Recognized as a world expert on Age-Related Macular Degeneration
San Francisco – The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced that it will present its highest honor – the 2008 Laureate Recognition Award – to Alan C. Bird, MD, for his distinguished career and contributions to ophthalmology. Dr. Bird is to receive the award on November 9 at this year’s Joint Meeting with the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) in Atlanta.
"Dr. Bird is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in ophthalmic research, teaching and clinical medicine," said David Parke, MD, president of the Academy. "In recognition of his contributions to the profession of ophthalmology, we acknowledge the debt we all owe to him for his commitment, which has enabled many of his students to leave their mark on the field."
Dr. Bird is one of the world's experts on the treatment of retinal vascular disease and genetic and degenerative retinal disorders. He has published numerous papers, and his research has contributed to important breakthroughs in the understanding of retinal disease such as retinal dystrophies and age-related macular disease.
A native of UK, Dr. Bird earned his medical degree from Guy’s Hospital Medical School in 1961. Dr. Bird came to the Unites States in 1968 under a fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Upon his return to London in 1969, he was appointed to the Institute of Ophthalmology as Lecturer, and subsequently Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor, and Consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital, where he established a specialized clinical service for retinal disease. At Moorfields, Dr. Bird formed a multidisciplinary research team to investigate age-related macular disease and monogenic retinal disorders. The research programs were aided by the successful growth of the Institute of Ophthalmology of the University of London.
In addition to his work in London, Dr. Bird spent time in Africa undertaking research into river blindness. His work there led to the finding that retinal and optic nerve disease was the main cause of blindness from the disease rather than corneal scarring, leading to a new standard of treatment. He has also worked in Jamaica studying sickle cell retinopathy.
Although Dr. Bird is retired from full-time clinical practice, he continues his research and teaching as the Emeritus Professor at London University and Honorary Consultant, Moorfields Eye Hospital.
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About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
AAO is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s — with more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.
