Casey Eye Institute - Patient Services

Biography

William D. Mathers, M.D.

Stanford Medical School, 1973
Residency - Stanford and Univ. of Washington, 1975-1977, 1982-1985
Corneal Fellowship - Georgetown, 1985-1986
Professor of Ophthalmology - Univ. of Arizona, Georgetown Univ., Univ. of Iowa and OHSU (since 1986)
President, CLAO 1997-1998
President, PAACLR 1997-1998
Sub-specialty - Corneal Disease
Currently researching corneal infection, Dry Eye and genetic Boris of Corneal Dystrophies

Dr. Mathers, corneal specialist and refractive surgeon at Casey Eye Institute, lives his mantra. "I find it very moving to return sight to people. I think it is an honor and a privilege to help people see." This ardent desire to help people was what led Dr. Mathers to medicine in the first place. He modestly explains, "My decision to become a doctor was altruistic. I admired Albert Schweitzer and I thought helping others in the same way would be a worthwhile activity."

Dr. Mathers' formal studies began when he received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, followed by a M.D. from Stanford Medical School. Remaining at Stanford, he completed a residency in Anesthesiology. Dr. Mathers then taught anesthesia at Stanford and served as Chief of Cardiac Anesthesia at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, California, before making a career change. "I realized," he recalls, "that I no longer wanted to be a facilitator; rather I wanted to be the surgeon." His personal fascination with vision and the physics of sight led to his ophthalmology residency at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He followed his residency with a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, D.C. During his fellowship, Dr. Mathers also served as a Clinical Instructor at the Georgetown Department of Ophthalmology.

Upon completing his ophthalmic training, Dr. Mathers held academic appointments at Stanford Medical School, Georgetown University, the University of Arizona and the University of Iowa, where he served as Director of the Cornea Service. Dr. Mathers was also invited to share his knowledge elsewhere, accepting visiting professorships at the Medical College of Virginia, the University of Western Australia, the University of Connecticut, and the Val de Grace Hospital in Paris, France.

Throughout Dr. Mathers' career, research has been a consistent area of interest. He has published over 160 journal articles and abstracts and has given more than 110 presentations at national and international medical conferences. He attributes his commitment to research to "a personal interest in science. I like trying to understand the world and I believe in the process of scientific investigation. I feel privileged to have investigated many eye conditions." His colleagues have recognized his contributions, and Dr. Mathers was President of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO). He also served on the editorial board for two journals: the CLAO Journal and Cornea. In addition, he has been part of the FDA Joint Council on Contact Lens Compliance and the CLAO's Industrial Standards Committee. He is the founder and CEO of Genefac Corporation, a startup biotech company focusing on cancer research.

Despite the demands of his profession, Dr. Mathers makes time to travel with his wife, Estelle. They both enjoy outdoor activities, particularly hiking and exploring, and are thrilled to enjoy these pursuits in Oregon."We have lived all over the country, but we think the Northwest represents the finest America has to offer. We are delighted to be back here."

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