Tackling the Most Difficult Challenges

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

As Bascom Palmer enters its seventh decade, we continue to build on our rich tradition of scientific discovery and clinical innovation. With your support, our researchers are tackling some of the most difficult challenges in ophthalmology, as highlighted in this issue of Images.

For example, we have recently established the Mark J. Daily Inherited Retinal Diseases Research Center thanks to the support of Mark J. Daily, M.D., a distinguished Illinois ophthalmologist who completed his residency here in 1977. This new center will provide a dedicated home for our scientific research, clinical trials, patient care, and medical education; advancing care for pediatric and adult patients with vision-stealing genetic disorders.

We also welcome the arrival of Felipe A. Medeiros, M.D., Ph.D., one of the world’s leading glaucoma experts, as professor of ophthalmology and vice chair of translational research. Dr. Medeiros brings a deep understanding of biostatistics and bioinformatics and uses advanced clinical and research tools like artificial intelligence and virtual reality applications to diagnose and treat patients with glaucoma and other blinding conditions.

Undoubtedly, our most ambitious research initiative is finding a way to transplant an eye and restore vision through the optic nerve. This is our “moon shot” project, which would lead to new therapies for potentially blinding diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, a successful whole eye transplant could potentially be a breakthrough discovery that offers hope for patients with spinal cord injuries and other nerve-damaging conditions.

In moving toward this long-term goal, our researchers can draw on the extensive medical, surgical, and bioengineering resources of our university. This collaborative approach is already advancing our understanding of the steps involved in a whole eye transplant and holds the promise of developing groundbreaking therapies that could ultimately restore vision for millions of patients.

As we move to a bold new future in vision care, I want to thank our many philanthropic donors for supporting our research, clinical care, and medical education programs. Your gifts for our institute, including research grants, endowed chairs, and training scholarships, help Bascom Palmer continue to be a global leader in virtually all aspects of ophthalmic medicine.

Sincerely,

Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute