2022 R. Townley Paton Award Lecture: The Science of Sight: Addressing Corneal Blindness in the Developing World

R. Townley Paton Award Lecture: The Science of Sight: Addressing Corneal Blindness in the Developing World

Anthony Aldave, MD, Stein Eye Institute, UCLA

2022 R. Townley Paton Award Recipient

Corneal opacification is one of the most common causes of moderate to severe vision loss and blindness worldwide. The significant shortage of donor corneal tissue globally has led to an emphasis on the development of prevention programs, efforts to increase the supply of donor corneal tissue and the number of trained corneal surgeons, as well as developing alternatives to human corneal tissue for the restoration of vision. The efficacy of each of these initiatives will be critically reviewed, and evidence-based recommendations made in regard to what domestic corneal surgeons and eye banks can do to address corneal blindness in the developing world.

The R. Townley Paton Award is presented annually to a physician who has made significant contributions to eye banking, sight restoration, and the EBAA. The 2022 R. Townley Paton Award Recipient is Anthony Aldave, MD. Dr. Aldave was presented with the award during the 2022 Cornea and Eye Banking Forum, and then delivered the R. Townley Paton Award Lecture.

Anthony Aldave, MD

2022 R. Townley Award Recipient

Stein Eye Institute, UCLA

Anthony Aldave, MD, is the 2022 R. Townley Paton Award Recipient.

Dr. Aldave is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Chief of the Cornea and Uveitis Division at the Stein Eye Institute. As a member of the EBAA Medical Advisory Board, Dr. Aldave and colleagues reported an increase in donor-transmitted fungal infections following corneal transplantation in 2013. He has maintained an interest in this topic since, recently publishing an invited editorial on the role of antifungal prophylaxis after receipt of a positive donor rim fungal culture and completing a study investigating the incidence, treatments and outcomes of donor-transmitted fungal infection following DMEK. Dr. Aldave has been active member of the EBAA Paton Society and has served on the Medical Advisory Board and the Policy & Position Review Subcommittee.

The R. Townley Paton Award is presented annually to a physician who has made significant contributions to eye banking, sight restoration, and the EBAA. Dr. Aldave was presented with the award during the 2022 Cornea and Eye Banking Forum, and then delivered the R. Townley Paton Award Lecture. The award was introduced by the 2021 R. Townley Award recipient, Jennifer Li.