crucial funding. This program fosters innovation and emphasizes the importance of vision research funding.
EDUARDO C. ALFONSO, M.D., Bascom Palmer’s director and chair, has been chosen to join Florida’s top scientific organization - the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL). He was selected because of his clinical and research expertise in eye care, surgery, ocular microbiology, and his healthcare leadership. The ASEMFL studies important scientific and medical issues that affect Florida residents and provides unbiased, expert advice related to those issues. Each member brings different knowledge to the organization, and together, they work to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Florida.
Alfonso was also presented with the prestigious “Medalla de Oro” award from the Fernandez-Vega Institute in Spain for his outstanding contribution and unwavering dedication to ophthalmology worldwide.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology issues warnings against eye color-changing surgeries that are trending on social media: iris implant surgery and a laser surgery that inserts pigment into the cornea. This may sound exciting, but these surgeries can lead to potentially permanent vision loss. For more information about eye health and how to protect your eyes, visit the Academy’s EyeSmart website at https://www.aao.org/eye-health
With the support of an unrestricted grant from RESEARCH TO PREVENT BLINDNESS (RPB), two Bascom Palmer faculty members have been awarded the 2025 Pilot Project Awards. These prestigious grants provide critical funding for innovative ophthalmological research and professional development. Professor of ophthalmology ANAT GALOR, M.D., received a grant for her research involving autonomic contributors to chronic ocular pain, and DMITRY V. IVANOV, PH.D., a research professor of ophthalmology, was awarded funding for his research on the role of the DNA demethylation pathway in photoreceptor specification and maturation during retinal development.
Last year, two doctors also received RPB 2024 Pilot Projects Awards.
ANH H. PHAM, M.D., PH.D., an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology, received a grant for her research involving a fluorescent report for monitoring mitochondrial quality control in glaucoma. Additionally, VALERY SHESTOPALOV, PH.D., a professor of ophthalmology, received a grant for his research on neuroprotective strategies to prevent retinal damage by spiking intraocular pressure injuries. In addition to research support, RPB generously provides travel awards to Bascom Palmer’s early career researchers, including faculty, residents, fellows, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. These awards enable recipients to attend and present their work at ophthalmology conferences, fostering knowledge exchange and professional growth. Congratulations to Anam Ahmed, Verônica Vilas Boas Campos, Gustavo Rosa Gameiro, Simran Mangwani Mordani, Paula Andrea Sepulveda Beltran, and Mengxi Shen for their research projects on corneal infections, retinal ganglion cells, managing glaucoma, ocular surface, chronic eye pain, or age-related macular degeneration.
Dr. Anat Galor
Dr. Valery Shestopalov
Welcome to the Family
Bascom Palmer is pleased to welcome its outstanding residency class of 2029. These doctors will complete a joint ophthalmology internship with Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami, spend three months on ophthalmology rotations at Bascom Palmer and the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital, and begin their three-year residency program at Bascom Palmer after that training.
Heed Fellows
The Heed Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors for postgraduate studies in ophthalmology, is granted to outstanding ophthalmologists who demonstrate promise in pursuing an academic medical career in patient care, education, and research. Congratulations to surgical retina fellows DANIEL BALIKOV, M.D., PH.D., and LANDON J. ROHOWETZ, M.D., M.A., for being named 2024 Heed Fellows.
Congratulations to third-year medical student JASON BETZ on receiving the Troutman Veronneau Prize from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology. Jason, under the guidance of ANAT GALOR, M.D., PH.D., is working toward understandinge increased rates of ocular pain in post-surgical patients, even when their vision outcomes are deemed successful.
Congratulations to Bascom Palmer chief resident JASON C. FAN, M.D., PH.D., on receiving a Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Foundation Award. This prestigious award is granted annually to outstanding secondyear vitreoretinal fellows in the United States. Fan joins a long list of Bascom Palmer-trained doctors recently receiving this honor, including Drs. Nicholas Yannuzzi, Jesse Sengillo, Hasenin Al-khersan, Kenneth Fan, and Natalia Callaway.
Ophthalmology Interns 2025-2026
Abdulrahman Allaf, M.D.
B.S. University of Central Florida
M.D. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Christina Ambrosino, M.D.
B.S. Johns Hopkins University
M.D. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Andrea Arreguin, M.D., Ph.D.
B.A. Boston University
M.D. Stonybrook School of Medicine
Angela Xu, M.D.
B.S. Johns Hopkins University
M.D. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Anshul Bhatnagar, M.D.
B.A. Rice University
M.D. Baylor College of Medicine
Hannah Walsh, M.D.
B.S. Yale University
M.D. University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
James Park, M.D.
B.S. Emory University
M.D. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Sofia Miguez, M.D.
B.A. University of Pennsylvania
M.D. Yale University School of Medicine
Drs. Daniel Balikov and Landon Rohowetz
Palm Beach Medical Forum
The Bascom Palmer Palm Beach Medical Forum, an esteemed annual event since 1988, is a premier platform for physicians to showcase the Institute’s cutting-edge vision, research, and medical innovations.
Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., the Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology and Bascom Palmer’s department chair, emphasized how philanthropic support has been instrumental in accelerating medical research breakthroughs. He thanked the Institute’s dedicated supporters, including event patron Florida Crystals Corporation and distinguished forum society sponsors Dr. Carol Bastek, James Borynack, Adolfo Zaralegui, and Gary and Linda Lachman.
The forum’s highlight was a presentation by neuro-ophthalmologist Maja Kostic, M.D., Ph.D.,
Drs. Eduardo Alfonso and Maja Kostic
titled “Seeing Beyond: The Intersection of NeuroOphthalmology and Genetic Eye Disorders.” Her talk showcased the potential of virtual reality technology as an innovative alternative to traditional in-person eye examinations, demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to technological advancement. She emphasized the critical and often overlooked connection between eye health and cognitive function, offering insights into how vision-related research could contribute to understanding and mitigating dementia risks.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of Kostic’s presentation was highlighting that Bascom Palmer is one of the few global centers offering integrated treatment and research for Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency. This rare and progressive neurodegenerative eye disorder underscores the complexity of vision-related medical challenges.
Cathy and Andres Fanjul
Ari Rifkin with Lois Pope
Naples –4 Your Eyes Only
The Ritz-Carlton Naples was the site of Bascom Palmer’s popular 4 Your Eyes Only event. This year’s theme, Vision Caregiving, focused on caregivers’ invaluable support to those with low vision or vision loss. With an aging population and a growing number of people facing low vision challenges, understanding the physical and mental health burden on caregivers is essential as it touches many. Moderated by Trish Hare, speakers included Alison J. Lauter, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery; Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President & CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples; and Denise Altman, attorney at law.
Trish Hare, Dr. Alison Lauter, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, Denise Altman
Elizabeth Cortes, Dr. Eduardo Alfonso, Jan Morrison, Mary Windle, William Morrison, and Sarah Kemeness
Miami Vision Luncheon
More than 140 guests joined Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D., at the University of Miami’s Lakeside Village in Coral Gables for Bascom Palmer’s annual vision luncheon. Highlights of the program included Daniel Pelaez, Ph.D., providing updates on Bascom Palmer’s “Moon Shot” project – the restoration of vision through an eye transplant and connection of the optic nerve to the brain; Carol K. Karp, M.D., sharing advances in treatments for corneal diseases and cancers on the surface of the eye; and Justin H. Townsend, M.D., presenting the newest treatments for retinal diseases. Special thanks to Stearns Weaver Miller, the presenting sponsor of the event; gold sponsors Angela W. Whitman, Sedano’s, Northern Trust, and Fifth Third Bank; and silver sponsor Laurie W. Nuell. An added treat to the luncheon was a piano solo performed by Julliard-trained Jeffrey Brown, M.D., a vitreoretinal fellow at Bascom Palmer, known as the “doctor-pianist!”
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine Dean Henri Ford with Drs. Eduardo Alfonso, Carol Karp, Daniel Pelaez, and Justin Townsend
MaryEllen Travalia, Linda Mayer
Niki Thompson, Sheila Wilson
The Bascom Palmer Society
Recognized as the George E. Merrick Society at the University of Miami
Honoring the Institute’s most generous benefactors whose gifts exceed $1 million, the Bascom Palmer Society was created in memory of the Institute’s namesake, Bascom Headen Palmer, M.D., an ophthalmologist who pioneered eye care in Miami.
Alcon Laboratories
Ibrahim N. Al-Rashid
Mohammad N. Al-Rashid
Dr. Nasser Ibrahim Al-Rashid
Dr. Nourah Caskey Al-Rashid
Ramzi Al-Rashid
Salman Al-Rashid
Carl B. & Iris Apfel*
Ms. Adrienne Arsht/ Hope for Vision
Sadye Barrel*
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Alumni Association, Inc.
Dr. Carol Bastek
Richard E. & Mary Lee Bastin
John E. Blair*
Mrs. Gladys A. Bludworth
Michele R. Bowman & Col.
Joseph E. Underwood
Braman Family Foundation
Charles William Brand*
Ms. Theresa Broeman*
Mary C. Brosius & George C. Brosius*
Mary J. & George T. Brosius*
Robert M. & Virginia M. Buck*
Mr.* & Mrs. Willard Butcher
Helen & George Clarke*
Mark J. Daily, M.D.
Thorne B.* & Monnie Donnelley
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Eaton
The Bob and Connie Eaton
Clinical Research Program Fund
The Faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Florida Crystals Corporation
Werner F. Farnell*
The Celia Lipton Farris & Victor W. Farris Foundation, Inc.
Florida Lions Eye Bank
The Foundation
Fighting Blindness
Mr.* & Mrs. Samuel J. Frankino
The Samuel J. & Connie M. Frankino Charitable Foundation
Stanley & Kathleen Glaser*
Gordon R. Miller, M.D *
Nancy I. & Robert Z. Greene*
Allyn J. Heath*
Helen Herold*
W. Pruett & Audrey M. Hickman*
Mrs. Lou Higgins*
William* & Norma Horvitz
W. Starr & Alvira Johnston*
William M. Kennedy*
James L. Knight*
Mr. & Mrs. Theo Kolokotrones
Clara Kresge*
The Kresge Foundation
Hugh & Sally Lalor*
The James Annenberg La Vea Charitable Foundation
Anne Bates Leach*
Dr.* & Mrs. Ronald Lepke
Henri & Flore Lesieur Foundation
Donna Mae Litowitz*
The Joe & Emily Lowe Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Milton S. Maltz
Maltz Family Foundation
Ramonia Mayhall*
William L. & Evelyn McKnight*
McKnight Brain Research Foundation
The Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
The Mnaymneh Family
Ambrose Monell Foundation
Dorothy S. Munn*
The Murray Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. W. Stephen Murray
Naples Children & Education Foundation
National Philanthropic Trust
Frederic S. & Christine B. Nusbaum
Ophthalmology Research Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond G. Perelman*
Lois Pope & the LIFE Foundation
William & Isabel Collier Read*
Lillian Redlich*
Judy W. Renick*
Renick Trust
Research to Prevent Blindness
Edith & Earl Retter*
Robert R. & Joyce L. Rice
The Edward D. & Janet K. Robson Foundation
Charlotte Breyer Rodgers*
George G.* & Estelle Rosenfield
In honor of Harold Ross, MD, Bernard Ross & Lola Ross Family Trust
Walter G. Ross Foundation
The Salah Foundation
Ernie D. Semersky Family & Dory Newell
Richard D. Siegal*
Anne & Matthew Smith Family Endowed Research Fund
Charles E. and Louise W. Springer
Strobis Glaucoma Foundation
William J. Thode III*
Elsie & Tolly Vinik*
Richard G. West*
Annabelle P. Whistler*
Wildflower Foundation
Morty & Gloria Wolosoff Foundation, Inc.*
Shlomo & Amy Yeminy*
Miles Zisson*
*In loving memory
Donations listed as of May 31, 2024
Dr. Bascom H. Palmer
The Norton Society
Recognized as The Bowman Foster Ashe Society at the University of Miami Members of the Norton Society have generously supported Bascom Palmer with gifts totaling $500,000 – $999,999. This society honors the vision and leadership of Edward W.D. Norton, M.D., the Institute’s founding chairman.
Dr. Edward W.D. Norton
Allergan, Inc.
Anonymous
L. Jules Arkin Family Foundation
Silvia N. Armstrong*
Ruth Ann Asleson*
Mrs. Dora Bak*
Benjamin* & Millicent Bauer
Beauty of Sight Foundation
Robert R. Bellamy*
Dr.* & Mrs. Jose Berrocal
Isadore & Jean L. Bloom*
Roscoe E. Blyler*
James H. Broderick*
Bryan Dare Holdings Limited
Mildred G. Burrows*
Ethel P. Cady*
Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.
The Chatlos Foundation
William H.* & Deborah Cochrane
Arlyn & Stephen Cypen
Mrs. Kathryn W. Davis*
Mary Rocha de E.*
Deering Trust
Mary L. Desmond*
Willis H. & Miren A. du Pont/ The Marmot Foundation
Lisa O. & George W. Etheridge Jr.
Ms. Katie Fasal
Fight for Sight, Inc.
Fannie & Jacob Frank*
Ms. Elsie Freiman*
Dr. Edward & Theodora Furey Trust*
Jack & Patricia Glass*
Jane & Gene Guttman*
Olivia Hand*
Shirley D. Harris*
Kenneth B. Haynes*
Isador* & Florence Hecht
Shirley Heiman*
Palmer Herman*
Hope for Vision
H. Jerome & Thelma Joseph*
Jewish Guild for the Blind
Thomas N.* & Patricia R. Kearns
Margaret Kelber*
Gertrude G. La Londe*
Estee Lauder*
Mr. Patrick P. Lee
The Josephine S. Leiser Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Jaime Lerner
Lillian Light*
Ruth H. Marvin*
Dale* & Marietta McNulty
McNulty Charitable Foundation
Mr.* & Mrs. D. Richard Mead
Ms. Harriet Messinger*
Lorraine Trumbull Meyer*
Mrs. Alison Miller
David Minkin Foundation
Miss Clare O’Keeffe
Esther B. O’Keeffe
Charitable Foundation
The Olayan Group
John & Margaret Ordway
The Pew Charitable Trusts, Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Frederick Reuter*
Jack W. Rich, Sr.
Ms. Lillian Rienzi*
Leonard* & Ari Rifkin
Eliza Phillips Ruden*
Mrs. Irving R. Rutkin
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Sakolsky
Ralph S. Sott*
SCS Healthcare
Helen Scrimgeour*
Richard D. Siegal*
Doris Shell*
Bruce & Cynthia Sherman
Charitable Foundation
Drs. David H.* & Maureen Smith
Southern Dames of America
The Starr Foundation
Milton Stein*
Edward N. & Della L. Thome
Memorial Foundation
Gladys J. Toelle*
Richard Tucker*
Gladys Weiner*
Mr. & Mrs. T. Jack White*
Angela W. Whitman
Dr. & Mrs. Frank M. Williams
Cecilia Youngdahl*
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Zagelmeyer
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
*In loving memory Donations listed as of May 31, 2024
The Luminary Society
Recognized as The Grand Founder Society at the University of Miami The Luminary Society recognizes individuals who are beacons for progress in vision research, clinical care and education. Generous donors have contributed gifts totaling $100,000 – $499,999.
Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.
The Able Trust
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa
bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
Marcelo & Betty Alvarez
Joan J. Ambrose*
Amarone Charitable Trust
Anthony Abraham*
Anthony Abraham Family Foundation
Charlotte D. Ahrens*
Usha & Monte Ahuja
American Health Assistance Foundation
Catherine Armstrong*
Mr. Francis A. Anania
Dr. Robert C. & Veronica Atkins Foundation
Captain Eugene K. & Muriel M. Auerbach*
Louis & Mary August*
Gerson & Barbara Bakar
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph R. Bagby
Bailey Family Foundation, Inc.
Pondray R.M. Baldwin*
Ms. Allen Arthur Barco*
Laurence E. Barreca*
Florence & Harry Hood Bassett
The Bassett Foundation
Mr. Brian C. Bastin
Bausch & Lomb, Vision Care
James* & Laurie Bay
Dr. Joseph & Jean Beauchamp
The Beeck Family Foundation
Katherine Begeest*
Harry Belafonte*
Robert R. Bellamy Memorial Foundation, Inc.
Helen L. Benenati*
Claudia & Dennis Berman
Birk Family Foundation
Thomas H. & Martha Blash*
Mr. James F. Blinder & the Alden Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Frederic S. Bogart
Mr. James R. Borynack & Mr. Adolfo Zaralegui
Findlay Galleries Inc.
BrightFocus Foundation
The Broyhill Family Foundation
Bryan Dare Holdings Limited
Mildred G. Burrows*
Camiener Foundation
Mr. Nick A. Caporella
Mr. & Mrs. Silvio A. Cardoso
Mr. & Mrs. Woodrow W. Carter
Mr. & Mrs. John K. Castle
CC Homes a CodinaCarr Company
H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust
The Rhoda & David* Chase Family Foundation, Inc.
Mae Knight Clark*
Dr. John G. & Diana Clarkson
Louis & Virginia Clemente*
William H. Cochrane*
Mr. & Mrs. Miles Collier
Nina V. Collins*
Community Foundation for Palm Beach & Martin Counties
Robert Costigan*
Henry T. & Margarita Courtney
Howard E. Cox
Dr. & Mrs. Harvey J. Crocker
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew E. Cummins
The Dana Foundation
Ellaruth S. Davidson*
Mary Lynn Davis*
Mr. & Mrs. Jim H. Derryberry
Leonard W. Diener*
Lawrence J. & Florence A. De
George Charitable Trust*
Hermé de Wyman Miro*
Adele Dousseau*
Louis T. & Ann K. Donatelli
Drasner Family Foundation
The Lowell S. Dunn & Betty L. Dunn Family Foundation
Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation
Harvey C. & Linda J. Eads
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Ebstein*
Frances M. Elliott*
Amelia P. Farquhar*
Eric Feiler*
Mr. Mark Feldberg & Emily Page
The Fewell Family
Mr. & Mrs. Simon C. Fireman*
Ms. Elizabeth C. Fisher*
Dr. & Mrs. Marc L. Fishman
Bernice S. Fitzgerald*
The Jefferson Lee Ford III
Memorial Foundation
Helen W. Fraser*
Finker Frenkel Foundation
Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation
Friends for Life
Robert G. & Eugenie S. Friedman
Ms. Joyce Froot*
Ruth & August Geiger
Charity Foundation
Genentech, Inc.
John & Bonnie Geraghty
Mr.* & Mrs. Jules Gerson
Isadore Gilbert*
Saul & *Florette Gilinski
Glaucoma Research Foundation
Nellie F. Goettel*
Paul R. & Hattye S. Gordon*
Eleanor K. Graham*
Edward L. & Lois E. Grayson
M. Brenn & Selma W. Green*
Myron & Gladys Greentree*
Virginia E. Greenwald*
Mr. Otto Guidi*
Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo D. Gutierrez
Jane & Gene Guttman
Ms. Gloria B. Halpern*
Mr. & Mrs. Dana A. Hamel
The D.A. Hamel Family Charitable Trust
Mr. Sydney L. Hammer*
John L. Harshfield*
Dr. Lawrence & Doris Hastings*
Doris Hastings Foundation
Mickey Hayes*
Jean L. Haynes*
Claude Hemphill*
Mr. & *Mrs. Edward
L. Hennessy, Jr.
The Edward L. Hennessy, Jr. &
Ruth S. Hennessy Foundation
Emma Clyde Hodge
Memorial Foundation
Ms. Jessie S. Hoffman*
John* & Beverly Hoffman
Holly Jolly Foundation
Kenneth A. Horowitz
Family Foundation
Geraldine Howlett*
Ms. Gail Hughes Galli
Tim Ioannides, M.D.
Evangelina R. Jimenez*
Bill E. Johnson
Walter A. Kahn*
Marcus Kallman*
Katrina & Rick Kash
Mrs. Ardith D. Kenny
Michele & Howard Kessler
Jhamatmal* & Sumintra Kirpalani
Leonard & Norma Klorfine Foundation
Knight Foundation
Alan & Marilyn Korest*
Ms. Sharon L. Kranys
Mildred W. Kraus*
Mr.* & Mrs. Morton Kutner
Nathaniel H. Kutcher*
Mr. & Mrs. Gary Lachman
Lachman Family Foundation
Mrs. Rossi Larrea Rionda
Aurell H. Leaf
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lesser
Mr.* & Mrs. Howard Lester
Polly Annenberg Levee
Charitable Trust
Jeanne Schulman Leventhal*
Herman & Millicent Levinson*
Mr. & *Mrs. Richard D. Lewis
Marvin* & Kay Lichtman Foundation
Lighthouse Guild International
Dr.* & Mrs. Warren Lindau
Ms. Susan A. Litowitz*
Mrs. Dorothy F. Littman*
Carol Lucas*
Paul R. Lux*
Macula Vision Research Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Maounis
Ms. Helen Flesch Markowitz*
Richard Markowitz*
Daniel Marks*
Ms. Ann Maroni*
Mr.* & Mrs. Forrest Mars
Mrs. Charles A. Mastronardi*
Mr. & Mrs. David McCrea
McCrea Foundation, Inc.
John & Ellen McDonnell*
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald C. McDonough*
Mr. & Mrs. Randolph A. McKean
Merck & Company, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Meyer
Arthur l. & Sydelle F. Meyer
Charitable Foundation
M.H.B. Ophthalmics
The Miami Foundation
Miami Retreat Foundation
Hazel Dayton Mills*
Salomon Minuchin* & Ruth Kibrick
Luis R. & Ana M. Mola
Mr.* & Mrs. John M. Monter
Frank J. Morgan Family Fund
Welcome to our New Society Members
Mr.* & Mrs. Peter Mosheim
Pam & Alan Murray
Anne P. Myers*
Van & Jane Myers*
Mr. & Mrs. Wyckoff Myers*
Albert H. Nahmad
Albert H. & Jane D. Nahmad Foundation, Inc.
New World Medical, Inc.
Dorothy D. Noble*
North Dade Medical Foundation, Inc.
The Calvin & Flavia Oak Foundation
Olcott Family Foundation, Inc.
OTHERA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rye B. Page*
Palm Beach Community Trust Fund
Pfizer, Inc.
Mrs. Carl H. Pforzheimer, Jr.*
Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.
Mr. & Mrs. Earl W. Powell
Emily Powers*
Loretta Pritchard*
Mr. & Mrs. John Rakoske
Mr. James Randall
The Randall Family Foundation
Harvey T. & Christy Reid*
Jacob L. Reiss Foundation
RHEACELL GmbH & Co. KG
Mr. John W. Rich
Thomas E. Rodgers, Jr.
Mr. David S. Rosenberg*
Nat & Miriam Rosenthal*
Rhoda B. Rubin & Neil Felson
Mr. Joseph Rumbaugh*
Barbara* & Herbert E. Saks
Beatrice & William Sahm*
Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Aurel Sarosdy*
Ms. Shirlee Schiller
Jack Schillinger*
Jack* & *Marjorie Schillinger Family Foundation
Schwab Charitable Fund
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
The Berthold T.D. & Thyra Schwarz Foundation
Carl & Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation
Mr. Robert Shell*
Dr. & Mrs. Lawrence Singerman/ Retinal Vascular Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Rajendra Singh
Raj & Neera Singh Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Robert M. Sinskey Foundation
Don* & Connie McQueen Smith
Mrs. Lesley S. Smith/Fortin Foundation of Florida
The Randall & Barbara Smith Foundation
Thomas W. Smith Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Smith
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.
Milton Stein*
Elaine & Sydney Sussman Foundation, Inc.
The Elizabeth and Mitchell Taylor/ Jack Taylor Family Foundation
Mr. Jesse M. Teague*
Dr.* S. Henry& Sylvia Thaler
Richard E. Thiel
Gladys J. Toelle*
TopCon Corporation
Howard* & Patricia Toppel
Toppel Family Foundation
Daniel P. & Grace I. Tully*
United Way of MiamiDade County, Inc.
Harry & Margaret Uttal*
The Verdun Foundation/ Sir Kyffin D. Simpson
Gladys W. Wallace*
Nancy Sexauer Walsh*
The Sexauer Foundation
Mr. Alfred Walthers*
Charles H. & Elsie C. Warwick,III*
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Weeks
Alex J. Weinstein Foundation
Marcella U. Werblow*
Lena Wershaw*
Enid & Jerry Weygandt
The Dr. Jack Widrich Foundation
Mr.* & Mrs. Ross Whistler
Ms. Patricia Wilkinson*
Dr. & Mrs. Frank Williams
Mr. and Mrs. G. Ed Williamson, II
Mr. Benjamin Winter
Josephine A. Wolf*
Stephen & Delores Wolf
Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation
Rubin & Gladys Wollowick
Family Foundation
*In loving memory
Donations listed as of May 31, 2024
Bascom Palmer Society
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Eaton
The Bob & Connie Eaton Clinical Research Program Fund
The Edward D. & Janet K. Robson Foundation
In Honor of Harold Ross, M.D., Bernard Ross & Lola Ross Family Trust
Charles E. & Louise W. Springer
Norton Society
Mr. & Mrs. James E. Zagelmeyer
Luminary Society
Joan J. Ambrose*
Bailey Family Foundation Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Frederic S. Bogart
CC Homes a Codina-Carr Company
Henry T. & Margarita Courtney
Dr. & Mrs. Marc L. Fishman
Holly Jolly Foundation
Kenneth A. Horowitz Family Foundation
Tim Ioannides, M.D.
Mrs. Ardith D. Kenny
Mr. & Mrs. Nick Maounis
Mr. & Mrs. John Rakoske
Mrs. Lesly S. Smith
Fortin Foundation of Florida
The Randall & Barbara Smith Foundation
Founder Society
Dr. & Mrs. Alberto J. Aran
The Dorothy K. Archer Trust
Mike & Julie B. Connors
The Connors Foundation
The Marvin H. Davidson Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Alan M. Fisch
Frank & Helen Gofrank Foundation
Ms. Lynn B. Kislak
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krock
Thomas & Leslie Murphy
Ms. Sara O’Connell
Mr. Louis Ritchie
Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Roth
Vision Society
Mr. Joseph Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Phillipe J. Amouyal
Ms. Kathleen Barlow
Harold & Carol Baxter
Baxter Family Foundation
Sara Crown Star
Catherine G. Ebert
Ebert Charitable Foundation
Ms. Tricia L. Glah
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Goldstein
Mrs. Joan Gulley
Mr. William & Mrs. Luann Hoffman
Mr. & Mrs. Ruben Kliksberg
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krock
Mr. Ira M. Levenshon
Mr. & Mrs. Zvi Levin
National Christian Foundation
Twin Cities
Ms. Louise O’Brien
Ms. Esmeralda Poppinga
Mr. Timothy Sotos
Ms. Lindsay Stevens
Marjorie E. Stone & Ricardo Rodriguez
Catherine B. Stayer Family Foundation
Ellen M. Violet & Mary P.R.
Thomas Foundation, Inc.
Don & Diana Wingard
Ms. Maria Zoullas-Kaufman
Society for Encouraging Endowment
Ms. Joan Ambrose*
Ms. Sheila M. Bilbrey
Virginia Delany
Elsa Dirickx
Dana Clay Gong
Kathryn H. Miller Living Trust
John O’Brien*
Ms. Aloha Von Jasinski, RN, MN, CNS
The Founder Society
Recognized as The Founder Society at the University of Miami
The Founder Society honors donors who have supported Bascom Palmer’s mission with gifts totaling $50,000 – $99,999 which enable the Institute’s physicians and researchers to combat blinding eye disease.
Mr. & Mrs. Leonard L. Abess*
Dr. & Mrs. Eduardo C. Alfonso
American Hospital of Miami, Inc.
Dr. & Mrs. Alberto J. Aran
The Dorothy K. Archer Trust
Stanley H. & Jill Arkin*
Ruth Ann Asleson*
Mr. & Mrs. William Avery
Carlos A. Batlle
Dr. & Mrs. Ivan R. Batlle
Theodore Baumritter*
Lowry M. & *Diana M. Bell
Estate of Louis Berens
Jack & Elsie Bernstein Foundation
Crawford & Mary Bernstein*
Esther Blattner*
Ms. Judith Bloom
In memory of Edith June Blyler*
Catherine Breyer Van Bomel*
Cornelius Bond
Arnold Bortman*
Dr. Fred F. Brenner
Ms. Sara Broad
Norma & Larry Brodell*
Mr.* & Mrs. James Broderick
Florence F. Brooks*
John and Kristy Buck
Family Foundation
M. Anthony & Joyce Burns
Bryan & Julie Butzow
The Butzow Family
Mr. & Mrs. Marcio C. Cabrera
Mr. Alex G. Campbell
Mr. Michael Cantens
Ms. Phyllis Celestino*
Dr. Stanley & Jean Chang
Mr. L. Frank Chopin, Esq.
Mr. Jonathan Chariff
Mrs. Dana Clay Gong/ Bessemer Trust
Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Cohen
Mr. David A. Collins
Mike & Julie B. Connors
The Connors Foundation
Louella Cook Foundation
CooperVision Surgical, Inc.
Mr. John D. Copanos/The Kirk
A. Copanos Foundation
Corporate Management Advisors, Inc.
Marjorie & Irving Cowan*
Mr. & Mrs. Steven G. Curtis
Ms. Jenny Cyker
Dade Community Foundation
Dahlawi Family
The Marvin H. Davidson Foundation, Inc.
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation
Mr. Christopher C. Dewey
Mr. Joseph Dieppa
Dr. & Mrs. Peter Dockter
Ms. Florence B. Dowdy*
Mrs. Otto E. Dreikorn
Mr.* & Mrs. Alexander W. Dreyfoos
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Eads
Dr. Charles W. Eifrig
The Eye Bank for Sight Restoration, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce L. Everette
Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Inc.
Charles S. & L. Jean Faller
Mrs. Anita Feig
Feig Family Foundation
Mrs. Norma Matz Fenton*
Michael A. Fentress*
Dr. Maurice R. Ferre/ Cami Foundation,Inc.
Jose Luis Ferreira de Melo
Maurice & Gertrude Finkle*
Mr. Alan M. Fisch
Carl T. Fischer, Sr.*
Florman Family Foundation, Inc.
The Honorable Rex Ford
Dr. Richard K. & Janet Forster
Mr. Charles M. Foster
Mrs. Muriel S. Freund*
Adelaide Gambrill Bowen*
Dewey & Janet Gargiulo*
The Garner Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs.* Robert Y. Garrett III
The Marilyn Gaylord Charitable Trust
Mrs. Carole S. Gerstein
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Gilbert
Frank & Helen Gofrank Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Donald Golden
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Steven E. Goldman, Esq.
Mr. Hattye & *Paul Gordon
Samuel & Norma Gordon
Phyllis & *Lee Gorin
Richard C. & Francelia A. Gozon
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
Samuel Grossman
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Gurowitz
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hackleman
Mr. & Mrs. Lee F. Hager
Mrs. Patricia Hauben
Herman Haimovici, M.D.*
James M. Haley
Ms. Marjorie L. Haley*
Anne M. Heeb*
Elizabeth T. Heim & Margaret L. Rigby Memorial Fund*
Mary B. Hirsch*
Mr.* & Mrs. Tibor Hollo
Tibor & Sheila Hollo
Charitable Foundation
Mr. Michael D. Horvitz
The Inserra Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert H. Jacobi
Ann Powell Jacobs*
Dr. Norman & Ann Jaffe*
Ms. Birgit U. Jahina, C.P.A.
Jelco Overseas Limited
Lucille K. Johnson*
Dr. Eugene E. & Marlene Joyce
Hannah* & Marvin Kamin
Mr.* & Mrs. David Kantor
Ms. Michele Kaplan
Dr. Danielle Katz Squires
Michael Katz
Mr. Michael Kaufman
Mr.* & Mrs. W. George Kennedy
George & Joan Kessel
Keybank Foundation
Ms. Lynn B. Kislak
John S. & James L.
Knight Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Krock
Izola Kruger*
Mrs. Louis J. Kuriansky*
Robert E. & Ann D. Kusch
The Eleanor Naylor Dana Charitable Trust
Helene S. Lantz*
Anthony Lapka*
James & *Marjorie Leenhouts
Ms. Tova Leidesdorf
Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Leik
Michael R. Levine
Rose Lichtenstein*
Mr. Michael Liebowitz
Life in Naples Magazine
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thomas Lowe
R. Cathleen Cox McFarlane Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Jeannine P. Merrien*
Mr. Donald K. Miller
Dr. Fred Moll
Mr. & Mrs. Maren Moore
John & Sue Morrison
Mr. Austin Muller & Ms. Jill J. Otto
Mr.* & Mrs. Linton Murdock
Thomas & Leslie Murphy
Charles Nenner
Anne Niedwiecki*
Novartis
Belle Ochiltree*
Ms. Sara O’Connell
Mr. & Mrs. Jose Ortega
Dave & Deb Perkins
Mrs. Mary Perper
Phillips Foundation
The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc.
The Plum Foundation
Gladys Post*
Samir M. Ragheb
Gertrude Reis*
Retina Research Foundation
Guy B. Rhoton
Louis Richards*
Mr. Louis Ritchie
Harold & Carolyn Robison Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Rodack
Mildred Rohrlick*
William & Nancy Rollnick
William Rosenberg Family Foundation, Inc.
Diane Ross-Glazer, Ph.D
Choose the Best Appointment for Your Eye Care Needs
Bascom Palmer is committed to providing eye care in a safe and convenient environment. Now, you can choose between in-person or virtual visits.
Walter M. Ross
Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Roth
Helena Rubinstein Foundation
Mrs. Candace Ruskin
Irvin Saltzman Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Robert Samia
Sanbio, Inc.
John & Heloine Savoir
Mrs. Elfriede Schafler
Dr. Norman I. Schatz*
Anjette* & Fred Scheiman
Ruth Schumann*
Ms. Marsha Seidman
Mr. & *Mrs. Frank J. Semcer
Mrs. Josiah Shamroth
Edward W. Smith Jr. Foundation
Mrs. Janet L. Smith
Elaine Grosfield Spero*
Danielle L. Squires, M.D.
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Stayer
Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Stone
Steven B. & Caroline Tanger
J. Kenneth & Sandra Tate
Thomsen Foundation Inc.
Roy & Niuta Titus Foundation
Topcon Medical Systems Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Toussie
The Dennis Turner & Wallace Cook Families
United Way of Martin County
Mr. & Mrs. Roger A. Ward
Ware Bluegrass Foundation
Waterside Shops
Ms. Laura Weinsoff*
Robert S. Wennett & Mario Cader-Frech
Jeffrey D. Rubens/Westminster Barrington Foundation
The Wolf Foundation
Gladys DuBois Yaffey*
Harriet & Donald Young
Ghassan Zein
Mr. & Mrs. John Zelaya
Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Zelcer
Mr. & Mrs. Sy Ziv*
*In loving memory
Donations listed as of May 31, 2024
Virtual Visits
Many services you normally receive during an inperson visit can now be done with a virtual visit through a video chat or telephone call. A virtual visit with your eye doctor can determine if your condition can be treated safely at home or if you need an in-person visit at one of our locations. A virtual visit is a scheduled appointment with an eye doctor using your telephone or computer from the convenience and comfort of your home.
Do you have a common eye concern?
If so, a Rapid Virtual Eye Care Visit can be scheduled the same or next business day for common eye disorders such as:
• Styes
• Eyelid swelling or tenderness
• Tearing or watery eyes
• Red or pink eyes
• Dry eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Discharge from eyes
• Flashes or floaters
• Change in vision
Almost all of our providers offer virtual visit appointments. If you are a new patient and have not seen a Bascom Palmer doctor, our appointment office will make your appointment with a doctor who specializes in your eye condition.
How do I schedule a virtual visit?
For more information or to make an appointment, visit Bascompalmer.org, call 305-243-2020, or toll free 888-845-0002. Our appointment office is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT.
If you have any of these eye concerns, our doctors can diagnose, recommend treatment, and prescribe medications when indicated as soon as the same or the next business day. Most insurances cover this service; please refer to your insurance policy for coverage details. Service is limited to persons located in the state of Florida. Glasses and contact lens prescriptions are not provided through this service.
How do I schedule a Rapid Virtual Appointment?
Go to rapideyecare.com or call: 1-800-329-7000, option 2, then 1.
Eye Emergencies
If you are experiencing an eye emergency, Bascom Palmer’s Emergency Department is open in Miami 24/7, 365 days a year.
For all medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.
The Vision Society
Donors whose gifts total $10,000 – $49,999 are recognized in the Vision Society, honoring their vision of a world free of blindness.
Mr. & Mrs. Willam Abney
Mrs. Sam H. Abramson
Mrs. Ana Adler
Advanced Cell Technology
Advanced Medical Optics
Mrs. Anna R. Alberico*
Mr. Leo N. Albert*
John Alexander* Alimera Sciences, Inc.
Mrs. Angela Alvarez
AMO USA, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Philippe J. Amouyal
August S.* & Bette Andersen
Dr. Douglas & Wirtley Anderson
The Angels of Charity, Inc.
Anonymous
Mr. Roy P. Ans
Mr. & Mrs. Andrew L. Ansin
Viola J. Anterburn, Jr., Esq.*
The Jack & Harriet Appel Foundation Trust
The Applebaum Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Harold N. Asiel
Mr. & Mrs. Ural Ataman
Mr. Herman Auerbach*
Mr. Burton August
David C. Auth, Ph.D., P.E.
Mr. Richard E. Azar
Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Baer
Barbara & Gerson
Bakar Foundation
Vernon* & Eva Ball
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Baird*
Mr. Luis Bared
Ms. Kathleen Barlow
Mr. & Mrs. H. Barnhouse
Joan B. & Richard L. Barovick Family Foundation
Mr. Myron B. Bauer
Mr. Lang Baumgarten
Harold & Carol Baxter
Baxter Family Foundation
Ms. Paula A. Bebj
Dr. Carmine & Carol Bedotto
Mr. James A. Bell*
Dr. Stuart H. Bender
Bernie Bercuson*
Dr. & Mrs. Leonard Berg
Estate of Louis Berens
In memory of Milton Bergman*
Judy Bergman
Dr. Samuel Berkowitz
Malcolm & Sandra R. Berman
Mr. Morris Bernhard*
Mrs. Helen B. Bernstein-Fealy*
I. Jack & Elsie Bernstein Foundation
Better Vision Institute
Roger E. & Mary L. Birk
David* & Susan Bisgeier
The Bauer Bisgeier Foundation
Harold & Erika Bishins*
Alfreda Blagaich-Smith
Lawrence J. & Lynn M. Blanford
Esther Blattner*
Helen P. Blauvelt*
Dr. & Mrs. Christopher F. Blodi
Marie Bloom & *Theodore A. Deckert
Morris & *Olga Bluestein
Ms. Leslie N. Bluhm
Ms. Jeanne Blumberg*
Ms. Florence R. Blunden*
In memory of Edith June Blyler *
D. Dixon Boardman
Ms. Constance M. Boggild*
Mrs. Sorrel Ross Bollet*
Mr. Samuel Bolnik*
Ms. Lydia Borgatta
Dr. Elizabeth Bowden
Anita & *Leonard Boxer
Mr.* & Mrs. William M. Boyer
John F. & Denise M. Bracco
Charles W. Brand
Gordon & Trudy Brekus*
Arthur* & Marilynn Bressman
Breyer Foundation Inc.
Mr.* & Mrs. Henry W. Breyer, III
Mr. Jack Brier
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Brisker
The Shepard Broad Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James L. Broadhead
Mr. & Mrs. William Broeder
Mrs. Rena M. Broidy*
Mr.* & Mrs. Sheldon V. Brooks
Sara B. Brorein
Mr. Colon Brown, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. John B. Brown
Mr. And Mrs. James J. Bruder
The Brunetti Foundation
Mr. James Bryan/Auto Team Management
Mr. Ken Bryfogle, Jr.
Mrs. Blanche S. Buck*
Faye Buchbinder*
Dr. Helmut*& Heide Buettner
Mr. and Mrs. J. Gary Burkhead
Elsie Burstein
David H. & Betty J. Burrows
Betty M. & David H. Burrows, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. George Bursak
Jean J. Busch
Mr. Samuel T. Byron
Mrs. Joanne B. Calafiura
Rita Campo
Mr. & Mrs. Hilario F. Candela
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Mrs. Iris Cantor
Robert & Colette N. Cardone
Ms. Hazel H. Carlson*
Mr. Joseph L. Carlton
Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Carmel
Mr. Robert A. Carnavil
Mr. Michael A. Carpenter
Ms. Joy Carr
Thomas J. & Constance Cassady*
Daniel S. Catalfumo Family Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Nancy Cath*
Mr. & Mrs. Terrence W. Cavanaugh
John Cavender, M.D.
Sy & Joyce Chadroff
Mr. Philip H. Chakeres
Mr. & Mrs. Alberto Chamorro
Mrs. Leona Chanin
Marcy & Leona Chanin Foundation
Ms. Susan S. Channing
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey R. Chaplin/Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Alvah H. & Wyline P. Chapman Foundation
Dr. Steve Charles
A. Mabis & Jane Chase*
Dr. Percival & Carolyn Chee
Mr. & Mrs. Te Chen Chengdu Kanghong Biotechnology Co. Ltd.
Dr. Renate Chevli
Dr. Narem Chevli
The Chicago Community Foundation
Clarity Medical Systems, Inc.
Dr. & Mrs. Robert L. Clark
Dr. S. William Clark, III
Dr. Henry Clayman* Clayman Family Charitable Foundation
Coastal Construction Serv. Group
Mr. Charles E. Cobb/The Cobb Family Foundation
Alan & Myrna Cohen Family Foundation
Ms. Carol Rae Cohen
Dr.*& Mrs. Nathan Cohen
Jean & David Colker*
Mrs. Mary Call Darby Collins*
Collins Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Connecticut School of Broadcasting
James J. Colt Foundation, Inc.
CooperVision Surgical, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Harold F. Corrigan
Mr. & Mrs. George J. Cosgrove
Dr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Coulter
Shirley I. Cowell*
Ms. Mazie Cox
Mrs. Pauline W. Crawford*
Judge A. Jay & Eleanor Cristol*
William E. Cross Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Gary B. Crouch
Mrs. Sara Crown Star
Robert Crystal
Dr. William Culbertson
Dr. Victor & Mary Louise Curtin*
Jeanne Curtiss*
Mr. & Mrs. Enrique Cusco
Mrs. Alice Ginther Cutrona
Judge Irving* & Hazel Cypen
Patricia Dahl
The Eleanor Naylor Dana Charitable Trust
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Danker
Ms. Alice L. Davidson*
James L. Davis*
Shelia Smith Davis
Ms. Martha Debrule
Gerard & Brooke de Gunzburg
Mary De Gunzburg*
John & Elizabeth Deinhardt*
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Deitch
Leslie Delman
Steven Feig/Delray Lighting, Inc.
Dr. David R. DeMartini
Mrs. Cecile L. Demers*
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Denison
Kausal & Deutsch Family Foundation
The Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Mel Dick
Edward L. Diefenthal
Mr. Henry T. Diehl*
Mrs. Maureen M. Donell
Robert G. Miranda Donnelley
Virginia P. Dooley*
Karyn & Stuart Dornfield
Mr. & Mrs. James Dorsey Dreman Foundation
Mr. Irving L. Duchan
Dr.* Lee R. & Alvina Duffner
Mr. & Mrs. Tully F. Dunlap
Mr.* & Mrs. Atwood Dunwody
Peter & Pamella Dupuis
Mary Elizabeth Durant*
Mrs. Jill Eber
Catherine G. Ebert
Ebert Charitable Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Aaron J. Edelstein
Margaret Edelstein*
The Robert & Gail Edelstein Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Stefan Edlis
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Edwards
The Eliasberg Family Foundation, Inc.
Gary & Janet Ellis
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Elmore*
The Dorothy Erismann Foundation
Ms. Caroline Ervin
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ervin
The Saul & Theresa Esman Foundation
Doug Esson & Carol Gilman
Mr.* & Mrs. Daniel Ettlinger
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce L. Evans
Mr. and Mrs. William Everett
Mr. Jeffrey P. Eves
The Eye Bank for Sight Restoration, Inc.
Ms. Frieda Fain*
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph V. Farago
Mr. Donald R. Farquhar*
Mr. Mark Feldberg
Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Fields*
Fifth Third Bank
Mr. Russell W. Fisher
Dr. & Mrs. Yale Fisher
Ms. Anne Fleisher*
Dugald A. Fletcher
Florescue Family Foundation
Dr. Harry W. & Donna D. Flynn
Dr.* & Mrs. John T. Flynn
Jeanne J. Ford*
Anne Halapin Francis*
Charlotte & Morton Frank*
Mrs. Joan M. Frazier
Ms. Louise Freas*
Dr. Ronald Frenkel/The Meyer & Anna Prentis Family Foundation
Mr. William Fricks/ Fricks Foundation
Kathy & Fritz Friday
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Friedland*
Fred & Jane Friedman
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Fuchs
Mr. & Mrs. Irving Fuchs*
Dr. Tadashi & Toshi Fujino
Michael S. Fuller & Jerry L. Lewis
Dr. Wayne E. & Helen Fung
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Gaines
Mr. & Mrs. Muriel Gammage*
In honor of Dr. Donald Gass*
Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Gelb
Dr. & Mrs. Henry Gelender
Mr. Bertram Milfred Gerson
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas S. Gerspacher
Robert A. Giacin/Community Service Foundation Of Broward County
John W. & Virginia W. Gildea
Ms. Grace M. Gilson*
Mr. Mario Gimenez*
Ms. Tricia L. Glah
Drs. Joel Glaser* & Norman
J. Schatz* Fund at The Miami Foundation
Mr. & Ms. Alvin Glasgold
GlaxoSmithKline
Ms. Marion Golden
Mr. Irving Goldman*
Ms. Helen A. Goldsmith*
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Goldstein
Ms. Myriam Goldsmith
& Mr. Hector Duer
Mr. & Mrs. Rick Goldsmith
Marilyn Goldstein*
The Gopman Family
Dr. Ken Gordon
Michael S. Gordon
Mr.* & Mrs. Morton Goudiss
The Tamra Gould & Howard Amster II Philanthropic Fund
Mary M. Graham
Barbara Greene
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Gressel
Greystone Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Gary R. Gross
Chateau Ocean, LLC
Susen & Herb Grossman
Mrs. Joan Gulley
Cecil Hackett
Ms. Dorothy E. Hadden*
Lauren F. Hager, Esq.
Irma Haigh*
Mr. James M. Haley
George E. Hall
Mr. Malcolm Hall
The Henry E. Haller, Jr. Foundation
Mr. Roy Halman
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Halmos
Mrs. Harriet C. Halpryn
Edgar Hamm Trust
Maximo Handel*
Sol & Minnie Handwerker
Ms. Paula J. Harris
Dr.* & Mrs. Glen Harrison
Mr. James C. Hartenstein
Fred L. Hartley Family Foundation
Abraham* & Wendy Hases
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Haymes
Mrs. Roscoe G. Haynie*
Ms. Ghislaine H. Head
Mr. & Mrs. Philip E. Hecht
Mr. David J. Heffernan*
Mr. Allen G. Heintzelman*
Mrs. Lorna S. Heisler
Mr. Ingeborg Helfers*
Mr. Mrs. Jeff Henley/ J & J Family Foundation
Ted* & Carole Hepburn
Mrs. Marjorie T. Herdon
Mr. & Mrs. Javier Herran
Lester K. & Mildred Hersch
Mr. Elliot Hershberg
Ms. Mary Louise Hieber*
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hills
George F. Hilton, M.D.*
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Hochwald*
Doris & Martin Hoffman Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. William & Mrs. Luann Hoffman
Bernice Hokin
Mercedes G. Holey*
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Hollub
Mr. Don Horwitz
The Hovey Foundation
Ms. Geraldine Howlett*
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence D. Howell II
House of Blues Entertainment, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley S. Hubbard
The Hubbard Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. David M. Hunter*
Sanford & Judith Huston
Francoise Hutchison*
Mrs. Arthur Huttoe
Dr.* William L. & Sue Hutton
Ida Hutzler Charitable Trust
The International Research Foundation for Children’s Eyecare Inc.
Intralase Corporation
Investors Trust Assurance SPC
IOP, Inc.
ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Dikran Izmirlian
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Jaar
J.A.B. Ophthalmics
Dr. & Mrs. Scott L. Jaben
Mr. Ralph E. Jackson, Jr.
Lola & Donald* Jacobson
Dr. Norman & Ann Jaffe*
Mr.* & Mrs. John C. Jansing
Ms. Anna H. Jennings*
Dr. & Mrs. Andrew G. Jessiman
Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland
Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
Jewish Guild Healthcare
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas L. Johnson
Mr. & Mrs. Tom W. Johnson
Johnsonville Holding, Inc.
Alfred L. Johnston
Mr. Joseph Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Hyman Joseph*
Dr. Eugene E. & Marlene Joyce
Ruth B. Kamaiko*
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Kamis
Mr. & Mrs. Burton Kahn*
Mr. & Mrs. Morton Kalin
Mr. George A. Karam
Helene C. Karp
Jeanne Kaskey*
Mrs. Margaret A. Kassab*
Mr. & Mrs. William Kassling
Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Kasztl
Ms. Margot Kaufmann*
Mr. & Mrs. Arne Kauppinen*
Ms. Mildred Kaye*
Ms. Shirley H. Keeti*
KeyBank National Association
Karl Kirchgessner Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kelley
Mr. Henry A. Keller, Sr.*
Mrs. Elizabeth L. Kelly*
Ms. Helen P. Kelly*
Mr. & Mrs. James Kempe
Mrs. Ardith D. Kenny
Wendel & *Evelyn Kent
George & Joan Kessel
Edward Kesten
Keybank Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Kinney
Dr.* & Mrs. Ralph E. Kirsch
Mr. & Mrs. Jay Kislak
The Kislak Family Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Iris Kite*
Ms. Helene Klein*
Mr. & Mrs. Ruben Kliksberg
Dr. Elliot & Fruema Klorfein*
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Henry O. Koehler*
Ms. Fay Koenig*
Ms. Nancy Komorowski
Dr. Dwain G. & Patricia Fuller
Mr. Bahaa R. Hariri
Caryl & Keith Jaffee / Jaffee Family Trust
Mr. Robert A. Kotick
The Vision Society
Ms. Meline B. Kovacik
Mrs. Roz Kovens
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Kramer
Mr. Mario Kreutzberger
Dr. & Mrs. Jan W. Kronish
Joseph Kubacka, Jr.
Mr. Ben Kuehne
Lawrence & Marcia Kunken
Jeffrey C. Kusch
Gertrude G. La Londe*
Ann W. LaFontaine*
Mr. & Mrs. John Lance
Landon Family Foundation
The Kenneth A. Lattman Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lauer
Mr. A.J.W. Le Bien*
Mrs. Mary J. Leahey*
The Gary & Bernice Lebbin Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Max Lebow*
Mr. Bruce B. Lederman
Patricia Lee
Dr. Richard Lee
Aleathea V. Leonard*
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Leonard
Ainsworth Leslie
A. & S. Leslie Family Trust
Richard & Kathy Lesser
Mr. William Levenson*
Mr. Ira M. Levenshon
Mr. & Mrs. Zvi Levin
Dr. Bern M. Levine
Ruth Levkoff
Ms. Gerda Levy
Dr. Mary Lou Lewis & Mr. Jack* Lewis
Mrs. Lynn Liddell
Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Liddy
Lile Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James Lillie
Mr. & Mrs. Peter B. Lilly
Mr. Walter Linde
George L. Lindemann, Jr.
Mr. Dennis Ling & Mrs. Janice Teal
Lipman Family Farms
Mr. Meyer Lipson*
Mr. Gus Lobenwein*
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Lombart
Barbara Collins Longe
Paul R. Lux*
The Macula Society
Mrs. David Mahoney
Mrs. France Maichin*
The Mailman Foundation
Ms. Jacqueline Malloy
Ms. Ruth Malloy*
Ms. Helena A. Manning*
Mrs. Mary Mikesell Mapp*
Charles B. & Helga Marqusee
Jaime & Magda Marti
Julia & Morris Mash*
Karen B. Mashkin, Ph.D.
Mrs. Carrie Turino Mastronardi*
Mr. William M. Matthews
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Mayer
Dr. & Mrs. John B. McBeath
The McCashin Family
Robert & Lorraine McCashin
Ms. Patricia A. McConnell
Clare Broeker McCormick*
Robert J. McDonald
Brenda & John McGlade
Mrs. Erin McGould
Mr. James McIntosh
Dr. & Mrs. Paul J. McKenna
Dr. & Mrs. Brian R. McKillop
Ms. Evelyn E. McLaughlin*
Ms. Maureen M. McLaughlin
Amy B. & *William McLean, Jr.
Mr. Michael B. McLearn
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel McLendon*
Mr. & Mrs. Jack W. Meadors, III
Dr. Jerry & Rhona Meislik
MEJOR Fund
Mellon Private Wealth Management
Mr. Eric Mendelson
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Menowitz
The Harold & Sophie Menowitz Foundation
Dr. & Mrs. Mark F. Mergen
Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc.
Thomas M.* & Sarah V. Mettler
Deborah Meyer*
Lena Meyers*
The Miami Foundation
Pauline & George Michel, Jr.
Dr. & Mrs. Edward S. Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Miller
Gerald M. & Carole A. Miller
Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Monroe Milstein
Mitchell Wolfson, Sr. Foundation
Ms. Susanne Mock*
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mondshine
Antonietta Mongillo
Mr. & Mrs. Dudley L. Moore
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Moran
Mr. Southwood J. Morcott
Mr. Andres Moreno
Mr. & Mrs. Herbert N. Morgan
Joyce Wallace Morgan
Frank N.* & Deborah Morgenstern
Mr. H. B. Morley
Mr. Robert Moser
Ms. Marion F. Mosher*
Ms. Mildred B. Mount*
Florence Green Mufson*
Mrs. Colleen Murphy & Mr. Paul Skapura
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas P. Murphy, Jr.
John P. Murray Jr. Family
Joseph L. Muscarelle Foundation, Inc.
Peter L. Myers
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Myrua
Mr.* & Mrs. Robert Naegele
National Christian Foundation Twin Cities
Mr. & Mrs. Randy Nelson
Robert & Judi Newman
Family Foundation
Naples Daily News
Neovista, Inc.
Neurotech USA, Inc.
Erika Ehrlich Newman
Mary & John Nice
Nidek, Incorporated
Anne Niedwiecki*
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Nolan
Northern Trust Bank of Florida
Northern Trust, N.A.
Northern Trust Bank
West Florida Region
Novartis
Novartis Farmaceutica, S.A. De C.
Novartis Pharma Logistics Inc.
Ms. Louise O’Brien
Mr. & Mrs. Robert M. Oliver III
Drs. Karl R. Olsen & Martha E. Hildebrandt
William & Joyce O’Meara
Ophthotech Corporation
Optical Department of Miami/Angel Perez Optovue, Inc.
Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.
Dr. Robert & Barbara Osher
Ms. Elizabeth Padron
Mr. Jose O. Padron
Padron Family Foundation, Inc.
Palm Healthcare Foundation
Mrs. Helen E. Palmer*
Ms. Phyllis Palmer Dirkes
PanOptica, Inc.
Ms. Joan Goldstein Parker
The Payne Fund
Bernard S.* & Marjorie D. Peck
Mrs. Ursula Peckerman
Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Pedone
Norma K. Perdue*
Dr. David Perlberg*
Helen Perlberg*
Mary Jane Perlberg*
Mr. Stanley Perlmeter*
Mrs. Joseph Pesenti
Mr. & Mrs. Paul A. Pettenaro
Ms. Margaret C. Peyton
Ms. Sybil A. Pickett*
Mr. Julius Edward Pierce*
Mr.* & Mrs. Richard C. Pietrafesa
Mr. & Mrs. Frank T. Pilotte
Leonard Pinchuk, Ph.D.
Ms. Gertrude Piotrkiewicz*
Mr. Frank H. Poe*
Mrs. Beatrice Polevoy
Mr. Sheldon S. Polish
Ms. Zwia Pollen*
Mr. & Mrs. J. Pollio Jr.
Pollio Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Harvey L. Poppel
Ms. Esmeralda Poppinga
Sir Edward & *Lady
Anna Lee Porter
Mr. Alan H. & Dr. Brigitt
Rok Potamkin
Dr. & Mrs. Irwin Potash
Potentia Pharmaceuticals
Dr. James O. Powell
Mrs. Dorothy Preefer*
Prevent Blindness Florida
Mr. & Mrs. Lance R. Primis
Mr. & Mrs. John Pulling
Mr. Patrick Putzi
Mr. & Mrs. Leroy B. Raffel
Ms. Jean B. Rand*
Ms. Berthola Rasmussen*
Mrs. Ruth T. Rauch
Ms. Adele G. Reed*
Ms. Mary C. Reilly*
Ms. Emily Reily*
Fred A. Reisman
Eli Reiss & Sally T. Reiss
Intervivos Trust
Mr. B. Coleman Renick, Jr.
Mrs. Stella A. Renshaw*
Retina Research Foundation
Ms. Janice Revitz
J. Walter* & Phyllis H. Rex
Oliver A. Reynolds*
Guy B. Rhoton
Mrs. Marion Rice*
Louis Richards
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Rickert
Eric Ridder, Jr.
Helen Rider*
Rifkin Family Foundation
Leandro Rizzuto Foundation
Gussie Robbins
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Robinson
Gilbert J. Rose, M.D.
Ms. Leslie Rose*
Jerry Rosenbaum, M.D.
Kenneth Rosenberg Foundation
Bernis & *Richard Rosenbloom
Dr. Steven I. & Lisa Rosenfeld
In honor of Philip J. Rosenfeld from a grateful patient
Mr. & Mrs. Barry P. Rosenthal
The Rosenstiel Foundation
Ms. Nancy Ross
Matthew Roth
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Roth
Ronnie Roth
Justin Rothberg/Eyes Ahead
Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Rothfuss*
Bill Rowley/Healthnetwork Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Walter H. Rubin
Walter* & Lucille Rubin Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Rudnick*
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr.
Ms. Lela S. Rumill*
Louise Runnells
Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Rush
Rush Family Charitable Trust
Kathryn J. Rybovich
Mr. Jacob & Shari Safra
Albert* & Carolyn Sakolsky
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Saltzman
Mr.* & Mrs. Don Salyer
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Samet
Sanbio, Inc.
Dr. & Mrs. Joel Sandberg
Mrs. Irene Sands*
Mrs. Nelson P. Sanford*
Santen Incorporated
Santen Holdings
Ms. Sharon M. Saraniti
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Sarnoff*
Mr.* & Mrs. Thomas A. Saunders III
Ms. Madelyn Savarick
John & Heloine Savoir
Andree & Ed Scanlon
Ms. Helen L. Schacht
Max & Evelyn Schacknow Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Rosalind Schaffer*
Schepens International Society
Mark P. Schnapp
Mr. Alan Neil Schneider*
Dr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Schwartz
Barbara Schoenfeld
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Schwartz
Dr. Berthold E. Schwarz*
Mr. Donald B. Scott, Sr.
Ralph & Liesel Scott
Dr. Ronald L. Seeley
Senville Foundation
Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine
Dr. Raymond Sever
Mrs. Edythe Shamroth
The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation
Jay B. Shapiro, Esq.
Mr. Abraham Shaulson/ Botanical Trust
Linda & Mike Shepherd
Lawrence C. Sherman*
Morris Shiveck & Lois Russell
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Shore
Dr. & Mrs. Harry Shpiner*
Richard G. Shugarman, M.D.*
Mrs. Adele Siegel
Philip T. Siegel, DDS
Dr. David W. Sime
Mr. William Simon
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph A. Singer
Sirion Therapeutics, Inc.
Ms. Emma R. Siskind*
Ms. Theresa M. Slater*
Eunice Sloan
Joan Kennedy Slocum
The Honorable* & Mrs.
David S. Smith
Ms. Jacqueline A. Smith
Mrs. Bertha P. Smolian*
Ms. Madeline Solberg*
Malcom W. & Lorrain
Sommerville-Hall
Morris Sosnow*
Sarah Soter
Mr. Timothy Sotos
Elmor* & Anna Spector
Leslie W. Spero
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Spillis
Dr. Thomas J. Stafford
J. Harold Stanley, M.D.
Sara Crown Star
Starlight Children’s Foundation
Mrs. Corinne H. Starlight*
Mr.* & Mrs. Roger A. Starner
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin M. Statler
Mr. & Mrs. Albert Staton
Mr. & Mrs. William Stavropoulos
Catharine B. Stayer
Family Foundation
Laura Stayer
Bernard Sternlight*
Madeliene B. Sternlight*
Ms. Lindsay Stevens
Mr.* & Mrs. Charles T. Stewart
Fredric & Catherine Stinson
Claire J. Stocking
Marjorie E. Stone & Ricardo Rodriguez
Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Stone
Ronald G. Stone
Frank Strick Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Stucker
Mr.* & Mrs. Harry Sugarman
Dr. & Mrs. Gary L. Sullivan
Suram Trading Corporation
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Takach
Ms. Sophia Talazko
Drs. Myron & Monica Tanenbaum
Mr. & Mrs. H. Mark Tanner
Theodore & Alice Tarone
Mr. & Mrs. Orlando Teruzzi*
Stanley & Joni Tate
Mrs. Carolyn C. Taub
Mr. Ralph Tawil
Ellen M. Violet & Mary P.R. Thomas Foundation, Inc.
Thomsen Foundation Inc.
Niki & Tom Thompson
Thrombogenics, Inc.
Tokyo Optical Co., Ltd.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Tomsich
Rick, Margarita & Steven Tonkinson
Mr.* & Mrs. Harold Toppel
The Trotta Family
Mr. Ken Truitt / Lubris BioPharma
Drs. David & Jean Tse
Dr. David N. & Lynda Tucker
Mrs. Helen Uchitel*
United Jewish Community of Broward County
Univision-Media Vista Group
Dr. Raksha Urs
Mrs. Harry Uttal*
Mr. & Mrs. Bharat Vakil
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Jorge C. Valls
Mr. & Mrs. William L. Van Alen
Kent-Lucas Foundation
Mr. Henry Van Milligan*
Dr. & Mrs. Mylan Van Newkirk
Janet & Dennis Vasey
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Vecellio
Vista Building Maintenance Service, Inc.
Harry Webster Walker*
Gary R. Wallace
Dr. Wilson K. & Karen Wallace
Mr. & Mrs. John R. Walter
Irving Waltman, Esq.
Dr. John D. & Mrs.
Josephine Wang
Ms. Xiaojin Wang
Mr. & Mrs. George E. Wardeberg
Ms. Nancy Palmer Wardropper
Mr. & Mrs. Edward G. Watkins
The Weiler FoundationBartlett Burnap
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Weiner
Mr. Jaime D. Weisinger
Ms. Marian Weisman*
K.B.* & Edna Weissman
Mr. & Mrs. Jack F. Welch
John F. Welch Jr., Foundation
Arthur & Gullan Wellman/ Medical Research Trust
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Mr. & Mrs. Randall Whitman
Ms. Julia Wiest*
Wikstrom Foundation
Stella & Hack Wilson
Family Foundation
Nina J. Williams, Esq.*
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene B. Willner
Wilmington Trust
Mr. & Mrs. Don Winer
Don & Diana Wingard
Jack & Maxine Wishart Charitable D. Trust Lisa W. Chaffin & Family-
Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Wishnack
Mr. Dean & Jane B. Woodman
Erving & Joyce Wolf Foundation
Anne Wolfers Revocable Trust
Zelma S. & Henry E. Wolff*
Ms. Jeri L. Wolfson/ The Wolfson Foundation
Amy Wollowick
Norman Woodlief, M.D.
Mrs. Sara Hopkins Woodruff* WPBT2
Mr. & Mrs. Allen Wyett
Jerome A. Yavitz Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Stephen H. Cypen, President
Dr. Lawrence A. Yannuzzi/ Macula Foundation
The Harry & Rose S. Zaifert Foundation
Dr. Harvey Zalaznick
Carl Zeiss Surgical, Inc.
Ms. Maria Zoullas-Kaufman
*In loving memory Donations listed as of May 31, 2024
This society recognizes those individuals who ensure Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s legacy by making the Institute a beneficiary of their estate or financial plans. Please let us know if you have included Bascom Palmer in your estate plans so we may recognize your investment in our future.
Ms. Joan Ambrose*
Ms. Laura Arbree
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Carl Bernard Apfel*
Capt. Eugene K.* & Muriel M. Auerbach
Dr. Joyce K.S. Babiak
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Bamieh
Dr.* & Mrs. William J. Barrison, Jr.
Lillian C. Batchelor*
Lang Baumgarten
Ms. Sheila M. Bilbrey
Alfreda Blagaich-Smith
John E. Blair*
Helen P. Blauvelt*
Mrs. Michele R. Bowman
Mr.*& Mrs. William M. Boyer
Charles W. Brand*
Marty B. Bruder, in loving memory of Mom
Lillian M. Bruder
Robert Buck*
Mildred G. Burrows*
Willard C. Butcher*
M. Louise Cason, MD
Dorothy Cason Family Trust
Mrs. Phyllis W. Celestino*
Mr.* & Mrs. William H. Cochrane
Samuel I. Cohen*
Ms. Linda Diane Cosner
Mary Lynn Davis*
Virginia Delany
Cecile L. & Norman E. Demers*
Elsa Dirickx
Mrs. Otto E. Dreikorn
Mr.* Eric Feiler
Mr.* & Mrs. David Fenton
Pamela Ferguson
The Fewell Family
Neil* & Celia Finn
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Fleur
Adelaide Gambrill Bowen*
Mr. Steve N. Gavalas
In honor of Dr. Harry W. Flynn
Glenn H. Friedt, Jr.*
Mrs. Bernard D. Glaser
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Glass*
Marilyn Goldstein*
Dana Clay Gong
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Gordon
Barbara U. Greene
Myron & Gladys Greentree*
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Grossett*
Jane & Gene Guttman*
Harold & Josephine Hadley
Herman Haimovici, M.D.*
Sue H. Halpern
Maximo Handel*
Doris Hart
Mr.* & Mrs. Abraham Hases
Mr. & Mrs. C. Earl Haymond
Mickey Hayes*
Elizabeth T. Heim & Margaret
L. Rigby Memorial Fund*
Mr. & Mrs. John Henry
Dianne E. Hickey/ In memory of MaryJean Lowry Markey
Audrey M. Hickman*
Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell H. Honsinger
Mr. & Mrs. William Humcke
Mr.* & Mrs. David Jacobson
Bill E. Johnson*
Christine Johnson In honor of Dr. Benjamin
Jeanne Kaskey*
M. Kaufman
Ms. Laurel Kaufman
Thomas N.* & Patricia R. Kearns
Sean & Sharon Kenny
Mr. & Mrs. Henry Kessler
Ruth & Arthur Kleindienst
Lynne Kosnitzky
Mr. & *Mrs. Marvin Krantz
Joseph Kubacka Sr.*
Gary S. Lachman, Esq.
Mr.* & Mrs. Richard L. Larimore
Aurell Leaf
Aleathea V. Leonard*
Ronald*& Alicia Lepke
Henri & Flore Lesieur Foundation
Bern M. Levine, D.V.M.
Mrs. William Levine
Herman & Millicent Levinson*
Dr.* & Mrs. Warren Lindau
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Lipps
Bessie Jackson Lunn*
Mr. & Mrs. William Maurer*
Ramonia Mayhall*
Joseph Thomas Wilson
McCaughey*
Mr. & Mrs. Jack W. Meadors
Gordon R. Miller, M.D.*
H. Jack & Evelyn B. Miller
Kathryn H. Miller Living Trust
Carleton* & Ruth H. Mitchell
David & Mary Moliver
Mr.* & Mrs. Delos G. Morton
Mrs. Mildred B. Mount
Linton F. Murdock
Erika Ehrlich Newman*
Ms. Catherine Newton
Anne Niedwiecki*
Frederic S. & Christine
B. Nusbaum
John O’Brien*
Annette Paris*
Ways To
Theodore & Genevieve Pelikan
Mrs. Joseph A. Pesenti
Patricia H. & Leo H. Phillips, Jr.
Mrs. Geraldine E. Phipps
Mr. Romeo Pompilio
Lillian Redlich*
Fred A. Reisman
Eli Reiss & Sally T. Reiss
Intervivos Trust
Judy W. Renick* / Renick Trust
Adolph & Ella Rosenthal*
Rhoda Rubin
Eliza Phillips Ruden*
Dr.* & Mrs. Irving Rutkin
Beatrice & William Sahm*
Barbara* & Herbert E. Saks
Helen Scrimgeour*
Samuel Seitlin*
Lawrence C. Sherman*
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph M. Shore
Mr. Barton Sklansky
Eunice Sloan
Ambassador* & Mrs.
David S. Smith
Drs. David* & Maureen Smith
George B. Smith*
Mrs. Jean G. Smith
Vondora Marie Stickler
Mr.* & Mrs. Harry Sugarman
William J. Thode III*
John R.* & Anita Timmel
Heather E. Traendly*
Kenneth Trumbull
Lorraine Trumbull Meyer*
Vickie Dodds & Bud Urban
Elsie & Tolly Vinik*
Ms. Aloha Von Jasinski, RN, MN, CNS
Dr. Wilson K. Wallace
Charles H. & Elsie C. Warwick, III*
Caroline Weiss
Lena Wershaw*
Richard G. West
Mr. & Mrs. T. Jack White*
Annabelle P. Whistler*
Mr. Edward Wilcox
Ms. Patricia Wilkinson*
Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Winter
Jack & Maxine Wishart
Charitable D. Trust -
Lisa W. Chaffin & Family
Ms. Nadine Zarcone
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Zorovich
*In loving memory
As of May 31, 2024
23 Times at #1 in USA: A Clear Difference You Can See
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute has once again been ranked the nation’s best in ophthalmology by board-certified ophthalmologists in the U.S. News & World Report annual survey. It’s more than an honor, it’s a tribute to our superb physicians and extraordinary team who work endlessly to always put our patients first. While we are honored to be #1, it’s our patients who really come out on top.
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Anne Bates Leach Eye Center 900 NW 17 Street Miami, Florida 33136 305-326-6000
