On this episode, I had the honour of hosting Dr. Claes Dohlman for a discussion on his legacy in cornea innovation, and how the future generations of ophthalmologists can integrate similar focuses on innovation in their own careers. 

Dr. Claes H. Dohlman is considered the father of modern corneal science, and his seminal work has led to the development of the cornea subspecialty..  His research is recognized worldwide and laid the foundations of corneal physiology.  He first graduated in medicine from the University of Lund (1957). In 1958, he left to work at the Boston Retina Institute. In 1964, he was given the mission of setting up a care and research service relating to the cornea at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI).

Combining positions at Harvard Medical School, he was also appointed head of the department of ophthalmology of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.  A talented clinician researcher in the field of corneal pathology, Dr. Dohlman is also the inventor of the Boston Keratoprosthesis, the most successful artificial cornea in the world. Dr. Dohlman has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, and Harvard Medical School has established a research chair in his name.

In 2019, the Universite de Montreal awarded him an honorary doctorate for his decades of commitment and dedication to the field of corneal science.  In 2022, he shared the Champalimaud Vision Award for his incredible career in the development of the artificial cornea. Considered the “Nobel Prize of Vision,” the Champalimaud Vision Award, presented by the Portugal-based Champalimaud Foundation, is the highest distinction bestowed in ophthalmology and vision science, carrying one of the largest prizes in scientific research. 

His work with the Boston KPro has led to the publication of over 500 research papers in the field. Most importantly however, the Boston KPro has been implanted in over 16,000 patients globally. He is truly a legend in the field of ophthalmology, and it is an honour to have the chance to speak with him today.

Today, we speak with Dr. Sanjay Sharma of MEDSKL and Queen's University on the value of innovating in medical education.

Dr. Sharma, is the founder of MEDSKL, a free open access medical education initiative, which provides students and physicians with modules on the fundamentals of clinical medicine. MEDSKL is used by learners worldwide and has modules made by over 200 medical professors globally. All modules are peer-reviewed for quality, and cover all medical topics from cardiology to vascular surgery. He is also the founder of Optocase, which upskills 22,000 plus eye doctors.

He is a professor of ophthalmology and epidemiology at Queen’s University, has authored over 200 research articles and three books including the American Medical Association’s Evidence-based to Value Based Medicine. His research in macular degeneration, health economics and medical education has been cited in the scientific literature over 6,000 times. Dr. Sharma, who has received a number of grants and prestigious awards – including those from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation – completed his medical education at Harvard University.

In this episode, we discuss tele-medicine in ophthalmology (tele-ophthalmology) with Dr. Delan Jinapriya, a glaucoma specialist and the founder of Euclid Telehealth. 

Dr. Delan Jinapriya is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University, in the Department of Ophthalmology specializing in Comprehensive Glaucoma. He is the Medical Director of the Galen Eye Centre, which is a multi doctor facility specializing in glaucoma. He feels that educating physicians is a powerful means by which to improve health care for Canadians. He is the Co-Director of the Queen's Glaucoma Fellowship Program, is a clinical and surgical mentor in the Queen's Ophthalmology Residency Program. 

He is also an advocate for tele-ophthalmology and the founder of Euclid Telehealth, a company that is developing tele-ophthalmology solutions, to make expert eye care accessible to all Canadians.