Transcript Robert Machemer: A Pioneer in Vision

ROBERT MACHEMER:
A PIONEER IN VISION
Duke Eye Center
Stephen J. Ryan
April 30, 2010
Durham, NC
Robert Machemer
 Visionary
 Creative
 Father of vitrectomy
 Courage – first cases
 Engineering and Medicine
 Bascom Palmer and Duke
 Teacher, colleague, and friend
Creativity vs. Problem Solving
Novel
Simple
Elegant
Effective
Generative
Robert Machemer
 Opened the Vitreous
Space
 Vitreo Retinal Surgeons
 Endo Surgery
 Intraocular and Other
 Pathogenesis of R.D.
Vitreous Surgery
 Opened whole new field
 Educated many trainees  Future Leaders
 Generous with his time and encouragement
 Stimulated ideas
 Encouraged Critical Thinking
Research Influenced by Robert Machemer
 Vitreous Surgery – Clinical and Research
 Pathogenesis of Retinal detachment
 Rhegmatogenous
 Traction
 Translational research  patients
 Many other areas
Clinical
Research
Clinical
Observations
Animal
Research
Laboratory
Research
Clinical
Practice
Penetrating Ocular Injuries
 Trauma model
 Penetrating injuries – more
detachments than blunt
injuries
 Penetrating injuries alone
 no R.D.
 Blood alone  no R.D.
 Injury + Blood  R.D.
 TRACTION RETINAL DETACHMENT
 WOUND HEALING
Clinical Management
 Rhegmatogenous R.D.
 After penetrating injury, two rows of 360 extensive
cryotherapy to prevent RRD
 Huge additional inflammatory stimulus
 After Vitrectomy – different Rx
 Vitrectomy  Remove stimulus to inflammation and
wound repair
Final Common Pathway
Trauma
PVR
PDR
PATIENT
CLINICIAN
IDEA
BASIC RESEARCH
TRANSLATIONAL
RESEARCH
COMMERCIALIZATION
CLINICAL
RESEARCH
Robert Machemer
 Visionary
 Creative
 Father of vitrectomy
 Bascom Palmer and Duke
 Teacher, colleague, and friend
PIONEER