Marjan Farid, MD, recognized for eye care innovations

(Image credit: AdobeStock/fotobieshutterb)

Marjan Farid, MD, received the Roger Steinert, MD, Legacy Award at the Octane Ophthalmology Tech Forum, held June 20-21 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Irvine, California.

The award, created by nonprofit Octane OC in 2017, honors the legacy of the late UCI Health ophthalmologist Roger Steinert, MD, for his contributions to the field of ophthalmology, including revolutionizing modern laser surgery techniques to prevent blindness and improve vision. He served as chairman of the UC Irvine School of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology and founding director of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.¹

“This recognition is a testament to Dr. Farid’s unwavering dedication, expertise and leadership in ophthalmology,” said Baruch D. Kupperman, MD, director of the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.“Her work continues to inspire her colleagues and shape the future of eye care.”

Farid recognized Steinert as a mentor, colleague and friend in her acceptance speech.

“He taught me so many things, not only to be a great clinician and surgeon, but he also taught me how to think ... about problems and how to derive innovative solutions to those problems in our industry,” she said.

Farid is a professor of ophthalmology and director of the UCI Health Service Ocular Surface Disease Program. She carries on Steinert’s legacy of leadership and his commitment to a world without blindness. She has restored vision for hundreds of people with serious damage to the surfaces of their eyes.

Farid also is one of the few ophthalmologists in the country who can perform the intricate ocular stem cell transplantation procedure.

Fueled in part by Farid’s work, the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute was named by the Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration in 2023 as the first of 5 centers of excellence for severe ocular disease in the United States and the only one on the West Coast.

Farid also performs all types of corneal transplants, including femtosecond laser-enabled lamellar keratoplasty and limbal stem cell transplants. She also is the author or co-author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, with her research focusing on corneal surgery and the use of the femtosecond laser in corneal transplantation. Her research interests include corneal transplantation, lamellar keratoplasty, femtosecond laser, limbal stem cell transplantation, artificial cornea, Boston keratoprosthesis, ocular surface disease, dry eye disease and cataract innovations.²

Every year since 2012, Farid has been named a Physician of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association. She also served as chairwoman of the Cornea Clinical Committee with the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) from 2023 to 2024.

Reference:

1. Ophthalmologist Dr. Marjan Farid recognized for eye care innovations | UCI Health | Orange County, CA. www.ucihealth.org. Accessed July 9, 2024. https://www.ucihealth.org/news/2024/07/marjan-farid-steinert-legacy-award

2. UC Irvine - Faculty Profile System. faculty.uci.edu. Accessed July 9, 2024. https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5641