Brian Hafler, MD, PhD

Brian Hafler, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of complex retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and stem cell regeneration.

In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Hafler is committed to advancing the field of ophthalmology through research using advanced techniques to study how inflammation and other factors contribute to retinal degeneration. The goal of his research is to find new treatments that can prevent vision loss and improve outcomes for patients with retinal diseases. He is an assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual science at Yale School of Medicine.

Dr. Hafler received his medical and doctorate degrees from Harvard Medical School. He completed his internship at Yale New Haven Hospital, and a fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Dr. Hafler has received numerous awards, including a prestigious Cushing Foundation Award for excellence and creativity in scientific research, which supports his work on understanding the molecular mechanisms of age-related macular degeneration. He recently received the American Society for Clinical Investigation Young Physician Scientist Award, the Thome Memorial Foundation Award for AMD Research, and was named the William R. Orthwein, Jr. ’38 Yale Scholar.