Dr. Francesco Pichi

Dr. Francesco Pichi, MD, is an Associate Staff Physician ​in the Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who subspecializes in diseases of the retina, uveitis, ocular inflammations and infections. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Pichi worked at the Cole Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, US.

Dr. Pichi’s experience in both Europe and the US has contributed to his diverse expertise in disease presentations in the fields of retina & uveitis. His clinical and research work has contributed to innovations in the fields of retinal imaging and the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. He was part of the European Study Group that discovered the application of mineralocorticoid receptors antagonists for the oral treatment of central serous chorioretinopathy. He was also a leader in employing a non-invasive new imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography, to assess the status of the iris vessels in patients with vascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and vasculitis.

Dr. Pichi graduated summa cum laude from the Alma Mater Studiorum of the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy and went on to pursue his Ophthalmology residency at the University of Milan in Italy, where he trained in Cataract Surgery. During his training, he developed an interest in the fields of medical retina & uveitis and completed his internship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.

He underwent a preceptorship in Uveitis and Ocular Immunology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, US. He also pursued a two year fellowship at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, US in uveitis, ocular inflammations and infections.

His current research interest is the use of multimodal imaging of the retina in order to understand the etiology of various pathologies and to accurately guide treatment. In the fields of uveitis and ocular inflammation, his efforts are in creating objective ways of measuring inflammation, which would provide a better outcome for patients.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

• 2004 - 2010: ALMA MATER STUDIORUM UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA, BOLOGNA, ITALY. Doctor of Medicine, MD
• 2015 - 2017: CLEVELAND CLINIC, CLEVELAND, OHIO, US. Fellow, Uveitis and Inflammatory Eye Diseases, Cole Eye Institute
• 2011 - 2015: UNIVERSITY OF MILAN, MILAN, ITALY. Resident, San Giuseppe Hospital

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 2013 - 2014: CLEVELAND CLINIC, CLEVELAND, OHIO, US. Researcher, Uveitis and Intraocular inflammations, Cole Eye Institute
• 2012 - 2013: BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MILLER SCHOOL MIAMI, FLORIDA, US. Intern, Uveitis and Inflammatory Eye Diseases
• 2008 - 2009: MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL, LONDON, UK. Intern, Medical Retina

Achievements & Career Highlights

• Received the International Ophthalmology Educational Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2017
• Received the Gold Medal, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2016
• Awarded with the EURETINA Grant, European Retina Society, 2015
• Received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Best Paper Award, 2015
• Received the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology Best Poster Award, 2014
• Awarded the Best Surgical Procedure, Italian Society of Ophthalmology, 2012
• Visiting professor of Ophthalmology at the University Eye Clinic of Milan, Italy
• Delivered more than one hundred presentations at both international and national conferences
• Authored sixty peer-reviewed manuscripts with special expertise in imaging, treatment of retinal diseases and novel drug treatment for ocular inflammations
• Reviewer of more than ten ophthalmic journals including Retina, Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology and European Journal of Ophthalmology
• Lead guest editor for Journal of Ophthalmology and editorial board member of International Ophthalmology
• Served as a consultant in the European Study Group and was responsible for developing new oral treatments for Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
• Created a patent for automated analysis of the vessels of the iris in normal and inflamed eyes, without the need for dye injection