News — Rockville, Md.—The ARVO Foundation congratulates Ryo Terao, MD, PhD — 2025 recipient of the Bert M. Glaser, MD Award for Innovative Research in Retina. The award recognizes an early-career investigator who has discovered a novel drug, technique, or the understanding of a mechanism of disease that impacts the understanding and/or treatment of a retinal disease or condition.
Terao is an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo. His research revealed how problems with fat metabolism in the eye can lead to cellular aging and contribute to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss. Demonstrating how his work has led to a development that will revolutionize retina care, he expains, “The findings suggest that treatments targeting aging cells (senotherapy) or boosting a key molecule called NAD+, which helps cells stay healthy, could be effective strategies to stop early-stage AMD from worsening into its more severe forms.”
Funded by the Glaser family through the ARVO Foundation, and named in memory of Bert M. Glaser, MD — a long-time retina researcher, surgeon, innovator and teacher whose life was cut short in 2017 after a brief illness — the award provides $10,000 in funding to the recipient.
"Receiving the Bert M. Glaser, MD Award for Innovative Research in Retina is a tremendous honor and validation of my work," says Terao. He adds that the recognition underscores the importance of investigating novel approaches to understand and treat retinal diseases, and is a motivation for him to continue pursuing innovative translational research that can improve the lives of patients. "This award not only highlights the significance of my research but also provides valuable visibility and encouragement to explore new avenues in retinal science. The recognition can open doors to collaborations, funding opportunities, and a broader platform to share my findings. It strengthens my resolve to advance our understanding of retinal diseases and develop new therapies to prevent vision loss."
For more information about the Bert M. Glaser, MD Award for Innovative Research in Retina, visit ARVO’s website.
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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include approximately 10,000 eye and vision researchers 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.
Established in 2001, the ARVO Foundation for Eye Research raises funds through partnerships, grants and sponsorships to support ARVO’s world-class education and career development resources for eye and vision researchers of all stages of career and education. Learn more at ARVOFoundation.org.
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