'Father of modern corneal science’ Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD, passes away at 101

(Image courtesy of Mass Eye and Ear)

Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD, professor of Ophthalmology, Emeritus, and former chief and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School (HMS) passed away on July 14, 2024. He was 101.

According to a Mass General Brigham Mass Eye and Ear news release, Dohlman is considered by many to be the father of modern corneal science, whose pioneering work modernized the field and continues to be widely utilized today.¹

“Dr. Dohlman’s pioneering research has forever changed the way conditions of the cornea are understood and treated,” Joan W. Miller, MD, chairperson of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School,said in a statement. “His work has benefited millions of people around the world, and his legacy of knowledge thrives today in the hundreds of fellows, students, and colleagues he has trained and mentored over the years. Harvard Medical School—and indeed, the whole world—is a far better place today because of his remarkable talent, contributions, and character. He will continue to inspire all of us to greater accomplishment.”

The ‘Father of Modern Corneal Science’

Dohlman has spearheaded investigations of corneal physiology that have laid the groundwork for clinical practice in dry eye disease, corneal burns, wound healing, corneal transplantation and keratoprosthesis. As a result, his work has helped improve vision and the lives of millions of people around the world. He has been recognized globally as the founding father of modern corneal science, He was instrumental in driving research investigations to help better understand the structure and function of the cornea. His work paved the way for the modern treatments and methods used today for dry eye disease, corneal burns, wound healing, corneal transplantation and keratoprosthesis (an artificial cornea).

Born in Uppsala, Sweden, on September 11, 1922, Dohlman earned his Medical Degree and a Doctor of Medical Research from the University of Lund in Sweden and completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the Eye Clinic of the University of Lund.¹

According to the news release, Dohlman was recruited in 1958 to work at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear (then known as The Retina Foundation Institute of Boston) by his former mentor and celebrated retina surgeon, Charles Schepens, MD.

Six years later, in 1964, at the request of then chief of ophthalmology Edwin Dunphy, MD, Dohlman established the Cornea Service at Mass Eye and Ear—the first cornea subspecialty clinic in the world.

That was just the start of the many firsts in Dohlman’s career. He was also the first person to create a formal cornea fellowship program (also at Mass Eye and Ear), the first to recruit full-time cornea fellows to Harvard Medical School, and the first to pioneer several new surgical advances in corneal transplants (keratoplasty) and artificial corneas (keratoprosthesis).

One of his most well-known innovations is the Boston Keratoprosthesis, pioneered by Dohlman in the 1960s. The procedure, commonly known as the “Boston KPro,” involves implanting an artificial cornea to replace one that is diseased or damaged. The Boston KPro remains the most successful artificial cornea in the world with 19,000 implantations to date.¹

In addition to his work in corneal research and clinical care, Dohlman also had an impact on Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Ophthalmology through leadership and teaching.

In 1974, Dohlman was named chief of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, and director of the Howe Laboratory of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, roles he would hold until 1989, when he stepped back to focus more on his research and teaching.¹

During his 64 years at Mass Eye and Ear, Dohlman trained more than 200 cornea specialists—more than any other ophthalmologist in the world. He continued to work with and mentor trainees and junior faculty into his nineties, and his dedication to teaching is reflected in the three Resident Teacher of the Year awards he has received from Harvard Ophthalmology residents.¹

“I had the privilege of training under Dr. Dohlman as a resident and working alongside him as a colleague for more than 30 years,” Miller said in the news release. “When I became Chair of the department in 2003, Dr. Dohlman continued to be a generous, kind advisor and supporter of mine, for which I am eternally grateful.”

Dohlman tallied a number of awards and honors for his efforts in corneal research and clinical care, including:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology Laureate Award
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Friedenwald Award
• Swedish Medical Society Gullstrand Medal
• Cornea Society Castroviejo Medal
• New England Ophthalmological Society Award
• Massachusetts Eye and Ear Distinguished Service Award
• Swedish Ophthalmological Society Honorary Award
• Named Harvard Medical School Professorship (Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology)
• Order of Vasa, Sweden
• Honorary degrees from the Université de Montréal and Harvard University

Most recently, Dohlman was the recipient of the 2022 António Champalimaud Vision Award, presented by the Portugal-based Champalimaud Foundation, is the highest distinction bestowed in ophthalmology and vision science, and is considered the “Nobel Prize of Vision.”²

Dohlman and fellow 2022 Champalimaud winner, Gerrit R. J. Melles, MD, PhD, founder of the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery and the Melles Cornea Clinic in Rotterdam, received a prize of $1 million to further their research efforts.

“This award was a truly fitting recognition of Dr. Dohlman’s many professional contributions over a lifetime of work,” Miller added.

Dohlman is survived by 6 children, Lena, Jan, Ebba, Henrik, Peter, and Erik; and 12 grandchildren, including Harvard Ophthalmology faculty members Thomas Dohlman, MD, and Jenny Dohlman, MD.

Reference:

1. Jaslow R. In Memory of Claes H. Dohlman, MD, PhD, 101, a Cornea Research Pioneer and Visionary. FOCUS. Published July 15, 2024. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://focus.masseyeandear.org/in-memory-of-claes-h-dohlman-md-phd-101-a-cornea-research-pioneer-and-visionary/

2. Cornea research pioneer honored with Champalimaud Vision Award. Ophthalmology Times. Published September 16, 2022. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/cornea-research-pioneer-honored-with-champalimaud-vision-award