OHSU physician honored for co-invention of eye-imaging technology

An ophthalmologist and researcher at Oregon Health & Science University Casey Eye Institute is being honored for co-inventing an eye imaging technology that is widely used to diagnose and guide treatment for people with the leading causes of blindness.

David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., will be awarded a Visionary Prize from the Sanford and Susan Greenberg Prize to End Blindness during a live-streamed ceremony on Dec. 14. Huang is among 13 scientists sharing $3 million in prizes for their scientific and medical contributions to ending blindness. National Geographic highlighted the award winners in a Dec. 3 story.

Huang, a professor of ophthalmology in the OHSU School of Medicine and an associate director of the OHSU Casey Eye Institute, co-invented optical coherence tomography, also known as OCT. The technology is used to diagnose macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and helps physicians decide how to best treat patients with blindness-causing disease. This technology is also increasingly used to evaluate treatments for multiple sclerosis and other diseases.

Huang has been widely recognized for his co-invention of OCT. In 2012, he was honored with an António Champalimaud Vision Award, known as the largest scientific and humanitarian prize in the field of vision research.

“I am inspired by Dr. Sanford Greenberg’s vision to end blindness and humbled to be recognized along with Prof. Jim Fujimoto and Eric Swanson for the development of optical coherence tomography, a very sensitive imaging technology widely used to detect and diagnose eye diseases,” Huang said of his most recent honor. “At the Casey Eye Institute, we are continuing to work on ending all preventable blindness by advancing diagnostic technologies, broadening community outreach, and providing cutting edge treatments.”

###

More information about this year’s Greenberg Prize winners is available at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/historic-effort-to-end-blindness-marks-major-milestone-with-leading-scientists-recognized-for-pioneering-work-at-vip-ceremony-featuring-tribute-to-ruth-bader-ginsburg-301185981.html.

Links:

• Dec. 3, 2020, Greenberg Prize, Historic effort to ‘end blindness’ marks major milestone with leading scientists recognized for pioneering work at VIP ceremony featuring tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/historic-effort-to-end-blindness-marks-major-milestone-with-leading-scientists-recognized-for-pioneering-work-at-vip-ceremony-featuring-tribute-to-ruth-bader-ginsburg-301185981.html,
• Dec. 3, 2020, National Geographic, These scientists set out to end blindness. Their innovations just won them $3 million,
  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/winners-of-greenberg-prize-to-end-blindness-announced/,
• David Huang, M.D., Ph.D.:
  https://www.ohsu.edu/people/david-huang-md-phd
• Center for Ophthalmic Optics & Lasers (COOL Lab):
  https://www.coollab.net/
• OHSU Casey Eye Institute:
  https://www.ohsu.edu/casey-eye-institute

Related OHSU news:

• Dec. 8, 2017, Billions of dollars saved with eye imaging technology co-invented by OHSU physician,
  https://news.ohsu.edu/2017/12/08/billions-of-dollars-saved-with-eye-imaging-technology-co-invented-by-ohsu-physician
• July 14, 2016, Co-invented by OHSU’s Dr. David Huang 25 years ago, OCT technology helps detect and stop blindness,
  https://news.ohsu.edu/2016/07/14/co-invented-by-ohsus-dr-david-huang-25-years-ago-oct-technology-helps-detect-and-stop-blindness
• April 20, 2015, Study shows new technology may improve management of leading causes of blindness,
  https://news.ohsu.edu/2015/04/20/study-shows-new-technology-may-improve-management-of-leading-causes-of-blindness