■ A giant figure in glaucoma, Alan Crandall, MD, founder of the John A. Moran Eye Center of University of Utah Health in Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away October 2 after a sudden illness. Dr. Crandall dedicated nearly 40 years to improving the lives of patients in Utah and across the globe.

Dr. Crandall was well known among glaucoma specialists as an expert in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma and cataract, as well as complicated anterior-segment surgery. He invented several surgical techniques and was involved in many clinical research studies that led to better surgical outcomes and improved care. He was recognized repeatedly as among the most influential people in the ophthalmic industry. He often lectured and trained internationally.

“Dr. Crandall was a brilliant, caring surgeon who dedicated his many talents to helping others in Utah and around the world,” said Randall J. Olson, MD, CEO of the Moran Eye Center, in a eulogy published on the Moran Eye Center website. “[He] worked tirelessly to save vision by increasing access to eye care in developing countries and helping those who could not afford care in his own community.” Dr. Olson added that Dr. Crandall trained hundreds of surgeons around the world and performed many free surgeries to restore sight in Utah, on the Navajo Nation, and in more than 20 countries.

“My heart aches with the loss of an ophthalmology legend and my dear friend Dr. Alan Crandall,” said Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD, of Oklahoma Eye Surgeons in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “When I first met him, many years ago, I wanted to learn as much from him as I could. After a long day of meetings, I tried to ask him all kinds of questions about his journey as a surgical educator, innovator, and humanitarian standard bearer. In typical Alan fashion, he spent most of our time together wanting to talk about me. He spoke to me as if I were so important, I must have already won the Nobel Prize. The source of his perpetual energy and power was the joy imputed to him through serving others, whether it was as a teacher, surgeon, family man, philanthropist, or friend. He lit up every room and always gave more than he took. He was kind, generous, humble, and an inspiration to everyone blessed enough to meet him.”

Editor’s note: Submit comments in memoriam of Dr. Crandall to jennifer.ford@pentavisionmedia.com for inclusion below.