Martin A. Mainster, PhD, MD, FRCOphth

Professional Background

Professor Mainster is the Luther and Ardis Fry Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. His scholarly activities have produced three innovations used by most ophthalmologists: (1) UV-protective intraocular lenses implanted in hundreds of millions of people who have had cataract surgery over the past three decades, (2) aspheric contact lenses used worldwide for retinal examination, laser therapy and vitreoretinal surgery, and (3) crossed-beam aiming systems that are an integral part of Nd:YAG laser photodisruptors needed to treat capsular fibrosis after cataract surgery. Professor Mainster worked in aerospace research for several years after receiving his Ph.D. in physics. His medical training concluded with a Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary vitreoretinal fellowship. He moved to the University of Kansas after practicing in Boston at the Schepens Retina Associates where he served as Senior Scientist, Director of the Clinical Research Center of the Schepens Eye Research Institute and a Harvard Medical School faculty member. He has been an invited professor at numerous universities and a keynote speaker in many international symposia. He serves on numerous editorial board and technical-standards-setting committees. Professor Mainster has been the recipient of Ford Foundation and National Science Foundation fellowships. He has received the University of Kansas School of Medicine’s Faculty Member of the Year Teaching award for the Department of Ophthalmology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Honor and Senior Achievement Awards and medals of recognition from Italian and Indian ophthalmology societies.

• BS, Physics, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
• PhD, Physics, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
• MD, Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
• Internship, Medicine, University of Texas Branch at Galveston, United States
• Residency, Ophthalmology, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Texas A&M College of Medicine, Temple, TX
• Clinical Fellowship, Medical and surgical management of retina and vitreous disease, Retina Associates, Schepens Retina Foundation and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

• Board Certification, American Board of Ophthalmology
• Medical Doctor, State of Kansas

• Laser Institute of America, Member, 2001 - Present
• American National Standards Institute, Member, 1987 - Present
• Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, Member, 1986 - Present
• Macula Society, Member, 1985 - Present
• American Academy of Ophthalmology, Fellow, 1981 - Present
• Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Member, 1969 - Present
• American Physical Society, Member, 1967 - Present

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Research

Overview

Professor Mainster is an internationally-recognized leader in fields of macular disease, intraocular lens design, ophthalmoscopy, retinal laser surgery, physiological optics and retinal light hazards. His pioneering research contributed to the development and widespread use of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, retinal microperimetry, variable contrast acuity testing, multi-wavelength retinal photocoagulation, fractal analysis in retinal imaging and UV-blocking intraocular lenses. His research also provided the basis for parameter selection in clinical retinal laser photocoagulation, proved that solar retinopathy was caused by photic retinopathy rather than retinal photocoagulation and introduced contrast sensitivity testing into clinical practice. Professor Mainster has written over 170 scientific articles, served as reviewer for more than 30 scientific journals and is an author on 13 patents. More than 7500 scientific articles have cited his publications to date. His bibliometric Hirsh-index is 43, i10-index is 86 and i100 index is 27.