Robert N. Weinreb, MD, Chair and Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California San Diego was the recipient of the World Glaucoma Association’s highest honor, the Laureate Award, at the World Glaucoma Congress (WGC) on June 28, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Comprised of 91 international glaucoma societies with more than 14,000 members, the World Glaucoma Association is a global organization for glaucoma science and care whose core purpose is to eliminate glaucoma- related disability worldwide.

[RNW-WGC-2023]

Only the third recipient of this prestigious award, it recognizes Weinreb’s “seminal research, meritorious service, leadership and mentorship, innovation, international contributions, public service, translation of science to practice, and lifetime achievement.” According to Neeru Gupta MD, PhD, MBA President, World Glaucoma Association, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, University of British Columbia. “With unsurpassed clinical acumen and surgical excellence, as well transformative scientific contributions, Professor Weinreb indelibly impacts glaucoma care worldwide.”

Dr. Weinreb also is the Director of the Shiley Eye Institute, Distinguished
Professor of Bioengineering, and holder of the Morris Gleich MD Chair of Glaucoma. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Weinreb is a clinician, surgeon, scientist, mentor and educator. Patients from throughout the world seek his medical and surgical expertise. His clinical and research interests are diverse and range from the front to the back of the eye, including the diagnosis, as well as the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma. “I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Weinreb.

Dr. Weinreb has served as President of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, World Glaucoma Association, American Glaucoma Society, American Glaucoma Society Foundation, and Latin American Glaucoma Society. He has trained and mentored more than 170 post-doctoral fellows including more than 24 department chairs, as well as numerous professors in the US and throughout the world.

The recipient of numerous awards and prizes, Dr. Weinreb has had continuous NIH support throughout his career, currently as Principal Investigator of two R01 grants as well as a K12 grant for clinician scientist career development. His h-factor for impact (145) is the world’s highest in glaucoma. In 2023, he was ranked #1 in the world for the eighth consecutive year by Expertscape for glaucoma scholarship. He also was named in 2023 as one of the top two most influential ophthalmologists in the world (“The Powerlist 100” by The Ophthalmologist (UK)).

For information, please contact Karen Anisko Ryan at 858-534-8017 or kanisko@health.ucsd.edu.