Dr. Philip Charles Hessburg was the co-founder and President Emeritus of the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO). The DIO merged with Henry Ford Health in 2012 and now serves as the research education arm of Henry Ford’s Department of Ophthalmology. In recognition of his exemplary lifetime contributions to ophthalmology medicine and research, Dr. Hessburg has been named the inaugural Chairholder of the Philip C. Hessburg, M.D. – Art Van Elslander Chair in Ophthalmic Research.

Dr. Hessburg’s professional accomplishments are many. In addition to being a highly accomplished general ophthalmologist and surgeon, he was a researcher and inventor. He authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers on a variety of ophthalmic issues. He also invented one of the early intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery, as well as a vacuum corneal trephine for use in corneal transplants that is commonly used today. Additional inventions included a sub-palpebral lavage system, a surgical correlator, ophthalmic pressure dressings and a corneal light guard, inventions that delivered medications directly to the eye, and improved surgical efficiencies and outcomes. Dr. Hessburg also founded Mediventures, Inc., a pharmaceutical development company that successfully developed a rapid dissolving drug delivery system for children and individuals with swallowing difficulties that is widely used today with a number of different medications.

Dr. Hessburg died on October 2, 2024 at the age of 94, following a short battle with cancer.

Research Spotlights

• A Visionary Journey: Dr. Philip Hessburg's Lifelong Quest for Vision Restoration

  September 24, 2023 8:07 AM

Experience

• DOI Co-Founder & President Emeritus (1972 - present)

  Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology

  Henry Ford Health Systems

• Residency (1959 - 1963)

  Henry Ford Hospital

Education

• MD (1955)

  Medical College of Wisconsin

• BS (1948 - 1952)

  St. John's University