editorial: a brilliant ophthalmologist doctor of doctors

gholam ali peyman, md was recognized for his great achievement on february 2013 when he was awarded with the honor of being named as one of the most distinguished in the list of 12 top researcher recipients of the national medal of technology and innovations in the united states. there were twelve highly accomplished inventors in the list of national medal of technology and innovation. scientists, engineers and inventors have great esteem for this medal along with other national medal of science designations. in 1980 the national medal of technology and innovation was established by the united states congress. individuals who create viable solutions to improve the quality of life as well as technological abilities of workers are usually nominated for this distinguished award. a well-known independent group consisting of private sectors and public firms make up the nomination evaluation committee.1      so far, dr peyman has gained many awards and merits. he has already registered more than 135 patents in his name in the united states which include innovative instruments in medicine, the development of new operation techniques, and the latest innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. his significant achievement has been lasik (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) invention which he developed in 1977. the main impetus behind this invention was his enthusiasm to test the effects of lasers for refractive errors. to study this, he assessed the potential use of a co2 laser to correct corneal refraction in rabbits.   in 1989, that research with its procedure brought for him the u.s. patent.2 that patent award is only one among several merits and awards that have been given to dr peyman. in 2005, through a ballot he was named as one of the 13 living ophthalmologists among the 30,000 ophthalmology nominees around the world his name was included in the list of names in ophthalmology hall of fame.3   professor peyman is famous for his innovations and pioneer work in vitreoretinal surgery comprising intravitreal drug delivery, improvement of the use of the operating microscope by using a stereoscopic assistant head, endoresection, endo-laser and his work in the 23-gauge vitrectomy the first in its type.   although dr peyman often works on retinal complications and disease as his clinical work, he has already been able to develop many devices, techniques and tools in handling medical treatment for a vast range of ophthalmological cases, a quality that has led to receiving many patents to this date.4 dr peyman has already started working on the intravitreous antibiotic injection to target endophthalmitis complications. in his conjunction with colleagues, he has collaboratively assessed the toxicity quality of intravitreal antibiotics, immunosuppressive mediators, antifungal and anti-proliferative substances. in addition, dr peyman and his colleagues have developed procedures for removing ocular tumors through eye-wall and internal resection an achievement that exempted patients from undergoing enucleation, saving a certain degree of their vision.3     dr peyman was born in the city of shiraz, iran and at the age of 19 he moved to germany for his medical studies and later on to the united states. the iranian society of ophthalmology awarded him its first gold medal in 2010. in order to acknowledge his achievement and accomplishments, a lecture is dedicated annually in dr peyman’s name by the iranian society of vitreoretinal surgeons and the plan has been endorsed and approved by the board of trustees of the iranian society of ophthalmology.5 professor peyman has always maintained close academic cooperation with the medical universities and research centers in iran. he has been the guest speaker at numerous iranian national scientific conferences and seminars.   the american academy of ophthalmology has awarded him with the prestigious lifetime achievement award and the association for research in vision and ophthalmology (arvo) presented him with the first translational research award for his achievements.   medicine has a very long history in iran. iran was replete with many scientific centers such as jundishapur university in the 3rd century ad in which many outstanding and famous scientists from various parts of the world were trained. during the course of history, those centers contributed greatly to new medical and theoretical ideas to facilitate significant studies in those fields. the history of medicine and science is rich with iranian scientists like professor peyman having significant impacts on the progress of science in the world.6   dr peyman has already published more than 10 books and 900 papers. as a skillful professor, he has always been an outstanding model in teaching students, residents and fellows that is why he is proudly named as a “doctors’ doctor”. the results of his scientific and academic achievements, research, studies, innovation and pioneer work have resulted in his being now the professional carrier of more than 200 fellows around the world5 with millions of people being indebted indirectly to him for their vision, sight and life.   the editorial board of iranian journal of ophthalmology is proud to have the opportunity to congratulate professor peyman for his lifetime accomplishments and outstanding contributions to the world of science.       hormoz chams, md   editor-in-chief     abolfazl rahimi, md*   department of ophthalmology, tehran medical branch, islamic azad university, tehran, iran     * corresponding author   abolfazl rahimi, md   [email protected]       disclosure: the authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.       references     1. http://www.azbio.org/peyman-wins-national-medal-of-technology-and-innovation-physician-among-those-honored-by-president , access date: march 4, 2012.   2. us patent 4,840,175, method for modifying corneal curvature, granted june 20, 1989.   3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gholam_a._peyman , access date: december 24, 2012.   4. larkin h. 20 years of lasik ahead of his time on lasik. eurotimes 201115(7-8):10.   5. soheilian m. a tribute to dr gholam a peyman. j ophthalmic vis res 20116(1):1-2.   6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ancient_iranian_medicine, access date: december 24, 2012.