Congratulations to Dr. David Huang!

David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., Weeks Professor of Ophthalmic Research, Casey Eye Institute, Professor of Ophthalmology (Provisional), OHSU, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering (Provisional), OHSU, was recognized with the Champalimaud Vision Award for his central role in co-inventing Optical Coherence Tomography.

Dr. Huang was the 1st author on the 1991 Science paper describing this technique, an article which has been cited over 5,000 times. This award was presented to Dr. Huang and his co-authors on September 14, 2012 at a ceremony attended by the President of Portugal and the President of Brazil. The co-authors will share the 1.3 million dollar award.

Since its invention, Optical Coherence Tomography has become the most commonly used diagnostic technique in Ophthalmology. It is an extremely versatile technique that is employed in diagnosing and planning treatment of diseases affecting the Cornea, the Retina and Optic Nerve. Its use is essential in managing patients with the most common causes of vision loss and blindness: glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes. In his laboratory at Casey Eye Institute Dr. Huang is currently pioneering new applications of this remarkable technology. These new applications permit the noninvasive visualization of the fine vessels within the eye, and measurement of blood flow in these vessels. This will potentially permit recognition of blinding eye disease prior to the onset of permanent vision loss, and at a time when it is more amenable to treatment.

View the News Story at the Champalimaud Foundation website
View the OHSU News release
View video featuring Dr. Huang discussing Optical Coherence Tomography