Mourning the Loss of Glaucoma Research Pioneer David L. Epstein, MD

Statement of BrightFocus Foundation President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller

CLARKSBURG, MD—BrightFocus Foundation today joins others in the field of vision research in paying tribute to a giant in the profession—renowned glaucoma expert David L. Epstein, M.D., M.M.M., of the Duke Eye Center at Duke University, who passed away this week.

Dr. Epstein had a long professional relationship with our National Glaucoma Research (NGR) program. He was a wonderful researcher, clinician, statesman, and pioneer in the field of glaucoma care. We are grateful for his many contributions to our organization.

During the 1980s, Dr. Epstein received four of our NGR grants for his innovative work. He helped develop novel drugs for treatment of the disease, and enhanced the medical understanding of the causes of glaucoma.

From 1987 to 1998, he served as the Chair of our NGR Scientific Review Committee, which makes recommendations for BrightFocus funding of promising glaucoma research proposals. During that time, he became friend, mentor, and esteemed colleague of scores of early-career researchers. As Duke University has noted, Dr. Epstein had a special interest in fostering physician–scientists’ careers in ophthalmology. His influence on the field is incalculable.

All of us at BrightFocus Foundation extend our deepest sympathy to Dr. Epstein’s family and to his colleagues at Duke University and around the world.

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. For more information, call 1-800-437-2423.