Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences faculty members are highly respected in their fields of expertise and involved in many interesting activities in/out of work. Each month this "Faculty Feature" will take an opportunity to share a little about individual faculty members - who they are and what they are up to.
- Mark Greiner, MD
- Cornea and External Disease Service
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Medical Director, Iowa Lions Eye Bank
- Robert and Joell Brightfelt Professor of Cornea Research
- Fellowship Director, Cornea, External Diseases and Refractive Surgery
- Faculty Member since 2012
Dr. Greiner has been involved in numerous professional societies and organizations, and currently serves as the Medical Director for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank.
He is proud to have received the Troutman Prize by the Castroviejo Cornea Society in 2015 for his work as an early investigator in cornea and diabetes research. This was the result of having conducted a multicenter study that was first to describe diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft preparation failure and tissue wastage.
Dr. Greiner's clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Fuchs endothelial cell dystrophy (FECD) has led to even more detailed studies into its genetic causes, pathophysiology, and most recently, targeted pharmacological rescue of corneal endothelial cell function. Work continues in his lab to further investigate the role of oxidative damage in FECD and corneal endothelial cell dysfunction and its impact on corneal health.
Professional recognition and leadership include:
- Medical Director for the Iowa Lions Eye Bank
- Served 4 years of service on the Board of Directors for the Eye Bank Association of America
- Awarded the Troutman Prize by the Castroviejo Cornea Society in 2015
"It's all about the people. My life at Iowa is wonderful because I get to work with the best, brightest, and nicest in all of medicine!!"
What are your favorite activities, hobbies, or interests outside of work?
Music and food. Punk rock, playing bass, baking bread, craft cocktails. I also have an arsenal of useless and pointless knowledge about some of these things.
If you could have one "superhero" power, what would it be?
Clairvoyance.