The Ophthalmic Biophysics Center (OBC) was established in 1970 under the tutelage of Bascom Palmer founder, Edward W.D. Norton, M.D., and Jean-Marie Parel, Ph.D. The center’s mission is to perform translational research directly benefiting patient eye care.  Research at the OBC addresses all areas of ophthalmology ranging from the retina and vitreous to cornea, glaucoma, cataracts, neuro-ophthalmology and ocular oncology. 

Over 350 surgical instruments and clinical devices have been developed to date, with many more in the works. The most notable devices include: the Vitreous Infusion Suction Cutter (VISC) designed for the first vitrectomy, retinal tacks, a glaucoma microshunt (half the size of an eyelash), and Coulomb-Controlled Iontophoresis for drug delivery.  In addition to these devices, the OBC creates novel imaging technology for real-time imaging of the eye to study a range of ocular structures and diseases. 

Location

McKnight building, 1st and 2nd floors

Director

Jean-Marie Parel, Ph.D.
Training program affiliation: BME

Co-Director

Fabrice Manns, Ph.D.
Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Ophthalmology
Training program affiliation: BME

Medical Director

Sonia Yoo, M.D.
Professor of Ophthalmology

Investigator

Marco Ruggeri, Ph.D. 
Research Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Director of Research Operations

Mariela C. Aguilar, M.S.