
Dr. Deborah K. VanderVeen, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and an international leader in pediatric cataract surgery and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). As Director of the Pediatric Cataract Service at Boston Children’s Hospital, she is nationally recognized for her expertise in managing complex pediatric cataracts and advancing the use of intraocular lenses in infants and young children. She is Director of the ROP service and pioneered the telemedicine program, which was among the first in the United States and currently provides remote ROP screening for infants in several New England states.
An accomplished clinician-scientist, Dr. VanderVeen has co-led numerous NIH-sponsored clinical trials, including the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study, which set the standard of care for infants with unilateral cataract. Over her 25+ year tenure at Boston Children’s Hospital, she has trained future leaders in pediatric ophthalmology, organized educational workshops, and delivered prestigious invited and names lectures. Her dedication to clinical care, teaching, and research has earned her numerous honors, including Senior Achievement Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, as well as election to the American Ophthalmological Society.
Financial disclosure: Dr. Vanderveen has/had an affiliation (financial or otherwise) with a commercial organization:
- OPhtec Inc - Consultant
Sessions in which Deborah Vanderveen MD participates
Saturday 21 June, 2025
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Improve surgical techniques during eye surgery in the digital age.To understand the mechanisms of low tension glaucoma, discern masqueraders and learn more about management strategies.To know the most common types of retinal pathologies that can result from myopia.To...
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Describe the current state of surgical simulation training in Canadian Ophthalmology residency programs, and how to improve strabismus surgery experiences for residents
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Apply ROP screening guidelines specific to CanadaDescribe pathophysiology of ROP and future potential screening tools
Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this session, participants will be able to:Integrate current practice patterns in the diagnosis and treatment of orbital cellulitis
Sunday 22 June, 2025
Brief AbstractIn 1989, Dr. Pratt-Johnson reported on sensory outcomes of 4 patients who had unilateral congenital cataract. In these cases, surgery was performed from 2.5 to 7 months of age, and at that time, surgical technique was by needling and aspiration or with an ocutome, eyes were fitted with a rigid contact lens, and patching of the fellow eye 80-90% of waking hours was initiated. In these 4 patients with good compliance to treatment, fusion and ste...