Robert Weinreb

About Robert Weinreb

Robert Weinreb

Distinguished Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology; Distinguished Professor, Bioengineering; Director, Shiley Eye Institute and Hamilton Glaucoma Center; Morris Gleich, MD Chair of Glaucoma, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

As a clinician, surgeon and scientist, Robert Weinreb maintains diverse medical and research interests. He oversees all clinical activities at the Shiley Eye Institute and within the Department of Ophthalmology. As the Director of the Hamilton Glaucoma Center, a state-of-the-art laboratory and clinical research facility, Weinreb oversees a team of scientists and staff dedicated to glaucoma research and treatment. His principal research interests include glaucoma surgery, optic neuropathy, ocular senescence, and optic disk imaging – Weinreb is a pioneer of retinal tomography (and of many more retinal imaging modalities too). He is also a prolific educator; many of his (more than 100) postdoctoral fellows in glaucoma have gone on to hold department chairs and other distinguished academic positions in the United States and throughout the world.

What are your goals for the future? 

“Collaborating with scientists, industry and regulatory agencies to develop the first neuroprotective agent for glaucoma; continuing to mentor the future generations of leaders and physician-scientists in ophthalmology and glaucoma; building a Vision Research Center at University of California San Diego and establishing it as a home for the world’s most innovative and impactful vision scientists; and continuing to provide unparalleled care for all glaucoma patients, particularly those with the most challenging conditions and the underserved.”

What inspires you?

“Inspiration is everywhere, and I find it daily in my patients, research and mentoring. Patients inspire me by placing their trust in me to make the right decisions and always act in their best interests. As a physician-scientist, I am inspired by impactful innovation and discovery that is translated from the laboratory to the patient. Knowing that those I mentor will impact the lives of countless individuals throughout the world now and into the future is also very inspiring.”