George Baerveldt, MD

Dr. George Baerveldt, whose surgical innovations play an important role in the management of glaucoma, died on Apr. 13, 2021 while recuperating from vascular surgery.

Dr. Baerveldt received his medical training in South Africa, ultimately becoming the Principal Surgeon and Head of the St. Johns Eye unit of Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg. The hospital was a popular venue for visiting ophthalmologists. Dr. Steven Ryan, after visiting the hospital, invited Dr. Baerveldt to join his faculty at the Estelle Doheney Clinic, resulting in Dr. Baerveldt's ultimate move to America in 1985.

Dr. Baerveldt was a brilliant and innovative surgeon. His inventions included the large Baerveldt tube shunt, utilized for single quadrant implantation for the management of intractable glaucoma. Impressed by the successful treatment of congenital glaucoma, his inventive mind developed the Trabectome for a similar treatment in adults. This innovation was to become the forerunner to the many subsequent angle procedures used for the management of glaucoma today.

Dr. Baerveldt was honored internationally, being invited as a keynote speaker at meetings held in various countries around the world. While in South Africa, Dr. Baerveldt always donated his time and skills to those unable to afford them. Dr. Baerveldt was the recipient of many awards and honors including Honorary President of the 6th International Congress on Glaucoma Surgery 2012. Dr. Baerveldt has become well known for his inventions regarding the treatment of glaucoma. He will also leave a legacy as teacher and mentor for the many residents he trained.

Dr. Baerveldt will be remembered for the brilliance of his innovative mind, his constant smile, his pleasant demeanor, his humbleness and his willingness to help and teach whenever called upon to do so. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.