Wallace L. M. Alward, MD

Dr. Alward was a member of the EyeRounds Board from 2016-2020.

He is an Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine where he was also the  Frederick C. Blodi Chair in Ophthalmology, Vice-Chair of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Director of the UIHC Glaucoma Service.

Dr. Alward is primarily a glaucoma clinician. His areas of research interest include pigmentary glaucoma, combined glaucoma and cataract surgery, normal tension glaucoma, and gonioscopy. The major focus of his research over the last many years has been the molecular genetics of glaucoma. In collaboration with Edwin Stone and Val Sheffield, Dr. Alward was part of the team that described the first gene for primary open angle glaucoma. He was involved in the discovery of the myocilin gene for primary open angle glaucoma, the PITX2 and FOXC1 genes for Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, and the TBK1 gene for normal tension glaucoma.

Dr. Alward has been active in web education for a number of years and is the driving force behind Gonioscopy.org and the Iowa Glaucoma Curriculum.

He has been honored for his contributions to education. He was one of the 2012 recipients of the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence. Given by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, the award honors faculty members for work representing a significant contribution to excellence in public education. He was also the inaugural recipient of the 2016 American Glaucoma Society Outstanding Educator Award. The award recognizes his extraordinary commitment to advancing glaucoma education to residents, fellows, and colleagues. 

Education

• AB, Biology, Kenyon College
• MD, Medicine, Ohio State University

Post Graduate Education

• Internship, General Surgery, University Hospitals of Pittsburgh
• Residency, Chief Resident, Ophthalmology, University of Louisville
• Residency, Ophthalmology, University of Louisville
• Fellowship, Glaucoma, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami