It was the mid-1980s when two young vision scientists found themselves on converging paths that would reshape how the world understands age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disorder of the retina that is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Christine Curcio, Ph.D., had chosen aging as her research focus, and in 1986, she attended the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting to hear Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., speak. “She was talking about vision, aging, and the retina, and no one else was,” Curcio recalled, captivated by Owsley’s seamless blend of public health and behavioral science.
A year later, they had an official meeting of minds. Curcio was completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington, where her groundbreaking work on human photoreceptor topography was on its way to becoming a staple in ophthalmology textbooks In town for a conference, Owsley recognized Curcio's rare anatomical expertise and admired her dedication and precision, calling Curcio “a wonderful and brilliant scientist.” Those early exchanges planted the seeds of a collaboration that now spans nearly four decades.
By the mid-1990s, both had turned their focus to AMD. Curcio discovered that rod photoreceptors are especially vulnerable in aging and disease, while Owsley documented delays in rod-mediated dark adaptation under low light. “That’s when things clicked,” Owsley said. “We brought complementary skills to the table—Christine’s structural expertise and my functional approach. It made us a very strong team.”
Curcio joined the UAB Department of Ophthalmology in 1990 at Owsley’s urging, drawn by the Alabama Eye Bank’s access to human tissue. Their first joint publications appeared in 2000, but the defining project arrived in 2009 with ALSTAR (Alabama Study on Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration). The longitudinal study tracked patients’ retinal structure and function over three years. Weekly meetings with clear agendas, meeting notes, and project timelines kept their work moving forward. “We’re both very honest,” Owsley said. “Sometimes that means we disagree, but it always makes for better science.”
One of their most significant breakthroughs emerged from ALSTAR and its successor, ALSTAR2. The duo demonstrated that delayed rod-mediated dark adaptation (RMDA) is the first functional biomarker of early AMD. By linking RMDA changes to structural alterations in the fovea area of the retina and common genetic risk factors, they established a model for early intervention. “We developed a pathophysiology model that united the fovea’s biology with drusen deposits,” Curcio explained. “Mice and isolated cells do not have a fovea. Our collaboration made this human model possible.”
Mentorship has been another hallmark of their partnership. Curcio and Owsley emphasize generosity with ideas and tolerance for independent thinking. “Learn from your staff and fellows,” Curcio advised. Their loyal teams provide institutional continuity that spans career stages.
In 2024, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology awarded them the Proctor Medal, the highest honor in vision science research. For Owsley, the honor represented the pinnacle of rigorous, impactful science she never expected. Curcio treasured the moment for the opportunity to reach a mixed audience in Salt Lake City. “Getting the word out to people who will act is as important as gettingthe data,” she said.
To young scientists, they offer a simple but hard-earned lesson: launch collaborations early and build them with structure. “Multidisciplinary science is the way to go,” Curcio said. “Go fast alone, go far together.” Owsley sums up their shared credo: “You can’t know everything; collaboration is the way to solve a scientific problem.”
Reflecting on nearly four decades of joint work, both hope their partnership will be remembered for changing our understanding of the aging-to-AMD transition and for forging a path toward treatments that stop vision loss before it begins.