Dr. Neil Bressler is a preeminent ophthalmologist and leader in retinal disease research, currently serving as Chief of the Retina Division at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He holds the inaugural James P. Gills Professor of Ophthalmology endowed chair, a testament to his distinguished career and contributions to the field. After completing his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1982, he pursued residency training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by Ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He completed his Retina fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute in 1987 and joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1988, where he has remained throughout his distinguished career.
Dr. Bressler's research has profoundly impacted the understanding and treatment of retinal diseases through his leadership in numerous clinical trials, particularly for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. He has authored over 450 peer-reviewed publications and chaired multiple NIH-sponsored multicenter randomized clinical trials that have established evidence-based standards of care worldwide. In 2017, he co-published a groundbreaking study demonstrating the application of deep learning AI to accurately detect age-related macular degeneration, opening new pathways for retinal diagnostics with limited training data. As Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Ophthalmology since 2013, he has shaped the dissemination of critical research findings to the global ophthalmic community. His expertise has been instrumental in advancing clinical trial methodology for retinal diseases, influencing treatment protocols that have improved outcomes for millions of patients.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Bressler has provided exceptional leadership as the 21st President of the Macula Society and as Chair of the National Eye Institute's Data and Safety Monitoring Committee for intramural clinical trials. He previously chaired the FDA Ophthalmic Devices Panel, significantly influencing regulatory standards for ophthalmic technologies and treatments. In 2008, he and his wife Susan B. Bressler were co-recipients of the Gertrude D. Pyron Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists for outstanding contributions to vitreoretinal disease knowledge. Recognized as one of ophthalmology's most influential figures, he was named to The Ophthalmologist's Power List for 2020 and continues to advance the field through his leadership in clinical research, mentorship of the next generation of retinal specialists, and exploration of innovative diagnostic approaches including artificial intelligence applications in ophthalmology.
