Editorial introductions

Abstract

Current Opinion in Ophthalmology was launched in 1990. It is one of a successful series of review journals whose unique format is designed to provide a systematic and critical assessment of the literature as presented in the many primary journals. The field of Ophthalmology is divided into nine sections that are reviewed once a year. Each section is assigned a Section Editor, a leading authority in the area, who identifies the most important topics at that time. Here we are pleased to introduce the Journal's Section Editors for this issue. SECTION EDITORS Alex V. LevinAlex V. LevinDr Levin is the Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Genetics at Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, USA. After graduating from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA, and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, USA, Dr Levin completed a pediatric residency at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA and continued on there as a staff child abuse pediatrician. He then completed an ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. This was followed by a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, where he continued as a staff ophthalmologist and Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics, Genetics and Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the University of Toronto, Canada, for over 16 years. He was the Director of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship program and Co-Director of their Ocular Genetics program. He completed a MHSc in Bioethics at the University of Toronto and was the university's Director of Postgraduate Bioethics Education. In 2008 he relocated back to Wills where he is also Professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics. He holds US Board certification in pediatrics, ophthalmology, and child abuse pediatrics. Dr Levin has a long-standing interest in ocular manifestations of child abuse, pediatric cataract, pediatric glaucoma, ocular genetics and the ophthalmic manifestations of pediatric systemic disease. Richard C. AllenRichard C. AllenRichard C. Allen MD PhD attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina USA and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a BS in Chemistry where he received the Departmental Award in Chemistry. He was accepted into the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas USA where he received his MD and PhD degrees. His dissertation was under the direction of John W. Belmont MD PhD in the Dept. of Human and Molecular Genetics. His dissertation “Molecular Genetics of X-linked Immunodeficiencies Affecting B Lymphocyte Function” was awarded the Sigma Xi Thesis Excellence Award. Other awards included first place for basic sciences for the MSTP class entering 1987 and the Medical Student Research Award from the Society of Pediatric Research. Dr Allen completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA and residency in ophthalmology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. Under the mentorship of Edwin M. Stone MD PhD and Thomas A. Oetting MD MS, he completed a fellowship in molecular ophthalmology and comprehensive ophthalmology at the University of Iowa. In 2000, Dr Allen joined the faculty in the Dept. of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine where he was Chief of the Ophthalmology Service at Ben Taub General Hospital. In 2002, he joined the faculty in the Division of Ophthalmology, Dept. of Surgery at the University of New Mexico, School of Medicine. From 2004 to 2006, he completed additional fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery at the University of Iowa under the direction of Jeffrey A. Nerad MD and Keith D. Carter MD, sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). In 2006, Dr Allen returned to New Mexico where he rejoined the faculty at the University of New Mexico and also built a substantial oculoplastics practice at Eye Associates of New Mexico. Upon the departure of Dr Jeffrey Nerad from the University of Iowa in 2009, Dr Allen returned to Iowa City where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Dept. of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. His practice is limited to ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr Allen is a member of ASOPRS and the American Eye Study Group, among others. He has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. He is a reviewer for multiple medical journals and is a member of committees in ASOPRS, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO). He is an active lecturer for many universities, hospitals, and medical societies worldwide. His research interests include genetic diseases of the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal system. He lives in Iowa City with his wife Missy, son Gus, and daughter Sophie.