James Tielsch, PhD

My research interests focus on two major areas, the epidemiology and control of blinding ocular disease in the United States and in developing countries, and the epidemiology and control of micronutrient malnutrition and infectious disease among young children in developing countries with special emphasis on vitamin A, iron, zinc and neonatal health. Current research activities in the epidemiology of ocular disease include the Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study and a number of other smaller studies. My interests cover the full range of studies involving epidemiologic methods in ophthalmology including basic descriptive epidemiologic studies of prevalence and incidence, etiologic research on risk factors for ocular disease, clinical trials of new treatments or community-based control strategies, screening, and health services research on inputs and outcomes of clinical management strategies on a population basis. Current research activities in micronutrient malnutrition and infectious disease include studies of the role of intestinal helminth infections on iron deficiency anemia and malnutrition in Zanzibar; the impact of iron and zinc supplementation on mortality, morbidity, growth, and neurodevelopment of preschool age children in Zanzibar and Nepal; and community-based trials of newborn washing and umbilical cord care on neonatal mortality and morbidity in Nepal.

Delta Omega (Public Health Honorary Society), 1982.

Distinguished Service Award, Prevent Blindness America, 1994.

Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1997.

F. Park Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award, Prevent Blindness America, 2002.

Person of Vision Award, Prevent Blindness America, 2008.