News — Rockville, Md. - The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) announced today the 2025 recipients of its annual Advocacy Awards:
- Achievements in Eye and Vision Advocacy Award ―&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Dimitrios Karamichos, PhD, MSc (The University of North Texas [UNT] Health Science Center at Fort Worth College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Fort Worth, Tex.)
- Emerging Advocate Award ―&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Anna CS Tan, MBBS, MMed, PhD (Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore)
The Achievements in Eye and Vision Advocacy Award recognizes ARVO members who have dedicated their careers to advancing eye and vision research through advocacy at all levels.
Karamichos is interim dean of The UNT Health Science Center (HSC) at Fort Worth College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences. He also serves as executive director and endowed chair of the North Texas Eye Research Institute at HSC. His research focuses on investigating, developing and delivering new treatments for corneal trauma, dystrophies and diseases.
A strong advocate for vision research and public awareness, Karamichos has participated in congressional briefings, led educational campaigns and spearheaded initiatives to promote eye health. His outreach efforts extend to eye health screenings and community events, reinforcing his commitment to improving access to care. In addition, he is a dedicated mentor to early-career scientists, fostering professional development opportunities and cultivating inclusive, collaborative environments that empower the next generation of vision researchers. Many colleagues have recognized his efforts in expanding the eye and vision science pipeline by recruiting and supporting future leaders in the field.
Named by Healthcare Everything magazine as one of the “Most Visionary Leaders to Watch in 2024,” Karamichos launched Whole Eye Health last year ― an initiative emphasizing the critical connection between eye health and overall well-being. The inaugural symposium highlighted clinical outcomes, latest advancements and the importance of an integrated approach to eye care. By bringing together researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates, it fostered collaboration and innovation in vision health.
On being named an ARVO Advocacy Awardee, Karamichos says, “This recognition is truly humbling, and I am so thankful for this incredible acknowledgement of the work we’ve been doing." He notes the award is not just a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the dedication and passion of the many individuals who have tirelessly championed this cause alongside him. He adds that he especially wants to thank ARVO for the invaluable support. "ARVO's commitment to fostering collaboration and disseminating knowledge through scientific meetings has been instrumental in amplifying our research and driving real impact. I am immensely proud of the progress we've made together, and this award serves as further motivation to continue striving for positive change.”
Regarding future endeavors, Karamichos emphasizes his commitment to education, awareness and advocacy. He plans to deepen his understanding of eye diseases, technological advancements and policy developments, with the goal of then sharing this knowledge with eye care professionals and the public. He will continue also to support organizations through donations, volunteering, and collaborating to advocate for increased funding and improved access to care.
The Emerging Advocate Award recognizes ARVO early-career members who have made efforts to incorporate advocacy as part of their professional efforts.
Tan is a senior consultant ophthalmologist and director of Global Eye Health at the Singapore National Eye Centre. She is also a clinical associate professor at Duke University and the National University of Singapore (Duke-NUS). A devoted ophthalmologist and global eye health advocate with over two decades experience in fighting for equitable eye care locally and internationally, Tan's dedication to enhancing patient outcomes, especially for underserved populations, has been the cornerstone of her advocacy and leadership.
In 2017, she served as the clinical director of Low Vision, spearheading digital initiatives to improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals. She actively contributes to education, capacity building and developing global eye health policies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where she empowers local institutions to harness digital technology and innovation for sustainable eye care solutions.
Tan’s leadership extends beyond clinical practice and research. She has received multiple awards and authored numerous articles, editorials and book chapters. Her dedication to empowering young ophthalmologists and women led to her appointment as treasurer of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology, where she established its first Women’s Chapter. She understands the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advocacy, having built strong relationships with government agencies and non-medical organizations. Additionally, she leads the World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives, workgroups and advisory boards in partnership with key non-governmental organizations.
Tan shares that, “being recognised for the ARVO Emerging Advocate Award is especially meaningful, being a female ophthalmologist representing the Asia-Pacific region. I have always been passionate about using my training and talents to amplify voices that may be under-represented, such as the visually impaired, women in ophthalmology, and young ophthalmologists." She notes this recognition would not have been possible without the amazing teams of like-minded individuals and experiences with inspirational patients that continually shape her understanding of important health care issues and guide her many initiatives. "As a woman in a field where leadership has traditionally been male-dominated, this award is a testament to the power of persistence, collaboration, and the impact of advocacy beyond the clinic. It reinforces my commitment to ensuring that eye care is not just about medical advancements but also about equity, accessibility, and sustainable change, especially in resource scarce environments.”
Going forward, Tan plans to continue advocating for more innovative assistive devices in visual rehabilitation, developing mentorship programs for women and young ophthalmologists, and fighting for improvement in eye care. She hopes also to train Laos nurses plus elementary and high school teachers in conducting eye screenings, and to work on developing more initiatives.
To learn more about the ARVO Advocacy Awards, visit ARVO’s website.
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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is an international eye and vision research organization with more than 11,000 members from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders. Learn more at ARVO.org.
Media contact:
Jenniffer Scherhaufer
1.240.221.2923
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