Chakshu Research Announces Appointment of Dr. Randall Olson as Director
Los Gatos, CA, / February 11, 2008—Chakshu Research, a specialty pharmaceutical company targeted at developing a non-surgical treatment for cataract and other degenerative ocular diseases, announced the addition of Dr. Randall J. Olson, M.D., to its Board of Directors in October of 2007.
Dr. Olson is the CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center and serves as the Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Utah where he has been honored with the John A. Moran Presidential Endowed Chair. The department has been a leading force in understanding the complications associated with intraocular lenses and is recognized internationally for this research.
Dr. Olson was fascinated with Chakshu’s early results and wanted to help bring the clinical science to a level of some clarity regarding the potential impact on cataract formation associated with aging. “With proven safety and continued good efficacy trends, Chakshu stands to be the first to offer a non-surgical cataract treatment for such an unmet medical need. Because of this and their trending toward potential treatment for other common eye diseases, I am committed to working with them in hopes of providing additional care for today’s unserved patients.”
He is the author of more than 300 professional publications and a worldwide lecturer. Dr. Olson specializes in research dealing with intra-ocular lens complications, teleophthalmology and corneal transplantation techniques. He was selected as one of the 15 best cataract surgeons in the United States in a peer survey conducted by Ophthalmology Times. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today named Dr. Olson as one of 50 international opinion leaders. He has appeared in the last three editions of Best Doctors in America.
After completing his undergraduate training and medical schooling at the University of Utah (BA ´70, MD ´73), he completed his residency at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1977. He went on to complete fellowships in cornea and external disease at the University of Florida in Gainesville and at the LSU Eye Center in New Orleans, where he joined the faculty in 1977 as Director of Corneal Services.
Dr. Olson joined the University of Utah faculty as an associate professor and division chief in 1979.