Faculty and Physicians

Timothy W. Olsen, MD

F. Phinizy Calhoun Sr. Professor of
Ophthalmology
Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology
Director, Emory Eye Center
Section of Vitreoretinal Surgery & Disease

As a member of the Vitreoretinal Surgery & Disease service at Emory Eye Center, Dr. Olsen’s clinical expertise is in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, complex retinal detachment surgery, and pediatric retinal disorders.

Dr. Olsen’s research is funded through the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In conjunction with his key collaborators, Deborrah Ferrington, PhD, University of Minnesota, and Dr. Xiao Feng, MD, he has studied the proteomics of AMD. While director of the Minnesota Lions Macular Degeneration Center and with the assistance of the Minnesota Lions Eyebank, he and Dr. Feng developed the Minnesota Grading System (MGS) for AMD, which has won awards internationally. This system is a non-interventional model of AMD, allowing work to be done at the biochemical level (Dr. Ferrington, et al.), studying early events of pathologic aging. Future studies will look at detailed sub-cellular events, such as those occurring in the mitochondria and lysosomes.

He has collaborated with the department of Mechanical Engineering ( Art Erdman, PhD, and Paul Lofttness, PhD) to develop novel surgical instrumentation and methodology for addressing advanced cases of AMD (developmental stages, patent). These same authors developed an illuminated and automated scleral depression device (patent).

Dr. Olsen and colleagues have characterized three modes of drug delivery to posterior segment tissues. First, while a fellow at Emory in Dr. Henry F. Edelhauser and Dayle Geroski’s lab, the transscleral route of drug delivery in human sclera was investigated. In conjunction with industry (iScience Interventional, Inc.), he developed a novel methodology for cannulatiion of the suprachoroidal space. Recently, as part of an NEI/NIH funded project with industry (Powerscope, Inc.), he and collaborators Amir Naqwi, PhD, Timothy Wiedman, PhD, and Chris Fandrey, developed a novel method of delivering drugs using aerosol nanoparticle delivery in the gas-phase of vitreoretinal surgery. This recent work resulted in additional funding through the NEI/NIH for further development and pre-clinical testing.

Prior translational studies by Dr. Olsen in collaboration with Dr. Clifford Steer, MD, and Walter Low, PhD, at the University of Minnesota, investigated the use of bile acids (TUDCA) in delaying retinal degeneration. Simultaneous work by Jeffrey Boatright, PhD, and colleagues at Emory led to promising opportunities to investigate this potential therapy for treating degenerative retinal disorders. This technology has been licensed to industry for future development (patent).

He holds memberships in macula and retina societies, as well as the Society of Heed Fellows, American Society of Retina Specialists, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

He serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS). As principal investigator on both basic and clinical studies, his grants total more than $3 million.

Medical School
University of Kansas: 1989

Residency
University of Minnesota: 1993

Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery
Emory Eye Center, Atlanta GA:
1994-1996

Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Medical Examiners