Glaucoma
Harvard Medical School
UCSF
UCSF
Glaucoma Surgery, Optic neuropathy and aging of the eye, Cell and molecular biology of uveoscleral outflow, Imaging of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer, Mechanisms of optic nerve damage in glaucoma, Neuroprotection in glaucoma, Measurement of intraocular pressure, Drug delivery to eye, Cataract Surgery
2023 Top 2 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World, The Ophthalmologist (UK)
2023 An Inaugural Inductee in The Ophthalmologist Hall of Fame
Robert N. Weinreb, M.D. is the Chair and Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Diego as well as Director of the Shiley Eye Institute and the Director of the Hamilton Glaucoma Center. He also holds the Morris Gleich MD Chair of Glaucoma and also is appointed as Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering. Dr. Weinreb graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.
Dr. Weinreb is a clinician, a surgeon and a scientist. He oversees all clinical activities at the Shiley Eye Institute and within the Department of Ophthalmology. As the Director of the Hamilton Glaucoma Center, Dr. Weinreb also oversees a world-renowned team of scientists and staff dedicated to glaucoma. Patients from throughout the world seek his medical and surgical expertise.
Dr. Weinreb’s clinical and research interests are diverse and range from the front of the eye to the back of the eye. They include glaucoma surgery, optic neuropathy and aging of the eye, imaging of the optic disc and retinal nerve fiber layer, mechanisms of optic nerve damage in glaucoma, neuroprotection of glaucoma, and cataract surgery.
Dr. Weinreb is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including (as examples):
1997 Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Award – leadership and contributions in ophthalmology
2003 Research to Prevent Blindness Physician-Scientist Award
2006 Ridley Medal of St. Thomas’ Hospital, London
2009 Founder’s Award of the World Glaucoma Association
2009 The Moecyr E. Alvaro Medal of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Brazil
2010 Life Achievement Honor Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
2010 The Watson Medal of the University of Cambridge, England
2013 The Innovators Award of the American Glaucoma Society
2016 APGS International Award of the Asian Pacific Glaucoma Society
2016 Gold Medal of the Chinese Academy of Ophthalmology
2017 Honorary Member of the Société Française D’Ophtalmologie
2017 Life Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
2019 UC San Diego Health Sciences Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award
2023 Laureate Award, World Glaucoma Association
He also is cited often for his contributions and leadership, including:
2022 10 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World, The Ophthalmologist (UK)
2022 “Glaucoma Visionary”, Glaucoma Today
2022 America’s Best Ophthalmologists, Newsweek
2023 Top 2 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World, The Ophthalmologist (UK)
2023 An Inaugural Inductee in The Ophthalmologist Hall of Fame
And he has served several organizations in leadership positions, including:
2003-2003 President, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
2004-2006 President, World Glaucoma Association
2007-2009 President, American Glaucoma Society
2012-2014 President, American Glaucoma Society Foundation
2013-2015 President, Latin American Glaucoma Society
Dr. Weinreb has delivered more than 140 named lectures and serves on numerous Editorial Boards, including Journal of Glaucoma, International Glaucoma Review (Chief Editor) and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. He has trained more than 170 post-doctoral Fellows in Glaucoma, including 24 department Chairs and many others who hold distinguished academic positions in the United States and throughout the world.
His h-impact factor in July 2023 was 145, the highest in world Glaucoma, and his research has more than 83.000 citations. He also has been cited for several consecutive years by Expertscape as the #1 expert in world glaucoma.
Dr. Weinreb has been cited in every edition of Woodward/White, The Best Doctors in America and is an elected member of the prestigious American Ophthalmological Society.
As a senior, I was nervous and apprehensive before my appointment at Shiley. I had cancelled all my other doctor appointments. Even before I got into the front door my fears were alleviated! Before I walked into the building, my temperature was taken, and registration checked me in outside, I sanitized my hands and was given a mask. In the waiting room, the chairs are socially distanced at 6 feet apart.
May 2020
Dr. Weinreb saved my husband’s eyesight. The majority of the frustrations in these comments around wait times and bedside manner honestly feel quite irrelevant when you are talking about the ridiculous technology, experience and amazing advancements at Shiley Eye with Weinreb leading the charge. I can only imagine the time and sacrifice that has gone into making Shiley what it is today.
We travel from far northern California in order to see Weinreb and after my husband’s most recent surgery he was experiencing post op pain. He worked us into the clinic and saw him 6 times in one day until we could get the cause of his pain under control.
So next time you are having to wait, maybe remember that there are patients who he is fighting to make space for when they are in crisis.
Bring a book.
Lastly, we ave experienced nothing but kindness and attentivneess by Dr. Weinreb and his staff.
Again, he literally saved his sight with our local doctor gave us no hope. I don't care if we have to wait a bit or if he is only in the room a couple of minutes. We are forever profoundly grateful for him and his team.
Oct 2020
Dear Dr. Weinreb,
On Monday, January 4, 2021, I underwent cataract surgery at the Shiley Eye Institute. You performed the surgery assisted by your fine staff. The surgery was highly successful. I want to thank you and all the wonderful members of your staff that participated in the surgical event and all those at Shiley who made my visit a pleasant and successful experience. The professionalism and dedication of everyone I encountered at Shiley was evident from the onset. Every detail was meticulously addressed and there was significant emphasis on ensuring patient care as it related to protection from the coronavirus. As a senior citizen, I very much appreciated their concern for my health.
So again Dr. Weinreb, thank you for the wonderful care you have provided. Please know that it is very much appreciated. And please pass my sincere thank you to the wonderful professional staff at the Shiley Eye Institute. I feel very fortunate to have access to the entire UCSD Health Care system and most especially to the Shiley Eye Institute.
Jan 2021
Thank you Dr. Weinreb for saving my mother’s vision and giving our family many more enjoyable years with her. I could see that you liked her – and she appreciated the care you and Dr. Afshari gave her over the many years.
Feb 2021
There is much to learn during one short year of glaucoma fellowship: clinical management and data interpretation, surgical techniques (traditional glaucoma surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and complex cataract surgery), and patient education/communication skills. When I was applying to glaucoma fellowship programs, the Shiley Eye Institute at UCSD was at the top of my list.
Under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Weinreb, a world expert in glaucoma treatment and research, as well as the rest of the glaucoma faculty, I was able to gain a strong foundation in clinical and surgical management of glaucoma. There are few programs in the country that offer training in not only traditional glaucoma surgery (particularly the art of the trabeculectomy) but also minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (angle surgery and subconjunctival filtration surgery) as well as cataract surgery.
I am so grateful for the mentorship and training that I received at UCSD, and I look forward to seeing future generations of glaucoma fellows carry on the legacy of excellence. After fellowship, I will be joining a physician-owned private practice in Portland, Oregon. There is a large population of patients with glaucoma in the area and few fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists.
My fellowship training at UCSD has prepared me to provide efficient and high-quality patient-centered care in the areas of cataract, glaucoma, and comprehensive ophthalmology. I have experience with complex cataract surgery, premium intraocular lenses, and nearly all types of glaucoma surgery. I also feel prepared to learn and adopt new techniques as the landscape of glaucoma surgery evolves in the coming years.
After 10 years of medical education, I am excited for the opportunity to establish myself as a cataract and glaucoma specialist within my new community. In my free time, I hope to explore the endless hiking trails in Oregon and spend more time connecting with nature.
