Ophthalmology community mourns loss of Michael Blumenthal, MD

Leading cataract surgeon passes away after battle with metastatic melanoma.

Michael Blumenthal

World-renowned ophthalmologist Prof. Michael Blumenthal, MD, passed away April 28 at the age of 72.

Prof. Blumenthal, of Tel Aviv, was on the editorial board of Ocular Surgery News Europe/Asia-Pacific Edition since its launch more than 18 years ago. He was one of the founders of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, then EIIC, and served as president from 1995 to 1997. He founded the Annual Meeting on Ocular Microsurgery in Israel and was chief editor of the Israel Journal of Ophthalmology.

He was also a full professor at the Tel-Aviv University, director of the Institute for International Scientific Exchanges in Medical Sciences and Sidney A. Fox Chair in Ophthalmology. His eye institute, “Ein-Tal,” was one of the largest and most respected private eye centers in Israel.

In addition to his organizational work and teaching, he was also a researcher. In his career, he published 236 articles and attended more than 200 ophthalmology congresses around the world. He is also known for having developed the Mini-Nuc technique, which allowed for the lens nucleus to be extracted manually through a small, stitchless incision using an anterior chamber maintainer. Clinical results for the technique showed it was comparable to extractions using machines, according to Ehud I. Assia, MD.

Dr. Assia said Dr. Blumenthal was a devoted teacher, mentor and clinician.

“He was a creative and dynamic researcher, and in his clinical and experimental studies included extensive investigation of fluid dynamics and the expandable full-sized hydrophilic intraocular lenses,” Dr. Assia said. “He guided and guarded his young colleagues and many of his residents are now directors of eye departments and the leading ophthalmologists in Israel.”

For more information:

Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Daria Lemann-Blumenthal,Tel Aviv University, Ein Tal Eye Center 17, Brandeis Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 62001 or by e-mail to daria@prof-blumenthal.co.il.

In memoriam: Michael Blumenthal

by Richard L. Lindstrom, MD

Prof. Michael Blumenthal, MD, passed away on April 28 after a fight with metastatic melanoma. Dr. Blumenthal will be missed worldwide for his special sense of humor, intellectual curiosity and honesty and many contributions to ophthalmology. After completing his undergraduate, medical school and specialty training in Israel, Michael traveled to New York City for fellowship training in glaucoma.

During his training in New York, he was befriended by several early pioneers in cataract surgery and lens implantation including Norman Jaffe, MD, Jack Dodick, MD, and Stephen A. Ostbaum, MD. This began his career-long interest in cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Michael returned to Israel and served as chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology in Tel Aviv and later entered private practice in that same city.

Dr. Blumenthal’s unique contributions to ophthalmology include serving as president of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (then the EIIC) and hosting an annual meeting in Jerusalem. He was a tireless teacher traveling worldwide, often accompanied by his wife Naomi.

He developed and popularized the small-incision ECCE using a chamber maintainer. Michael also performed extensive research into hydrophilic acrylic lens implants. In 2004, Michael was honored by his International Intra-Ocular Implant Club colleagues with the Jan Worst Medal lecture.

Michael, a cherished friend and trusted colleague to all he met, will be missed but not forgotten. He is survived by his devoted wife Naomi and his two children Boaz and Daria.

For more information:

Messages of sympathy may be sent to: Daria Lemann-Blumenthal,Tel Aviv University, Ein Tal Eye Center 17, Brandeis Street, Tel Aviv, Israel 62001 or by e-mail to daria@prof-blumenthal.co.il.