Joan W. Miller, MD
Joan W. Miller, MD, is a world-renowned retina expert who helped discover and pioneer new treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Last month, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences announced nearly 250 new members to its prestigious honorary society, with Joan W. Miller, MD, chair of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, Mass General Brigham, and Harvard Medical School among the list of honorees whose work has had a transformative impact on the United States.
Miller will be honored during a ceremony that takes place in October in Cambridge, Mass.
Founded in 1780, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences brings together exceptional scholars, leaders, artists, and innovators to advance the public good. Its inaugural members include Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.
Additional visionaries include such as Alexander Hamilton, Martin Luther King, Jr., Albert Einstein, and Madeleine Albright.
A full list of 2025 honorees can be found here, and include renowned researchers, academics and public figures across many sectors including entertainment, industry, journalism and public policy.
Pioneering New Treatments for Age Related Macular Degeneration
Dr. Miller has made transformative contributions to the field of ophthalmology, particularly in age related macular degeneration, or AMD.
AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in the U.S., impacting an estimated 20 million Americans and more than 200 million individuals worldwide.
Miller and colleagues pioneered the development of photodynamic therapy using verteporfin (Visudyne®), the first treatment to slow vision loss in patients with advanced AMD.
The group also identified the key role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the growth of abnormal blood vessels within the eye that contribute to numerous blinding eye conditions such as AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
This discovery led to the development of anti-VEGF therapies, which are now administered to millions of adults and children with sight-threatening retinal diseases annually around the world.
In recognition of this groundbreaking work, Miller and her team received the prestigious 2014 António Champalimaud Vision Award, one of the highest distinctions in ophthalmology and visual science.
Dr. Miller's research continues to be active, investigating the root biological causes of AMD to find new strategies for earlier intervention as well as new neuroprotective therapies for retinal diseases.
Leadership and Impact
Miller joined the faculty of Mass Eye and Ear in 1991, eventually becoming the first woman physician to serve as chair of the departments of Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. Throughout her career, she has been the recipient of numerous awards that were often historic firsts.
With her election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Miller’s visionary leadership and extraordinary impact on science, medicine, and society are getting well-deserved national recognition.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and one that fills me with a great deal of gratitude for the many patients, physicians, scientists, and medical, research and hospital staff members who I have collaborated with throughout my career,” said Miller.
“One thing that inspires me when I look at past and current honorees, is the focused determination to tackle society’s greatest challenges.
"What motivates me every single day is finding better treatments and cures for eye diseases, and inspiring my colleagues and future generations of researchers and scientists to do the same.”
Research at Mass General Brigham
At Mass General Brigham, research isn’t just about discovery—it’s about transforming patient care worldwide.
With a community of more than 3,700 Principal Investigators and 16,000 scientists, we are pioneering discoveries in fields ranging from AI and gene therapy to cancer, neuroscience, and global health.
Through collaboration, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, we turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world impact. Follow us for the latest research insights, clinical advancements, and stories of discovery from across Mass General Brigham.
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