Dr. Aquavella received his medical degree from the University of Naples, Italy, and was the first fellowship-trained corneal surgeon in the United States when he established his practice in the mid-1960s. He continues to be a leader in the area of cornea and anterior segment conditions. He is on the staff of the University of Rochester Eye Institute in Rochester, New York.
A past president of CLAO, he is well known for his work in the development of the therapeutic contact lens and collagen shield. Dr. Aquavella founded and for many years directed the Cornea Research Laboratory. He initiated Rochester's corneal fellowship program and has trained dozens of clinical corneal specialists and research fellows.
An internationally recognized lecturer, textbook author, and researcher, his current work is in the areas of corneal morphology and wound healing, ocular surface modulators, and keratoprostesis.
A recipient of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor and Senior Honor awards, Dr. Aquavella has been included in Best Physicians in America and Best Physicians in the Northeast.