As a trained ophthalmologist, R. Wayne Bowman, M.D., has stared into the eyes of thousands of patients – from infants to the elderly. But one of the most memorable was Timbo, a gorilla at the Dallas Zoo.

Using lens implants and equipment designed for a baby’s eyes under anesthesia, Dr. Bowman performed cataract surgery on the 47-year-old gorilla. The 2009 procedure was only the second surgery of its kind, and Dr. Bowman, who had more than 25 years of ophthalmology experience, was aware of the risks if she woke up during the procedure. But examining the gorilla post-surgery turned out to be even more challenging.

“I violated gorilla etiquette by trying to look her straight in the eyes,” says Dr. Bowman, Professor of Ophthalmology. “But she did well and lived about three years after surgery with improved eyesight.”

While performing surgery on a gorilla was unique, Dr. Bowman says his 45-year career with UT Southwestern has been filled with many rewarding experiences. He joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology in 1984 and, through the years, has treated patients at UTSW as well as Children’s Medical Center Dallas, Parkland Memorial Hospital, and Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“I see people whom I cared for as infants at Children’s Hospital who are 40 years old now,” he says.

Being on the UTSW faculty has allowed him to be at the forefront of the field, he says. He helped bring modern cataract surgery to Parkland and was one of the first surgeons in the nation to gain experience in LASIK when the procedure was initially being tested by the Food and Drug Administration.

Dr. Bowman is a pioneer in his field and an early adopter of surgical advances nationally. He was the first at UTSW to perform the small-incision surgery, implantation of foldable intraocular lenses, the one-stitch and no-stitch surgeries, and the topical anesthetic surgery. He also did the first astigmatism correcting implants procedure, the first multifocal implants, and the first laser-assisted cataract surgery. In addition, he was the first person at UT Southwestern to perform radial keratotomy for nearsightedness and astigmatism.

Being at UTSW has allowed him to be at the leading edge of the rapidly evolving field of ophthalmology and pass innovative skills to fellows and residents, he says.

“I was blessed to be practicing at a unique time and place,” Dr. Bowman says. “Ophthalmology is one of the best fields and there have been such amazing advances during my tenure. The ability to preserve and restore vision for patients is truly a blessing and an honor.”

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