NYU Langone Health Ophthalmology Faculty Receive Prestigious Awards and Present Groundbreaking Research

Strategic Insights -

At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in Orlando, NYU Langone Health's ophthalmology faculty presented their latest research and received prestigious awards. Elizabeth J. Cohen, MD, Professor and chair of the department at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, was awarded the Castroviejo Medal from the Cornea Society, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to the field of ophthalmology, particularly in the promotion, research, and understanding of the cornea. Dr. Colby also delivered the annual Castroviejo Lecture, focusing on transformative approaches to treating Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Elizabeth J. Cohen, MD, Professor and chair of the department at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, received the prestigious Castroviejo Medal from the Cornea Society for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of ophthalmology.
  • Dr. Colby delivered the annual Castroviejo Lecture, focusing on transformative approaches to treating Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, an area of study she has spent her career advancing.
  • The lecture explored the potential of a surgical procedure, Descemet stripping only (DSO), paired with the targeted therapy Rho kinase inhibitors to stimulate endogenous corneal endothelial cell regeneration.
  • Dr. Colby has pioneered DSO as a treatment to allow a patient's own cells to rejuvenate their cornea, rather than relying on a donor cornea.
  • The Cornea Society honored Dr. Colby for her dedication to improving the practice of ophthalmology and enhancing the status of women in the field.
  • Dr. Colby has held leadership positions in several national and international societies, including being a past president of the Cornea Society.
  • She has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed studies and 7 books on the topic of ophthalmology.
  • Dr. Massaro-Giordano, instruction course director of the dry eye service for NYU Langone's Department of Ophthalmology, instructed on how intense pulse light, or IPL, can be used to treat dry eye, showcasing its effectiveness in enhancing Meibomian gland function and alleviating symptoms of dry eye.
  • Dr. Massaro-Giordano's study of the practice demonstrated significant advancements in the treatment of dry eye disease, promoting a noninvasive therapy that improves patient outcomes.
  • Dr. Dedania, surgical team member, presented data on the world's first face and eye transplant surgery at NYU Langone Health, achieving eye globe viability with a novel superficial temporal artery to ophthalmic artery vascular connection and direct optic nerve reconnection.
  • While sight restoration remains elusive due to limited optic nerve regeneration, the technique effectively allowed the globe of the eye to remain perfused until the external carotid artery was ligated as the last step of the donor procurement.

Statistics:

  • NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality.
  • Vizient Inc. has ranked NYU Langone No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers across the nation for four years in a row.
  • U.S. News & World Report recently ranked four of NYU Langone's clinical specialties No. 1 in the nation.
  • NYU Langone has $15.5 billion in revenue this year.
  • The system includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise.

Sources:

  • NYU Langone Health - Official Press Release dated October 17, 2025