Dr. Miguel Refojo, a renowned and innovative senior scientist at Harvard's Schepens Eye Research Institute, died July 14th after a prolonged illness at the age of 88.

Dr. Refojo served as director of the Institute’s Center for the Development of Materials for Retinal and Corneal Surgery, where he spent 40 years in research resulting in developments improving vision for millions. He collaborated with two of the outstanding ophthalmologists of the 20th century, Dr. Charles Schepens and Dr. Claes Dohlman, in the development of polymer and silicone materials utilized in retinal detachment surgery, vitreous substitutes, and drug delivery.

He was responsible for two ground-breaking innovations, the full significance of which was not recognized for decades. The first innovation was his development of a new contact lens material, which revolutionized contact lens design by allowing the manufacture of a thin optical membrane. This led to the founding of Corneal Sciences, Inc. in 1972 and in 1980 the introduction of the first membrane contact lens, the CSI lens. This lens design improved vision and quality of life for many with complicated eye conditions and difficult prescriptions, previously untreatable. It served as the grandfather of contemporary lenses and the current one day disposable lenses.

The second contribution was the development of instrumentation for measuring tear film evaporation from the eye. This foundational research spawned subsequent research, determining that excessive evaporation of the tear film is the mechanism for the majority of all dry eyes and laid the foundation for current dry eye treatments.

Born in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, Dr. Refojo received Bachelor and Doctor of Science degrees from the University of Santiago. He then spent three years in postdoctoral training in organic and polymer chemistry at Yale University. Following three years as a senior research chemist at DuPont, Ontario, Canada, he joined the Schepens Eye Research Institute as Head of the Biomedical Polymer Laboratory.

He was the author of over 150 scientific papers, numerous patents and received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his many contributions. Among them was Doctor "Honoris Causa" in Medicine, University of Santiago, Spain, Academic Correspondent of the Royal Academy of Pharmacy, Spain and the Ruben International Medal for outstanding contributions to contact lenses, where the introductory words stated "Dr. Refojo's invention has changed contact lens practice forever". Other awards included the Award for Applied Research of the World Society of Biomaterials and Award "Emilio Diaz Coneja" for research in ophthalmology, University of Valladolid, Spain. He received many honors in Spain, where he was acknowledged as the first Spaniard to have made significant contributions to the fields of contact lenses and biomaterials for ocular surgery.

In addition to his wife, Svetlana, Dr. Refojo is survived by his daughter, Karla Refojo of Santa Barbara, California, his son Michael Refojo with his wife Christy and their children Jake, Mimi, Jon and Sofie of Wellesley, Massachusetts .

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Road, Wellesley, on August 9, 2016 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Refojo's memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church.

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