Stanley Chang, MD, is the Edward S. Harkness Professor and Chairman of
Ophthalmology at Columbia University. He is also the K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying
Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Chang obtained a bachelor of science in
electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After a
Masters degree in Biomedical Electronic Engineering at the University of
Pennsylvania, he completed his medical education at the College of Physicians &
Surgeons of Columbia University. After ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts
Eye and Ear Infirmary, he was a vitreoretinal fellow at the Bascom Palmer Eye
Institute. Dr. Chang joined the faculty of Department of Ophthalmology at
Cornell University Medical School in 1979, where he became Professor of
Ophthalmology in 1994. Appointed the Edward S. Harkness Professor and Chairman
of the Department of Ophthalmology in 1995, he also serves as director of the
Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute.
Dr. Chang has developed and pioneered several revolutionary surgical approaches
to treat complicated forms of retinal detachment, improving outcomes for
patients worldwide. He was the first to use perfluoropropane gas in the
management of retinal detachments caused by scar tissue proliferation (PVR) on
the retina. This gas is the most frequently used gas in vitreoretinal surgery.
He developed perfluorocarbon liquids, a ‘heavy liquid’ used in flattening
retinal detachment, and the related surgical techniques for vitreoretinal
surgery. In collaboration with Avi Grinblat, he developed a panoramic viewing
system and led in the worldwide adaptation by retina surgeons to this technique.
He is the recipient of several honors including the Hermann Wacker Prize from
the Club Jules Gonin, Helmerich Prize from the American Society of Retinal
Specialists, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Secretariat Award from the
American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Jackson Lecture and the Alcon Research
Institute Award. Consistently named as one of America’s best doctors, Dr. Chang
was recently recognized as one of three physicians selected as National
Physician of the Year by the Castle Connolly Guides (2008).