Glaucoma NZ Trust Chair Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer is among the Top 10 Glaucoma Ophthalmologists in the world. An honour declared in The Ophthalmologist Power List 2025.
As part of the listing, 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. Nominees are influential and inspirational by their peers. Particularly by their achievements, admired among these peers. An international judging panel pared down the resulting nominations to a final Top 50, this year divided into five categories:
- Cataract & Refractive
- Glaucoma
- Retina
- Research
- Innovation
Prof. Danesh-Meyer has been honoured in the Power List for the third year in a row. She is also the only female in her category.
“I am deeply honoured to be recognized among the Top 10 Ophthalmologists worldwide in the field of Glaucoma in this year’s…Power List” said Prof. Danesh-Meyer, expressing her delight in a LinkedIn post.
“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.”
Image credit: The Ophthalmologist