Dan Schwartz, MD
Professor
Ophthalmology
School of Medicine

His research focuses on developing new therapies and diagnostics for eye disease.

With Drs. Robert Grubbs and Julia Kornfield at Caltech, he co-invented the Light Adjustable Lens, an intraocular lens whose power can be adjusted non-invasively using light during the post-operative period. FDA Approved in 2017, it optimizes vision without spectacles for patients who have had cataract surgery.

With Drs. Scott Fraser and Jeff Fingler, he co-invented OCT angiography, a non-invasive means of imaging the retinal and choroidal vasculature. OCT angiography is playing an increasingly important role in diagnosis and management of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other common retinovascular diseases.

Dr. Schwartz’s current efforts are directed at developing novel therapies for age-related macular degeneration and myopic macular degeneration.

He is grateful for the research support he has received from the NIH, Research Prevent Blindness, the Pritzker Family Fund, the Hellman Foundation, the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, and many of his patients.

• Correlation Between Localized Choriocapillaris Perfusion and Macular Function in Eyes with Geographic Atrophy.
  American journal of ophthalmology 2021 Rinella NT, Zhou H, Wong J, Zhang Q, Nattagh K, Porco TC, Wang RK, Schwartz DM, Duncan JL
• CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY OCCLUSION WITH CILIORETINAL ARTERY SPARING AFTER LASER-ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS.
  Retinal cases & brief reports 2021 Francis AW, Zhu I, Borirakchanyavat S, Schwartz DM, Hwang DG
• Systematic evaluation of nine monogenic autoinflammatory diseases reveals common and disease-specific correlations with allergy-associated features.
  Annals of the rheumatic diseases 2021 Schwartz DM, Kitakule MM, Dizon BL, Gutierrez-Huerta C, Blackstone SA, Burma AM, Son A, Deuitch N, Rosenzweig S, Komarow H, Stone DL, Jones A, Nehrebecky M, Hoffmann P, Romeo T, de Jesus AA, …
• BILATERAL ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS ENDOPHTHALMITIS WITH MULTIPLE RECURRENCES.
  Retinal cases & brief reports 2021 Aderman CM, Chao DL, Obeid A, Schwartz DM, Bhisitkul RB, Chiu CS
• T Cells in Autoimmunity-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases.
  Frontiers in immunology 2020 Schwartz DM, Burma AM, Kitakule MM, Luo Y, Mehta NN
• An autocrine Vitamin D-driven Th1 shutdown program can be exploited for COVID-19.
  bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 2020 McGregor R, Chauss D, Freiwald T, Yan B, Wang L, Nova-Lamperti E, Zhang Z, Teague H, West EE, Bibby J, Kelly A, Malik A, Freeman AF, Schwartz D, Portilla D, John S, Lavender P, Lionakis MS, Mehta NN, …
• Hyperlipidaemia and IFNgamma/TNFalpha Synergism are associated with cholesterol crystal formation in Endothelial cells partly through modulation of Lysosomal pH and Cholesterol homeostasis.
  EBioMedicine 2020 Baumer Y, Dey AK, Gutierrez-Huerta CA, Khalil NO, Sekine Y, Sanda GE, Zhuang J, Saxena A, Stempinski E, Elnabawi YA, Dagur PK, Ng Q, Teague HL, Keel A, Rodante JA, Boisvert WA, Tsoi LC, Gudjonsson JE,…
• OCT Angiography to Predict Geographic Atrophy Progression using Choriocapillaris Flow Void as a Biomarker.
  Translational vision science & technology 2020 Nattagh K, Zhou H, Rinella N, Zhang Q, Dai Y, Foote KG, Keiner C, Deiner M, Duncan JL, Porco TC, Wang RK, Schwartz DM
• Automated morphometric measurement of the retinal pigment epithelium complex and choriocapillaris using swept source OCT.
  Biomedical optics express 2020 Zhou H, Dai Y, Gregori G, Rosenfeld PR, Duncan JL, Schwartz DM, Wang RK
• Quantifying Choriocapillaris Flow Voids in Patients With Geographic Atrophy Using Swept-Source OCT Angiography.
  Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging retina 2019 Rinella NT, Zhou H, Zhang Q, Keiner C, Oldenburg CE, Duncan JL, Wang RK, Schwartz DM
• Quantifying choriocapillaris hypoperfusion in patients with choroidal neovascularization using swept-source OCT angiography.
  Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2019 Keiner CM, Zhou H, Zhang Q, Wang RK, Rinella NT, Oldenburg CE, Duncan JL, Schwartz DM
• STIM1 holds a STING in its (N-terminal) tail.
  Cell calcium 2019 Son A, de Jesus AA, Schwartz DM
• Imaging outcome measures of neuroprotection and repair in MS: A consensus statement from NAIMS.
  Neurology 2019 Oh J, Ontaneda D, Azevedo C, Klawiter EC, Absinta M, Arnold DL, Bakshi R, Calabresi PA, Crainiceanu C, Dewey B, Freeman L, Gauthier S, Henry R, Inglese M, Kolind S, Li DKB, Mainero C, Menon RS, Nair G…
• OCT Angiography and Cone Photoreceptor Imaging in Geographic Atrophy.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2018 Qin J, Rinella N, Zhang Q, Zhou H, Wong J, Deiner M, Roorda A, Porco TC, Wang RK, Schwartz DM, Duncan JL
• Challenges and advantages in wide-field optical coherence tomography angiography imaging of the human retinal and choroidal vasculature at 1.7-MHz A-scan rate.
  Journal of biomedical optics 2017 Poddar R, Migacz JV, Schwartz DM, Werner JS, Gorczynska I
• POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC STUDY.
  Retinal cases & brief reports 2017 Moussa K, Bloomer MM, Schwartz DM, Pan CK, Toy BC, Crawford JB, Afshar AR
• Acute Bilateral Vision Loss.
  JAMA ophthalmology 2016 Aderman CM, Schwartz DM
• Detection of pigment epithelial detachment vascularization in age-related macular degeneration using phase-variance OCT angiography.
  Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2015 McClintic SM, Kim DY, Fingler J, Garcia S, Zawadzki RJ, Morse LS, Park SS, Fraser SE, Werner JS, Ruggiero JP, Schwartz DM
• Palmoplantar pustules and osteoarticular pain in a 42-year-old woman.
  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2014 Zuo RC, Schwartz DM, Lee CC, Anadkat MJ, Cowen EW, Naik HB
• Same-Day Versus Next-Day Repair of Fovea-Threatening Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments.
  Seminars in ophthalmology 2014 Gorovoy IR, Porco TC, Bhisitkul RB, de Juan E, Schwartz DM, Stewart JM
• Dexamethasone intravitreal implant trapped at the macula in a silicone oil-filled eye.
  Ophthalmology 2013 Afshar AR, Loh AR, Pongsachareonnont P, Schwartz DM, Stewart JM
• Phase-variance optical coherence tomography: a technique for noninvasive angiography.
  Ophthalmology 2013 Schwartz DM, Fingler J, Kim DY, Zawadzki RJ, Morse LS, Park SS, Fraser SE, Werner JS
• Reply: Microcysts in the inner nuclear layer from optic atrophy are caused by retrograde trans-synaptic degeneration combined with vitreous traction on the retinal surface.
  Brain : a journal of neurology 2013 Green AJ, Schwartz D, Gelfand J
• Spontaneous epiretinal membrane separation.
  Oman journal of ophthalmology 2013 Kolomeyer AM, Schwartz DM
• In vivo human choroidal vascular pattern visualization using high-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography at 1060 nm.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2012 Motaghiannezam R, Schwartz DM, Fraser SE
• Microcystic macular oedema in multiple sclerosis is associated with disease severity.
  Brain : a journal of neurology 2012 Gelfand JM, Nolan R, Schwartz DM, Graves J, Green AJ
• Noninvasive imaging of the foveal avascular zone with high-speed, phase-variance optical coherence tomography.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2012 Kim DY, Fingler J, Zawadzki RJ, Park SS, Morse LS, Schwartz DM, Fraser SE, Werner JS
• In vivo volumetric imaging of human retinal circulation with phase-variance optical coherence tomography.
  Biomedical optics express 2011 Kim DY, Fingler J, Werner JS, Schwartz DM, Fraser SE, Zawadzki RJ
• Corneal endothelial safety after ultraviolet light treatment of the light-adjustable intraocular lens.
  Journal of cataract and refractive surgery 2011 Lichtinger A, Sandstedt CA, Padilla K, Schwartz DM, Chayet AS
• Correction of astigmatism after cataract surgery using the light adjustable lens: a 1-year follow-up pilot study.
  Journal of refractive surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995) 2011 Lichtinger A, Sandstedt CA, Schwartz DM, Chayet AS
• Hypothermia reduces secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells.
  The British journal of ophthalmology 2010 Coassin M, Duncan KG, Bailey KR, Singh A, Schwartz DM
• Severe zone III retinopathy of prematurity in an infant with a birth weight of more than 1,500 grams.
  Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus 2010 Rutar T, Schwartz D, Good W
• An in vitro intact globe expansion method for evaluation of cross-linking treatments.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2010 Mattson MS, Huynh J, Wiseman M, Coassin M, Kornfield JA, Schwartz DM
• Expression of reverse cholesterol transport proteins ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) and scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) in the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.
  The British journal of ophthalmology 2009 Duncan KG, Hosseini K, Bailey KR, Yang H, Lowe RJ, Matthes MT, Kane JP, LaVail MM, Schwartz DM, Duncan JL
• Correction of residual hyperopia after cataract surgery using the light adjustable intraocular lens technology.
  American journal of ophthalmology 2008 Chayet A, Sandstedt CA, Chang SH, Rhee P, Tsuchiyama B, Schwartz D
• Phase-contrast OCT imaging of transverse flows in the mouse retina and choroid.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2008 Fingler J, Readhead C, Schwartz DM, Fraser SE
• High density lipoprotein mediated lipid efflux from retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture.
  The British journal of ophthalmology 2006 Ishida BY, Duncan KG, Bailey KR, Kane JP, Schwartz DM
• Light-adjustable lens: customizing correction for multifocality and higher-order aberrations.
  Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society 2006 Sandstedt CA, Chang SH, Grubbs RH, Schwartz DM
• Statin and aspirin therapy are associated with decreased rates of choroidal neovascularization among patients with age-related macular degeneration.
  American journal of ophthalmology 2004 Wilson HL, Schwartz DM, Bhatt HR, McCulloch CE, Duncan JL
• Complications of hydrogel explants used in scleral buckling surgery.
  American journal of ophthalmology 2004 Kearney JJ, Lahey JM, Borirakchanyavat S, Schwartz DM, Wilson D, Tanaka SC, Robins D
• Light-adjustable lens: development of in vitro nomograms.
  Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society 2004 Schwartz DM, Sandstedt CA, Chang SH, Kornfield JA, Grubbs RH
• Regulated expression of apolipoprotein E by human retinal pigment epithelial cells.
  Journal of lipid research 2003 Ishida BY, Bailey KR, Duncan KG, Chalkley RJ, Burlingame AL, Kane JP, Schwartz DM
• Histopathological analysis of the cornea after laser in situ keratomileusis.
  Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 2003 Crawford JB, Aldave AJ, McLeod S, Howes E, Schwartz D
• Light-adjustable lens.
  Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society 2003 Schwartz DM
• Human retinal pigment epithelial cells express scavenger receptors BI and BII.
  Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2002 Duncan KG, Bailey KR, Kane JP, Schwartz DM
• Corneal toxicity of intraocular hyaluronidase.
  Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2002 Jumper JM, McCauley MB, Equi RA, Duncan KG, Duncan J, Schwartz DM
• An economic analysis of interventions for diabetes.
  Diabetes care 2000 Klonoff DC, Schwartz DM
• Human trabecular meshwork cells as a thyroid hormone target tissue: presence of functional thyroid hormone receptors.
  Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie 1999 Duncan KG, Jumper MD, Ribeiro RC, Bailey KR, Yen PM, Sugawara A, Patel A, Stern R, Chin WW, Baxter JD, Schwartz DM
• Visual and anatomic outcomes associated with posterior segment complications after ganciclovir implant procedures in patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis.
  American journal of ophthalmology 1999 Lim JI, Wolitz RA, Dowling AH, Bloom HR, Irvine AR, Schwartz DM
• The human fetal retinal pigment epithelium: A target tissue for thyroid hormones.
  Ophthalmic research 1999 Duncan KG, Bailey KR, Baxter JD, Schwartz DM
• Hyaluronan and CD44 in the human cornea and limbal conjunctiva.
  Experimental eye research 1998 Lerner LE, Schwartz DM, Hwang DG, Howes EL, Stern R
• Tetrodotoxin: anesthetic activity in the de-epithelialized cornea.
  Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie 1998 Schwartz DM, Duncan KG, Fields HL, Jones MR
• Experimental study of tetrodotoxin, a long-acting topical anesthetic.
  American journal of ophthalmology 1998 Schwartz DM, Fields HL, Duncan KG, Duncan JL, Jones MR
• Experimental use of tetrodotoxin for corneal pain after excimer laser keratectomy.
  Cornea 1998 Schwartz DM, Duncan KG, Duncan JL
• Expression of CD44 isoforms in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.
  Ophthalmic research 1998 Jumper MD, Stern R, Lui GM, Formby B, Schwartz DM
• Aqueous hyaluronic acid concentration: comparison in pediatric and adult patients.
  Current eye research 1997 Jumper JM, Chang DF, Hoyt CS, Hall JL, Stern R, Schwartz DM
• Hyaluronan polymer size modulates intraocular pressure.
  Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 1997 Equi RA, Jumper M, Cha C, Stern R, Schwartz DM
• Corneal endothelial hyaluronidase: a role in anterior chamber hyaluronic acid catabolism.
  Cornea 1997 Schwartz DM, Jumper MD, Lui GM, Dang S, Schuster S, Stern R
• Guarded microvitreoretinal blade.
  Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 1996 Schwartz DM
• Human vitreous hyaluronidase: isolation and characterization.
  Current eye research 1996 Schwartz DM, Shuster S, Jumper MD, Chang A, Stern R
• New therapies for cytomegalovirus retinitis.
  International ophthalmology clinics 1996 Schwartz DM
• A sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction-based assay for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis.
  American journal of ophthalmology 1995 McCann JD, Margolis TP, Wong MG, Kuppermann BD, Luckie AP, Schwartz DM, Irvine AR, Ai E
• Management of traumatic hemorrhagic retinal detachment with pars plana vitrectomy.
  Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 1990 Han DP, Mieler WF, Schwartz DM, Abrams GW