Chair Emeritus of the Department of Ophthalmology Emory University School of Medicine
Timothy W. Olsen, MD, served from 2007-16 as chair; F. Phinizy Calhoun Sr. Professor of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine; and director of Emory Eye Center. In 2016, he was appointed Chairman Emeritus when he stepped down from his position to found iMacular Regeneration, LLC (iMac Regen). Dr. Olsen served as Professor and Consultant in Ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota (2017-2023), Secretary for Quality of Care for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (2016-2022) and as President of the American Ophthalmological Society and Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology in 2023-24. In December 2023, Dr. Olsen founded EyeMacular Regeneration, Inc. (EyeMac Regen) where he serves as CEO.
Dr. Olsen graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kansas and then from the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, where he was elected as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (ΑΩΑ). He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota and fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery and diseases (retina) at Emory Eye Center.
His academic career started at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Assistant Professor 1996-98. He was recruited to found and direct the Minnesota Lions Macular Degeneration Center at the University of Minnesota, where he served for 10 years as the William H. Knobloch Endowed Chair for Retina.
Dr. Olsen’s primary area of research is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He developed novel ophthalmologic drug delivery, pioneering transscleral, suprachoroidal, and aerosol drug delivery, leading to commercial applications of suprachoroidal drug delivery. His AMD grading system of eye bank eyes is recognized internationally to study the pathogenesis of AMD.
During his career, Dr. Olsen has been awarded more than $8.7 M in total, independent research support as a Principal Investigator. Dr. Olsen has been designated a Top Doctor in Madison, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota, Atlanta, Georgia, and as Castle Connolly America's Top Doctors. He has received six distinguished teaching awards from four universities. He was awarded the Young Investigator Award by the Macula Society, the Love of Sight Visionary Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness in, and the Research and Innovation Award by the Lions World Vision Institute, Tampa Florida where he serves as Research Advisory Board Chair. He has served as executive editor for the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
His publication record includes more than 196 peer-reviewed articles. He has given approximately 485 national or international lectures.
Medical School: University of Kansas
Residency: University of Minnesota
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery and Diseases (Retina): Emory Eye Center, Atlanta GA