Here’s to the changemakers, the risk-takers and the visionaries. Happy International Women’s Day!
This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a well-deserved spotlight on ten incredible women who are pushing boundaries in ophthalmology.
From pioneering research to game-changing leadership, they’re not just advancing science—they’re shaping the future of eye care. So, let’s celebrate these trailblazers who are proving that vision isn’t just about sight—it’s about foresight, innovation and breaking barriers.
1. A Hall of Fame Retina Rockstar
Dr. Judy Kim (USA) isn’t just making history—she’s rewriting it. The first Korean American to be elected to the American Ophthalmological Society, she also became the first to hold membership in all three major US retina societies (ASRS, Macula Society and Retina Society).
She smashed yet another glass ceiling as only the second woman to serve on the ASRS executive committee. Her mentorship as chair of Women in Retina is just as impressive, earning her the prestigious Suzanne Veronneau-Troutman Award from Women in Ophthalmology and a spot in the inaugural Retina Hall of Fame.
2. Leading with Vision
As President of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), Prof. Filomena Ribeiro is on a mission to make ophthalmology more sustainable and inclusive. She founded BoSS (Building Our Sustainable Society) to drive diversity, accessibility and environmental responsibility in eye care. Under her leadership, the field isn’t just advancing—it’s evolving for the better.
3. The AI Visionary
When it comes to revolutionizing retinal disease management, Prof. Anat Loewenstein (Israel) is leading the charge. Her work in developing AI-driven diagnostic tools for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is changing how we detect and treat vision-threatening conditions. A powerhouse in research, mentorship and clinical trials, she’s not just shaping the future—she’s coding it.1,2
4. Fighting for Children’s Sight
Prof. Clare Gilbert (United Kingdom) has dedicated her career to preventing childhood blindness, especially in underserved communities.
She developed WHO’s classification system for childhood blindness and linked its prevalence to under-5 mortality rates, helping governments plan interventions for conditions like retinopathy of prematurity and vitamin A deficiency. Her work has expanded training programs, improved early detection and influenced policies through collaborations with major organizations such as WHO, IAPB and ORBIS.3
5. The Industry Gamechanger
Tracy Valorie (USA) is a force in ophthalmic innovation. Having held leadership roles at the likes of Bausch + Lomb and Pfizer, she’s had a direct hand in shaping the commercialization of breakthrough treatments, including anti-glaucoma medications Xalatan and Xalacom. Her influence extends beyond the corporate world—she’s also a dedicated advocate, serving on the boards of Ophthalmic World Leaders, The Glaucoma Research Foundation, and the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research.
6. The Myopia Maverick
With myopia cases soaring globally, Prof. Seang-Mei Saw’s (Singapore) research is more critical than ever.4,5
She has been a driving force in pioneering a precision medicine approach that tailors interventions based on genetics, environment and ocular factors, and she developed FitSight, a wearable tracking device that encourages children to spend time outdoors. Her work is giving clinicians new tools to fight high myopia and its sight-threatening complications.
7. The Research Queen
Dr. Cathleen McCabe (USA) isn’t just keeping up with the future of ophthalmology—she’s setting the pace. A powerhouse in cataract and refractive surgery, she’s diving into clinical trials that test the boundaries of a variety of innovations: intraocular lenses (AcrySof IQ PanOptix Trifocal IOL), glaucoma devices (Hydrus Microstent), perioperative pharmaceuticals (Dexycu) and more.
8. The Biotech Boss
With three decades in biotech and pharmaceuticals, Nancy Lurker (USA) has been instrumental in bringing next-generation therapies to patients. As vice chair of the board of directors at EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, she continues to push the boundaries of ophthalmic drug delivery—especially in the realm of sustained-release treatments for retinal diseases.
9. The Cornea Crusader
Prof. Dr. Christina Grupcheva (Bulgaria) is redefining what we know about the cornea. Her research in microstructural corneal analysis and confocal microscopy has transformed our understanding of keratoconus, refractive surgery and dry eye disease…and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With over 150 scientific papers, 14 ophthalmology books, an impressive Hi index of 40, and more than 3,000 citations in the last 15 years, Prof. Grupcheva is advancing cornea research and deepening our understanding of the anterior segment. 6
10. The Tech Trailblazer
Dr. Ranya Habash (USA) is proof that ophthalmology and Silicon Valley go hand in hand. As a member of the FDA’s Digital Health Network of Experts, she’s spearheading advancements in AI and telemedicine. Beyond the clinic, she co-founded HipaaChat (now called HipaaBridge), a secure messaging and telemedicine platform, and collaborates with tech giants like Apple and Verizon to modernize healthcare communications.
So this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate these extraordinary women redefining what’s possible in eye care. From the operating room to the boardroom, their innovations, advocacy and mentorship are shaping a future where eye care is smarter, more inclusive and more impactful than ever.
References
- Dow ER, Keenan TDL, Loewenstein A, et al. From data to deployment: The collaborative community on ophthalmic imaging roadmap for artificial intelligence in age-related macular degeneration. Ophthalmol. 2022;129(5):e43-e59.
- Tang F, Luenam P, Loewenstein A, et al. Detection of diabetic retinopathy from ultra-widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscope images: A multicenter deep learning analysis. Ophthalmol Ret. 2021;5(11):1097-1106.
- Gilbert C, Muhit M. Twenty years of childhood blindness: What have we learnt? Comm Eye Health. 2008;21(67):46-47.
- Saw SM, Zhang B, Tan DTH, et al. Age of onset of high myopia and associated factors in Singapore children in the SCORM cohort. IOVS. 2018;59(9):3389.
- Dirani M, Chan YH, Saw SM, et al. Prevalence of refractive error in Singaporean Chinese children: The strabismus, amblyopia, and refractive error in young Singaporean children (STARS) study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51(3):1348-1355.
- Grupcheva CN, Malik TY, Craig JP, et al. Microstructural assessment of rare corneal dystrophies using real-time in vivo confocal microscopy. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2001;29(5):281-285.
