In a career spanning over four decades, Dr. Howard Gimbel, physician, innovator, author, and honored guest speaker, has received dozens of awards and distinctions in the field of ophthalmology.  Credited with introducing outpatient eye surgery to Canada, he was also the first surgeon in the country to use an ultrasonic probe to remove cataracts. While developing new techniques in cataract surgery, he became interested in refractive surgery, bringing the original radial keratotomy procedure to Alberta.  In addition, the Gimbel Eye Centre was the site of the first photorefractive keratoyomy (PRK) laser eye surgery in Canada.

Graduating from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1960, he completed his ophthalmology residency at White Memorial Medical Center, and later along with his wife, Judy, completed his MPH with an emphasis in nutrition.  Together they built the renowned Gimbel Eye Centre and founded the Gimbel Eye Foundation, established in 1984 to enhance the level of patient care in Canada and around the world.

Dr. Gimbel has been invited to speak at numerous universities and medical centers in the U.S. and abroad, including Harvard, Tufts, Duke, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, and the Mayo and Cleveland Clinics, and holds academic appointments including Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Loma Linda University.  In 2009, Dr. Gimbel was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Opthalmological Society.  Despite his many accomplishments, Dr. Gimbel derives the deepest satisfaction from improving the quality of his patients' lives and from teaching.  "Helping individual patients and teaching other doctors so they can help their own patients is the greatest satisfaction I can imagine."

The Gimbels brought their commitment to principles of good health to patients and staff of the Eye Centre.  Ahead of their time, they observed dramatic improvements among patients adopting healthier lifestyles - noting, for example, resolution of early stage macular degeneration, with general improved health of the retina and eye.  A number of studies have since shown protective benefits of the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in macular degeneration, confirming Dr. Gimbel’s early observations and recommendation to regularly eat fruits and vegetables with deep intense colors. 

Along with their partner, Reuben Lorenson, DrPH, the Gimbels developed extensive health education resources including lifestyle assessments, counseling and classes, with health education materials on nutrition, activity, cholesterol and stress reduction.  Their booklet, Preventive Eye Health: Preserving Your Vision through a Healthy Lifestyle, offers lifestyle recommendations such as:

•      Eat nutrient-rich foods: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables, and protein-rich foods including legumes and nuts

           •       Exercise regularly

           •       Limit saturated and trans fats; consume essential fatty acids

           •       Wear sunglasses

           •       Avoid tobacco and other substances that adversely affect eye health

Physicians at the Gimbel Eye Centre share the common vision of helping patients achieve significant improvements in both eyesight and lifestyle.  Patients receive valuable information on the relationship of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol to eye health, and learn about powerful protective factors in the development of cataracts and macular degeneration.  Eye Centre materials offer encouragement and inspiration: “By following these recommendations, you’ll have a much greater chance of seeing clearly now and into the future.”  The materials urge patients toward positive lifestyle changes and to view change as “an adventure with multiple health benefits that may enhance the quality of your vision and your whole life.”  As patients of the Eye Centre move toward healthier lifestyles, many report improvements in overall well-being, such as relief from severe arthritis pain, with patients themselves becoming advocates for lifestyle change. 

Maintaining a busy teaching and clinical schedule, the Gimbels divide their time between Alberta, Canada and Loma Linda, California, where Dr. Gimbel teaches ophthalmic surgery and is working with others on campus to develop ophthalmic training courses that include principles of Lifestyle Medicine.  And based on their understanding of the impact of nutrition on eye health, Dr. and Mrs. Gimbel brought their expertise to the designers of the most recent version of the long-running Adventist Health Study, which now includes two questions about eye conditions: one on cataracts, the other on macular degeneration.

Dr. Gimbel notes that research continues to confirm what he learned in his college Health Principles class over forty years ago. “I’ve witnessed many research reports over the past forty years that confirm the basics of a healthy lifestyle: good nutrition, adequate regular exercise, adequate good water, a bit of sunshine every day, moderation in everything, lots of fresh air, adequate rest each day, and trust in God.”  He maintains that these simple recommendations not only can bring about improved health, but may also be the most effective way to reduce escalating health care costs.

Judy Gimbel offers the following advice to physicians practicing Lifestyle Medicine: "Practice what you preach.  The world is running at such a dangerous speed.  You do need to take time off, which for a physician is so hard, but so important that you take care of yourself."  She also emphasizes continual learning.  "Lifestyle Medicine is becoming quite advanced and there is so much to learn."

The Gimbels exemplify the core values that serve as the basis for their Eye Centre and Foundation: integrity, honesty, quality, and authenticity.  They've brought these values into their vision of helping patients improve both their eyesight and lifestyle, bringing better health and enhanced quality of life to countless patients.  They've also clearly shown that Lifestyle Medicine can fit exceptionally well within the various branches of medicine.

Read more on the Gimbel Eye Centre and Gimbel Eye Foundation: http://www.gimbeleyecentre.com/