DOI: 10.1097/IAE.0b013e31823dab58

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PMID: 22270769

Issn Print: 0275-004X

Publication Date: 2012/02/01


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TRIBUTE TO YANNUZZI

Lee M. Jampol

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Excerpt

Is there anyone in ophthalmology who thinks faster than Larry Yannuzzi? Is there anybody in ophthalmology who successfully lectures at a faster pace than Larry Yannuzzi? Is there anyone in our generation who is a voluntary faculty member who has contributed more to the field of academic retina? I don't think so. Larry Yannuzzi is unique. I first met Larry in the early 1970s. I went to the course at the American Academy of Ophthalmology put on with Howard Schatz, Kurt Gitter, Jerry Shields, and Maurice Rabb. They presented a series of difficult diagnostic problems. It was apparent that Larry was a phenomenal clinician. He also demonstrated a grasp of the literature that was overwhelming.
Larry's assets? First of all, he has energy that we all envy. Second, his mind races ahead and almost always in the right direction. Third, he has a penchant for describing new findings and diseases that has sustained him throughout his career. He has staked out his claims in areas of ophthalmology like central serous retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and white spot syndromes. His contributions have made him a leader in each of these areas. This leadership has been sustained for 40 years! Fortunately, our interests have overlapped and I have learned an immense amount from Larry. The highlights of my year include watching Larry in action at imaging conferences. He teaches, he entertains, and he keeps the audience on their toes. The amount of learning at these conferences, whether he is the moderator or just a participant in the audience, is enhanced. He has made important contributions to our understanding of pathogenesis and treatment of central serous retinopathy. He has contributed to the advances in imaging that have changed our lives. This includes indocyanine green, fluorescence angiography, autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography. In addition to his numerous publications in the best journals, he has trained retinal specialists who have assumed leadership positions throughout the world, especially Italy. Although I am not sure he speaks much Italian, despite his Italian heritage, the Italian retinal community is largely trained by Larry, and patients throughout Europe benefit from of this. In addition, he organizes cystoid macular edema meetings, especially his New York update course every 3 years that bring together the leaders of our field, all of whom are anxious to participate in this extravaganza. These courses are great teaching events but also great social events. Finally, but not really finally, he has published a series of books, especially his recent Atlas that are astonishing in the high quality of text and the images. On top of all of this, Larry is a superb person, ethical, and foremost interested in his patients. He is a great role model for all of us (Figure 1).
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