Janey L Wiggs, MD, PhD

Dr. Janey Wiggs is a clinician scientist specializing in the genetics of glaucoma with particular interest in complex and advanced glaucoma, and inherited ocular disorders. She directs the CLIA-certified clinical diagnostic laboratory where patients are tested for mutations in genes that can cause inherited retinal disorders, early-onset glaucoma or primary optic neuropathy. She also is the Associate Director of the Howe Laboratory and Associate Chief for Clinical Research at Mass. Eye and Ear. Among her leadership roles in Harvard Ophthalmology, she serves as Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Co-Director of the Glaucoma Center of Excellence, and leader of the Genetic Diagnostics Section of the Ocular Genomics Institute.

Dr. Wiggs attended Harvard Medical School (HMS), and completed her residency in the Harvard Ophthalmology Residency Training Program. She then completed fellowships in Glaucoma and Medical Genetics at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Tufts University School of Medicine, respectively. She is board-certified in both Ophthalmology and Medical Genetics.

Using a uniquely collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Wiggs aims to identify genetic factors that underlie various forms of glaucoma, including adult onset primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, juvenile open angle glaucoma, and others. Her research, which has been continuously funded by the National Eye Institute for over 20 years, has provided critical information regarding the biology of the disease. Ongoing studies may greatly improve current methods of diagnosis, and lead to more effective and specific therapies.

Dr. Wiggs lectures nationally and internationally and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Alcon Research Institute award, the Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award from Research to Prevent Blindness and is a member of the American Ophthalmological Society. She instructs residents, fellows, and medical students in the Glaucoma Service at Mass. Eye and Ear. Because glaucoma is a chronic disease, a major emphasis of her teaching is in the early detection and long-term management of glaucoma as a means of preventing ultimate blindness from the disease. She has also organized two, full-day symposium addressing specific issues of human inherited ocular disease.

Clinical Interests

Complex and advanced glaucoma, inherited ocular disorders