Marilyn T. Miller
Encyclopedia
Marilyn Miller is an American pediatric ophthalmologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital eye diseases and strabismus
. She has held leadership positions in her field, often as the first female in those positions.
residency
and fellowship
in pediatric ophthalmology at University of Illinois Hospital. She was a student of strabismus
expert Eugene R. Folk
. Miller received her B.A.
in microbiology
from Purdue University
in 1954 and M.S.
in the same subject from the University of Illinois in 1966.
, Parry-Romberg syndrome
, and fetal alcohol syndrome
. She described associations of Duane syndrome
with craniofacial abnormalities
, as well as dyslexia
, thalidomide
toxicity, and other first-trimester
anomalies. In the 1990s, her study of eye motility problems in people affected by thalidomide contributed to research into the causes of autism
.
During her long career, Miller became known particularly for her interest in international ophthalmology. Along with administrative and educational work in this area, she has cared for thousands of patients around the world, and particularly in Nigeria
.
Dr. Miller has been recognized for decades of care provided to children. She was the first female to serve as president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
, and also the first female board member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
.
website
Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It typically involves a lack of coordination between the extraocular muscles, which prevents bringing the gaze of each eye to the same point in space and preventing proper binocular vision, which may adversely...
. She has held leadership positions in her field, often as the first female in those positions.
Training
Miller graduated from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in 1959, and subsequently completed her internship, ophthalmologyOphthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
residency
Residency (medicine)
Residency is a stage of graduate medical training. A resident physician or resident is a person who has received a medical degree , Podiatric degree , Dental Degree and who practices...
and fellowship
Fellowship (medicine)
A fellowship is the period of medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program . During this time , the physician is known as a fellow...
in pediatric ophthalmology at University of Illinois Hospital. She was a student of strabismus
Strabismus
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other. It typically involves a lack of coordination between the extraocular muscles, which prevents bringing the gaze of each eye to the same point in space and preventing proper binocular vision, which may adversely...
expert Eugene R. Folk
Eugene R. Folk
Gene Folk was an American ophthalmologist who specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of strabismus. A charter member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, he later served as President of this organization...
. Miller received her B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
from Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1954 and M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in the same subject from the University of Illinois in 1966.
Contributions to medicine
Miller's contributions include descriptions of ocular findings in Mobius syndromeMobius syndrome
Möbius syndrome is an extremely rare congenital neurological disorder which is characterized by facial paralysis and the inability to move the eyes from side to side. Most people with Möbius syndrome are born with complete facial paralysis and cannot close their eyes or form facial expressions...
, Parry-Romberg syndrome
Parry-Romberg syndrome
Parry–Romberg syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by progressive shrinkage and degeneration of the tissues beneath the skin, usually on only one side of the face but occasionally extending to other parts of the body...
, and fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Current research also implicates other lifestyle choices made by the prospective mother...
. She described associations of Duane syndrome
Duane syndrome
Duane syndrome is a rare, congenital eye movement disorder most commonly characterized by the inability of the eye to abduct or move outwards...
with craniofacial abnormalities
Craniofacial abnormalities
Craniofacial abnormalities are congenital musculoskeletal disorders which primarily affect the cranium and facial bones.They are associated with the development of the pharyngeal arches.An example is platybasia.-External links:...
, as well as dyslexia
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
, thalidomide
Thalidomide
Thalidomide was introduced as a sedative drug in the late 1950s that was typically used to cure morning sickness. In 1961, it was withdrawn due to teratogenicity and neuropathy. There is now a growing clinical interest in thalidomide, and it is introduced as an immunomodulatory agent used...
toxicity, and other first-trimester
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
anomalies. In the 1990s, her study of eye motility problems in people affected by thalidomide contributed to research into the causes of autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
.
During her long career, Miller became known particularly for her interest in international ophthalmology. Along with administrative and educational work in this area, she has cared for thousands of patients around the world, and particularly in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.
Dr. Miller has been recognized for decades of care provided to children. She was the first female to serve as president of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is an academic association of pediatric ophthalmologists and strabismus surgeons. The pediatric ophthalmology fellowships in the United States are accredited by the AAPOS...
, and also the first female board member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership medical association of ophthalmologists–medical doctors specializing in eye care and surgery including medical, surgical and optical care. More than 90 percent of practicing U.S. Eye M.D.s are Academy members, and the...
.
Offices held and honors (partial list)
- Director of pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus service in the department of ophthalmology at The University of Illinois Eye and Ear InfirmaryThe University of Illinois Eye and Ear InfirmaryThe University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary houses the departments of ophthalmology and otolaryngology of the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Located in the heart of the Illinois Medical District, the Infirmary is a leading center for research and treatment of disorders of the...
from 1984-2002. - Professor of Ophthalmology, The University of Illinois Eye and Ear InfirmaryThe University of Illinois Eye and Ear InfirmaryThe University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary houses the departments of ophthalmology and otolaryngology of the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Located in the heart of the Illinois Medical District, the Infirmary is a leading center for research and treatment of disorders of the...
- 1988-1994 Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and StrabismusAmerican Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and StrabismusThe American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is an academic association of pediatric ophthalmologists and strabismus surgeons. The pediatric ophthalmology fellowships in the United States are accredited by the AAPOS...
- 1988-1994 Board of Directors, American Academy of OphthalmologyAmerican Academy of OphthalmologyThe American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership medical association of ophthalmologists–medical doctors specializing in eye care and surgery including medical, surgical and optical care. More than 90 percent of practicing U.S. Eye M.D.s are Academy members, and the...
- 1998-1999 President, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and StrabismusAmerican Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and StrabismusThe American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus is an academic association of pediatric ophthalmologists and strabismus surgeons. The pediatric ophthalmology fellowships in the United States are accredited by the AAPOS...
- 1990 Honor Award, 1997 Senior Honor Award, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- 1993 Martin J. Urist Endowed Lecture
- 1996 Frank D. CostenbaderFrank D. CostenbaderFrank D. Costenbader was an American physician frequently credited as the world's first pediatric ophthalmologist.-References:...
Lecturer, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus - 2002-2003 President American Ophthalmological Society
- 2006 Marshall M. ParksMarshall M. ParksMarshall Miller Parks was an American ophthalmologist known to many as "the father of pediatric ophthalmology".-Early life:...
Medal for Excellence in Pediatric Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus - 2007 Life Achievement Honor Award, American Academy of OphthalmologyAmerican Academy of OphthalmologyThe American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership medical association of ophthalmologists–medical doctors specializing in eye care and surgery including medical, surgical and optical care. More than 90 percent of practicing U.S. Eye M.D.s are Academy members, and the...
External links
Curriculum Vitae at University of Illinois at ChicagoUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...
website