Meet Eddie Harris, MD

EddieHarris

Meet the Doctor

A warm smile and friendly handshake or hug…… that is how your first and future visit will always start with Dr. Harris. Caring, compassionate and exceptional are some of the words used by patients to describe his demeanor. Dr. Harris is a practicing comprehensive Ophthalmologist who sees children as well as adults. He received his training in ophthalmology at the world renowned Harvard Medical School. Prior to starting his Ophthalmology training, Dr. Harris was selected for a prestigious fellowship at the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Along with his colleagues at the NEI his work led to finding a defective gene termed RPE65 which is responsible for a particular form of human blindness referred to as Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. This led to the first utilization of gene therapy in the human body to treat blindness. In December of 2017 the FDA approved the drug termed Luxturna. This marks the first FDA approved medication in the field of gene therapy that targets a disease caused by mutations in a specific gene. Since this time several patients have undergone treatment with Luxturna and have gone from blindness to sight!

Dr. Harris also completed a fellowship in ocular genetics at the Institute of Ocular Molecular Genetics of Harvard Medical School. While in the lab he studied genetic involvement in Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis and other eye abnormalities. He is one of the few fellowship trained ocular geneticist practicing clinical ophthalmology in the United States. Dr. Harris has been a guest speaker and lectured nationally on several eye topics. In addition to publishing numerous scientific papers, he has received several awards and recognitions for his innovative surgical techniques and outstanding bedside manner. Dr. Harris was the first eye surgeon at South Fulton Tenant Hospital to implant the “premium lens” for cataract surgery; this is the most advanced lens technology implant that affords patients the opportunity to be spectacle free for near and distance vision. One of the hallmarks of how Dr. Harris practices medicine is his emphasis on utilizing the latest technology and surgical advances to provide cutting edge patient care.

He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), International Society of Ocular Genetics (ISOG), Association of Research & Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO), International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) and the American Medical Association (AMA).