Helen Danesh-Meyer Explained

Helen Danesh-Meyer
Birth Name:	Helen Victoria Danesh-Meyer
Fields:	Ophthalmology
Workplaces:	University of Auckland
Thesis1 Title:	Evaluation of diagnostic procedures, visual outcome and optic nerve morphology in giant cell arteritis
Thesis1 Url:	https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/5551
Thesis1 Year:	2004
Thesis2 Title:	Evaluation of optic nerve morphology in non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies with quantitative optic nerve imaging modalities
Thesis2 Url:	https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/22745
Thesis2 Year:	2013

Helen Victoria Danesh-Meyer is a New Zealand ophthalmology academic, and as of 2008 is a full professor at the University of Auckland.^[1]

She is the first female professor of ophthalmology in New Zealand,^[2] and the second female professor in any surgical speciality in New Zealand.^[2]

Academic career

After an undergraduate at the University of Otago followed by a 2004 MD titled 'The evaluation of diagnostic procedures, visual outcome and optic nerve morphology in giant cell arteritis' ^[3] and a 2013 PhD titled 'Evaluation of optic nerve morphology in non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies with quantitative optic nerve imaging modalities' at the University of Auckland,^[4] Danesh-Meyer joined the staff at Auckland, rising to full professor.^[1]

Much of Danesh-Meyer's profile is due to her work on glaucoma.^{[5] [6] [7]}

In 2022, she co-founded the Vision Research Foundation and acts as its Scientific Director. The Vision Research Foundation focuses on supporting early and mid-career vision researchers in New Zealand^[8]

Danesh-Meyer has been an authored or co-author of over 180 peer-reviewed publications. Her work has linked retinal nerve thinning to dementia and inflammation pathways relevant to eye diseases.^[9]

Honours

In the 2023 New Year Honours, Danesh-Meyer was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), for services to ophthalmology.^[10]

Selected works

• Danesh-Meyer, H. V., H. Birch, JY-F. Ku, Stuart Carroll, and Gregory Gamble. "Reduction of optic nerve fibers in patients with Alzheimer disease identified by laser imaging." Neurology 67, no. 10 (2006): 1852–1854.
• Danesh-Meyer, Helen V., Taras Papchenko, Peter J. Savino, Andrew Law, James Evans, and Greg D. Gamble. "In vivo retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by optical coherence tomography predicts visual recovery after surgery for parachiasmal tumors." Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 49, no. 5 (2008): 1879–1885.
• Danesh-Meyer, Helen V. "Radiation-induced optic neuropathy." Journal of Clinical Neuroscience 15, no. 2 (2008): 95–100.
• Danesh-Meyer, Helen V. "Neuroprotection in glaucoma: recent and future directions." Current Opinion in Ophthalmology 22, no. 2 (2011): 78–86.
• Danesh-Meyer, Helen V., Peter J. Savino, and Robert C. Sergott. "Ocular and cerebral ischemia following facial injection of autologous fat." Archives of Ophthalmology 119, no. 5 (2001): 777–778.
• Danesh-Meyer, Helen V., Peter J. Savino, and Robert C. Sergott. "The prevalence of cupping in end-stage arteritic and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy." Opthalmology 108, no. 3 (2001): 593–598.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer – The University of Auckland . Unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz.
2. Web site: Kiwi eye surgeon recognised in King’s honours list + ' - NZ Optics for all eye health professionals' . 2024-07-21 . www.nzoptics.co.nz.
3. Danesh-Meyer . Helen . 2004 . MD thesis . Evaluation of diagnostic procedures, visual outcome and optic nerve morphology in giant cell arteritis . ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland . 2292/5551.
4. Danesh-Meyer . Helen . 2013 . Doctoral thesis . Evaluation of Optic Nerve Morphology in Non-glaucomatous Optic Neuropathies with Quantitative Optic Nerve Imaging Modalities . ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland . 2292/22745 .
5. Web site: The eyes have it : The Listener . Noted.co.nz.
6. Web site: Tiny tube saving sight of glaucoma patients in New Zealand . Amy Wiggins . 2 November 2017 . The New Zealand Herald.
7. Web site: Patrick Gower reveals shock glaucoma diagnosis . Stuff.co.nz. 29 June 2018 .
8. Web site: About Us. Vision Research Foundation.
9. Web site: Helen DANESH-MEYER | University of Auckland, Auckland | Research profile. ResearchGate.
10. News: New Year Honours: New Zealanders recognised across fields from science to sport . 31 December 2022 . . 31 December 2022.