ASRS Leaders and Legends Interview: Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, FASRS

Unlike most kids, Eugene de Juan, Jr., preferred his toys broken. Fascinated by his ophthalmologist father’s many gadgets and his grandfather’s workshop, Gene 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. 

Learn more at www.HistoryofRetina.org.

About the History of Retina

The History of Retina is brought to you by the Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in an effort to preserve the history and heritage of retina for generations to come. Trace the journey of the specialty's dynamic evolution by exploring milestones in technology, instrumentation, and techniques and hearing first-hand accounts from retina pioneers whose innovative spirit and pivotal contributions laid the framework for the advanced sight-saving retinal care of today and the enormously promising treatments of tomorrow.