Apple speaks during 2002 ASCRS Innovator's lecture
Storm Eye Institute's David J. Apple, M.D., offered a historical retrospective on the field of ophthalmology while warning of diminished funding for research and development for biodevices during a 2002 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery symposium. Apple spoke at the Innovator's Lecture April 11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. He was selected as the 2001 ASCRS Innovator of the Year.
Dr.
David J. Apple
In his presentation entitled, “The Future of Ophthalmic Biodevices: The Scene is Shifting,” he discussed the effect of basic and applied research, including ocular pathology, the development of modern biodevices used for cataract/intraocular lens and refractive surgery.
Apple, who is director of SEI's Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, began with a retrospective on the ophthalmology field's advances following the end of World War II that led to 50 years of what he called the “golden age of ophthalmology and the visual sciences.”
He also discussed the incidence of vision-threatening post-cataract intraocular lens complications that are fast becoming common worldwide. He warned the audience about today's shrinking support for research and development of biodevices and the changing attitudes and priorities of administrators, basic scientists, pathologists, and ophthalmologists-in-training.
Apple also spoke about new research projects and developments. He and his colleagues in ocular pathology are collaborating to provide modern cataract and refractive biodevices and techniques.
“Each year, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery honors an individual whose innovative ideas have benefitted ophthalmologists and their patients,” said Dave Karcher, ASCRS executive director. “David J. Apple's extensive research and innovations in ophthalmic pathology and teaching have earned him this award.”
Apple has presented more than 938 scientific lectures, and 128 scientific posters, exhibits, and videos. He has also contributed extensively to ophthalmic literature, having authored 481 scientific publications, including 15 textbooks, 67 chapters in textbooks, and more than 349 journal articles in the refereed scientific literature.
Apple has pioneered in the combined field of ophthalmology and pathology
by studying the biocompatibility of implant materials. Patients and medical
science have benefitted greatly because of his studies on intraocular lens
material, design, and finish and their relationship to complications. This
research was done primarily at the Center for Intraocular Lens Research,
which has received international acclaim for its studies related to cataract
surgery. He co-founded the center in 1982 in Salt Lake City with Randall
J. Olson, M.D., and transferred it to Charleston in 1988.