Jeffrey Gilbard, MD

I was shocked to hear about the tragic death of Jeff Gilbard, founder of Advanced Vision Research (the Theratears company). He was 55.

Dr. Gilbard was one of the top pioneers in the world of dry eye treatment and made huge contributions to the field, between his research, his products (TheraTears, TheraTears Nutrition, etc), his care of patients and how he increased awareness of dry eye and the need for more advanced treatments. His death is a huge loss to us all.

Dry eye disease pioneer Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, dies at 55 years of age
OSN SuperSite, August 14 2009

WOBURN, Mass. — Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD, whose pioneering research led to innovative treatments for dry eye disease and retinal disorders, died Aug. 12 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston from complications from a bicycle accident. He was 55 years old.

Known for his holistic approach to eye care, Dr. Gilbard is considered one of the first ophthalmic researchers to recognize the link between nutrition and the overall health of the eye.

Dr. Gilbard founded Advanced Vision Research in 1995 to market and distribute TheraTears, an over-the-counter eye drop he invented to treat dry eye. TheraTears soon became one of the best-selling eye lubricants on the market and has spawned additional products, including TheraTears Nutrition, MacuTrition and NutriDox.

In 1978, while attending medical school at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Gilbard received his first project grant from the National Eye Institute to develop an eye drop for treating dry eye. To this day, he remains the youngest scientist on record to receive funding from the organization.