Michael Marmor

Clinical Focus

• Ophthalmology
• Medical retinal disease: in particular, retinal dystrophies, macular dystrophies, toxic retinopathy, disorders of retinal function such as night or color blindness, unexplained visual loss
• Supervision of physiologic testing including electroretinogram ERG), multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) and visually evoked potentials (VEP)

Administrative Appointments

• Chairman, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine (1984 - 1992)

Honors and Awards

• Green Lecturer, Macula Society (2007)
• Susruta Lecturer, West Virginia University (1999)
• Senior Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (1996)
• Research Award, Alcon Research Institute (1989)
• Honorary Professor, Xian Medical University (1988)

Professional Education

• Board Certification: Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology (1974)
• Residency: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, MA (1973)
• Internship: UCLA School of Medicine, CA (1967)
• Medical Education: Harvard Medical School, MA (1966)
• AB, Harvard College, Mathematics (1962)

Research Interests

My laboratory research interests are in several areas. Regarding the physiology and pathophysiology of retina and pigment epithelium (RPE), studies have focused on mechanisms that control fluid movement across the RPE, and the adhesion between retina and RPE. We have also studied the modification of retinal ischemic damage, laser action upon the RPE and drug effects upon retina and RPE. Recent collaborative work has been considering means of replacing Bruch's membrane or RPE in diseased eyes, and the development of a retinal prosthesis.

Clinical investigations cover several areas. We are studying electrophysiological tests of retinal and RPE function, including non-photic responses (induced by drugs) and newer electroretinographic techniques such as multifocal ERG recording. Unusual dystrophies, toxic retinopathies and clinical problems in the area of medical retinal disorders are evaluated as appropriate. The pathophysiology of central serous chorioretinopathy has been studied. Our research programs bear directly on blinding disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, vascular disease (including diabetes), retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, macular dystrophies and toxic retinopathies.

Another major area of interest is the relationship between human vision and art, music, history, literature and sport. The role and implications of vision in art have been studied in depth.

Publications

• Effect of shape and coating of a subretinal prosthesis on its integration with the retina. Butterwick A, Huie P, Jones BW, Marc RE, Marmor M, Palanker D "Exp Eye Res" 2009 ; 1 (88) : 22-9
• Visual insignificance of the foveal pit: reassessment of foveal hypoplasia as fovea plana. Marmor MF, Choi SS, Zawadzki RJ, Werner JS "Arch Ophthalmol" 2008 ; 7 (126) : 907-13
• The dilemma of the late-onset "dystrophy". Marmor MF, "Doc Ophthalmol" 2007 ; 2 (114) : 107-9
• Intrasession variability of the full-field ERG. Hochstein GD, Molnar FE, Marmor MF "Doc Ophthalmol" 2007 ; 2 (115) : 77-83
• Ophthalmology and art: simulation of Monet's cataracts and Degas' retinal disease. Marmor MF, "Arch Ophthalmol" 2006 ; 12 (124) : 1764-9