John Berdahl

Berdahl has been chosen to take part in the Vision for Mars team, which is working closely with NASA and NSBRI to help solve vision problems during long-term space travel. He has received several awards, including the Claes Dohlman award from Harvard and the 2013 top physician’s award for South Dakota. He also has a leadership role in EyeCare America (which provides free eye care to the underserved). Specializing in advanced cataract, corneal and glaucoma surgery, as well as refractive surgery, his research efforts are currently focused on intracranial pressure in glaucoma and fixing astigmatism after cataract surgery. Speaking of his objectives for the next 10 years: “My goal is to leave our beloved profession a little better than it is now. My hope is to cure glaucoma.” And his advice to budding ophthalmologists? “Always do the right thing and use your naïveté to your advantage, since you are not yet encumbered by dogma.”

A nominator said: “John has been a leader in the development of the microinvasive glaucoma space. A pioneer of the iStent, helping to achieve great results and target the appropriate patients. This has helped lead change in glaucoma care and usher in a whole new category of treatment. John is also a class act, skilled teacher and unique personality. His patients are lucky to have him.”

Part of the Power List 2015

In 2014, we compiled a list of the Top 100 most influential people in ophthalmology – an endeavor that received a significant amount of attention and, it’s fair to say, caused more than a little controversy. For our 2015 Top 40 Under 40 list we’ve taken a different approach, asking: who are the young, up-and-coming individuals set to rise to the top of their field? That’s the question we posed to ourselves – and then to you – ahead of open nominations and a painstaking judging process. Our list this year almost halves the average age of the celebrated individuals, with many of them born in the same year as the iconic Sex Pistols cover – 1977. Though we admit that no list of this type can be definitive, it does clearly show that the future of ophthalmology is very bright indeed. And so, without further ado, we celebrate the movers and shakers aged 40 or under who show what can be achieved with determination, passion and inspiration.

Go to The Power List 2015