“It is seldom that I have enjoyed reading a book on optics. This book I enjoyed . . . The author is enthusiastic about his subject while remaining chatty, informal, informative and open. Opinions are clearly and informatively expressed and are practical and useful . . . Chapter 3 and 8 are gems that are worth the price of the book; 3 for information, 8 for demystification. Essential reading for all ophthalmologists, this book can be read for fun (and erudition) even by those not involved in refractive surgery.” — Robert C. Drews, MD, FACs, FRCOphth, Ocular Surgery New
Jack T. Holladay, MD, MSEE, FACS was born on October 13, 1946, while his parents were stationed at Olathe Naval Base near Kansas City, Kansas. His father went to work for Ford Motor Company and typical of many families ascending the corporate ladder, the numerous relocations meant he attended 12 schools between kindergarten and high school. In 1961, the family moved to Dallas, Texas, where Dr. Holladay began his sophomore year at South Oak Cliff High School. In 1964, Dr. Holladay graduated from South Oak Cliff High School, receiving an academic and music scholarship for tuition and room at Southern Methodist University. He chose electrical engineering as his major and played solo trumpet with the Mustang Band along with Harry James, Jr. He worked in the student cafeteria for his meals, giving him the opportunity to meet many students. These many friends were instrumental in his successful campaigns for head cheerleader during his junior and senior years. In 1969, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and was awarded a scholarship to graduate school. His work in the master’s program was primarily in computer science, where he developed software for the onboard aircraft computers to defeat Soviet radar systems. He also designed night vision optical devices using early IBM programs, which represented his first exposure to the field of optics. In 1971, Dr. Holladay received his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University and started course work toward a doctorate. Attending classes at Southwestern Medical School was part of the biomedical engineering program, and this fostered an interest in the medical applications of his engineering background. As his interest grew, he decided to attend medical school. Dr. Holladay was accepted in the first on-campus class of 32 members at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston in 1971. In 1974, he received his Doctorate of Medicine, followed by a year of research developing instrumentation for measuring the electrical charge of the eye. He then began his residency in ophthalmology in 1975 at Hermann Hospital, the teaching hospital for The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He completed his residency in ophthalmology in 1978 and was invited to join The University of Texas Medical School faculty. In addition to his teaching responsibilities and private practice, Dr. Holladay has invented the Brightness Acuity Tester, an instrument that is used by ophthalmologists all over the world to test the effects of glare on patients’ vision. He has also developed the Holladay “IOL Consultant” and “Refractive Surgery Consultant” software programs, which are currently used worldwide by ophthalmologists to help restore patients’ vision following cataract removal and to obtain the best results following refractive surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK]). Dr. Holladay specializes in refractive surgery, which includes LASIK-laser vision correction, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and conductive keratoplasty (CK). He is very active in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, serving as past Chairman of the Committee on Low Vision; Committee on Optics, Refraction and Contact Lenses; Ethics Committee; and the Committee for Ophthalmic Technology Development. Because of his service to the academy and his teaching contributions at the annual meeting, he received the Honor Award in 1985 and the Senior Honor Award in 1995, which is awarded to only 25 ophthalmologists a year. He has written over 96 scientific articles and 30 book chapters, authored or edited 5 books, and made several hundred scientific presentations. Dr. Holladay has been a visiting professor at many of the major ophthalmology programs internationally. In 1986, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration for his service on the Ophthalmic Device Panel. He has received the “Most Outstanding Lecturer in Ophthalmology” award from his medical students numerous times. In 1991, he was named the A. G. McNeese, Jr. Professor of Ophthalmology and was the second person to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston. In 1992, he received the Binkhorst Medal Award from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, which is given to one ophthalmologist each year. In 1995, he was honored with the Ridley Award from the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, which is given to only one ophthalmologist every 2 years. In 2001, he was the first recipient of the John Pearse Memorial Award from the United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS). He was acknowledged in 2002-2004 as one of the “Best Doctors in America” and has been recognized as one of the “Top Doctors in Houston” by Inside Houston Magazine. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and member of the Board for the International Society of Refractive Surgery of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and a Board of Director for the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance. He received the Barraquer Medal in 2005 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ISRS/AAO in 2006. Although Dr. Holladay’s professional activities are many, he still devotes a significant amount of time to the community and his family. He has served as a member of the Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, and Board of Trustees for the Bellaire United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Lion’s Eye Bank for 20 years. He is also very proud of coaching and managing in Little League Baseball and in the Houston Youth Soccer Association from 1980 to 1992. In 1988, his son Taylor's baseball team won the Major League Championship, and he managed and coached the All-Star team, which placed second in the area play-offs that year. In 1989, he helped coach his son's soccer team to the Houston City Championship for 13-year-old boys. He was President of the Bellaire High School Baseball Booster Club in 1994, when his son’s team won the coveted State 5A Baseball Championship. Taylor received a baseball scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin. In 2000, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Houston Baptist University with honors. In July 2001, he graduated from the London School of Economics where he earned a Graduate degree in Business with honors. Taylor was inducted into the Bellaire Baseball Hall of Fame in January 2000. In April 2002, Taylor married Kimberly Bullen and they reside in Houston. After working as a senior analyst at Frost Bank for 2 years, he attended and graduated from the Rice University MBA program in May 2006. He is now employed for Nesbitt Corporation as an associate in investment banking. In 1990, his daughter Courtney’s softball team won the 12-year-old girls Major League Championship. Dr. Holladay managed and coached the All-Star team, which went on to win the District 16 Championship. In 1996, his daughter graduated from Bellaire High School as a four-year letter athlete and captain of the varsity soccer team that won the District 5A Championship for 4 years. She was also elected treasurer of the Bellaire High School Booster Club. Courtney graduated from Texas A & M University in May 2000 with honors. She received her Master’s degree in I/O Psychology in May 2002 and her PhD in May 2004 from Rice University and is now working at M.D. Anderson Hospital. In September 2006, Courtney married Mark Strong and they also live in Houston. Dr. Holladay strives for excellence in everything he does, but realizes that his greatest sources of happiness are his wife (Sharon), son (Taylor), daughter (Courtney), and their health, which are blessings for which he is most grateful.
