LEADERS & LEGENDS ORAL HISTORY SERIES

First-hand stories from leaders with unique retina insights of historical significance 

Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, FASRS

Unlike most kids, Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, FASRS, preferred his toys broken. Fascinated by his ophthalmologist father’s many gadgets and his grandfather’s workshop, Dr. de Juan discovered his passion for fixing things at an early age. He went on to complete his ophthalmology and vitreoretinal training at world-class institutions including the Johns Hopkins University’s Wilmer Eye Institute and Duke University, and later channeled his medical expertise into his passion for innovation. Today, when we talk about pivotal innovators in retina, Dr. de Juan’s name is certainly always at the top of the list. He is the inventor or co-inventor of nearly 100 products, and holds nearly 450 US patents and patents pending. Among his many discoveries is what we know as the transconjunctival approach to 25-gauge vitrectomy, a discovery that revolutionized retinal surgery. In 2005, Dr. de Juan established ForSight Labs, a serial ophthalmic company incubator that has helped develop more than a dozen companies. Listen in as he shares fascinating stories and insights from his truly remarkable career.

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(Interview published 2024)