The Iranian Legendary Ophthalmologist, Professor Ali Asghar Khodadoust, Passed Away at 82
Professor Ali Asghar Khodadoust, a world distinguished ophthalmologist and an international pioneer of eye research, died on Friday, 9th of February, 2018 at the age of 82.
Dr. Ali Asghar Khodadoust was born in 1935 in Shiraz, Iran. He entered Shiraz University of Medical sciences previously known as Shiraz Faculty of Medicine in 1952. After six years of medical course, he commenced his residency at Namazee Hospital in Shiraz to become an otolaryngologist. In 1959, he was awarded a grant to continue his medical education in Ophthalmology in the US. Four years later, on June 28, 1963, he became the first foreign resident of ophthalmology at Wilmer Eye Institute (WEI), Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Professor Edward A Maumenee, a former director of the WEI, acknowledged that Dr. Khodadoust was their best resident ever. Graduating in 1964, he first worked as a lecturer for one year and in 1965 he became an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the WEI.
Since then, he had effectively spared his time on the production and development of knowledge through his precious and influential presence in different universities. In 1968 he returned to Iran and began teaching in the Faculty of Ophthalmology at Shiraz University as a full-fledged professor. From 1968 to 1980 he traveled between Iran and America to train experts in both countries and to conduct his scientific projects. Later, in 1982 he became the Director of Ophthalmology Department at the University of Cecil to continue his sincere contribution to the scientific progress of human health.
Professor Khodadoust devoted his life to studying corneal diseases and transplantation biology in ophthalmology. Several famous American ophthalmologists recognized him as the world's best corneal graft surgeon. Professor Khodadoust achieved impressive findings in this field due to which “Khodadoust rejection line” (Corneal Endothelial Rejection), is internationally named after him.