Glaucoma NZ Trust Chair Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer is among the Top 10 Glaucoma Ophthalmologists in the world, as named in The Ophthalmologist Power List 2025.
As part of the honour, Prof. Danesh-Meyer offered advice that she would give herself if she were starting off in the glaucoma space.
Be curious. Challenge strongly held beliefs. Neuroscience, AI, space medicine, bioengineering – ideas from these areas might unlock the next big advance. The biggest breakthroughs in medicine often come from unexpected places – be open to radical, interdisciplinary ideas.
Be brave. The future of glaucoma care will not come from doing what has always been done. The biggest advances often sound impossible at first – don’t be afraid to explore wild, unconventional ideas.
Be in it for the long game. Glaucoma is a lifelong disease – your work should be focused on long-term patient outcomes. Remember you and your patients are going to grow old together – this is a journey. Cherish the relationships and be their doctor beyond their glaucoma. Advocate for their overall well-being, not just their IOP.
Be data-driven. Get comfortable with data as it redefines diagnosis and disease progression tracking – embrace it. Even if you’re not a data scientist, learn to work with AI experts.
Be collaborative. The most exciting developments in glaucoma are happening at the intersection of disciplines – vascular biology, neuroscience, architecture, engineering, optometry – all have something to contribute. Think globally – connect with biotech start-ups, industry, government agencies and funding bodies early to drive real-world impact.
Here, Prof. Danesh-Meyer emphasizes the collaborative, outside-the-box approach that’s needed to address glaucoma. Her leadership and vision offers hope for the future of patient care.
The Ophthalmologist is a magazine and news outlet for Health Professionals. They asked readers to nominate individuals whose influence and achievements are a continuing source of inspiration and admiration among their peers. The resulting nominations were pared down by an international judging panel to a final Top 50, this year divided into five categories:
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Cataract & Refractive
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Glaucoma
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Retina
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Research
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Innovation
This is the third year in a row that Prof. Danesh-Meyer has been honoured in the Power List. She is also the only female in her category.
Prof. Danesh-Meyer posted on LinkedIn expressing her delight. “I am deeply honoured to be recognized among the Top 10 Ophthalmologists worldwide in the field of Glaucoma in this year’s edition of The Ophthalmologist prestigious International Power List 2025”
“I’m grateful to be listed alongside colleagues whose work continues to shape and elevate the field…To be named among this extraordinary group of innovators and leaders is an honour—and a reminder of the collective momentum driving glaucoma care forward.”