Alon Harris, a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has been awarded the Robert Ritch Award for Innovation and Excellence in Glaucoma by The Glaucoma Foundation. The award was presented on June 20 during the 29th Annual Glaucoma Foundation Scientific Think Tank held in New York City.
The award is named after the founder of The Glaucoma Foundation and acknowledges individuals who have significantly contributed to glaucoma science. Dr. Harris expressed his gratitude by saying, “I am incredibly humbled and honored to be presented with this prestigious award named after Dr. Ritch, especially considering the giants in the field who have received this recognition ahead of me.” He serves as Co-Director of the Barry Family Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence and Human Health and Vice Chair of International Research and Academic Affairs at Mount Sinai’s Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Harris’s research has focused on understanding how cardiovascular health affects eye diseases like glaucoma. He stated, “My research helped define the interaction between the cardiovascular system and eye disease, specifically as it relates to onset and progression of glaucoma.” His work has led to a broader acceptance of how blood flow and metabolism are involved in glaucoma.
An internationally recognized clinical research scientist, Dr. Harris specializes in assessing risk factors for glaucoma, monitoring its progression, ocular perfusion assessment, mathematical modeling using artificial intelligence, medication development, novel imaging methods, and conducting population-based studies. His contributions extend to understanding vascular deficits related to diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, and brain physiology.
He is now one of three clinical scientists from Mount Sinai to receive this honor. Louis R. Pasquale received it in 2023 while Robert Ritch was the first recipient when it was established in his name.
James C. Tsai congratulated Dr. Harris stating: “Mount Sinai’s Department of Ophthalmology extends our hearty congratulations to Professor Alon Harris on receiving this most distinguished award from The Glaucoma Foundation.”
