The University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is proud to share that H. Culver Boldt, MD, has been named the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award from the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).

The Crystal Apple Award recognizes an ASRS member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing the education and professional development of early-career retina specialists. Dr. Boldt was selected for his longstanding commitment to teaching, mentorship, and leadership within the field of vitreoretinal medicine.

Dr. Boldt serves as the Marion and Frederick Fuerste Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa and holds several key leadership roles, including director of the Ocular Echography Service and co-director of the Ocular Oncology Service. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has mentored more than 80 retina fellows and led the university’s vitreoretinal fellowship program for more than two decades. 

A fellowship-trained specialist in surgical retina, medical retina, and ophthalmic echography, Dr. Boldt has made significant contributions to both patient care and research. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and participated in numerous clinical trials focused on retinal disease and ocular oncology. His excellence as a clinician has also been recognized locally—he was named Clinician of the Year by the University of Iowa College of Medicine, a distinction rarely awarded to ophthalmologists. 

In addition to receiving the award, Dr. Boldt will deliver a distinguished lecture at the ASRS Early Career Section Annual Meeting luncheon, further sharing his expertise and insights with the next generation of retina specialists. 

This national recognition highlights Dr. Boldt’s enduring impact on ophthalmology through his dedication to education, mentorship, and advancing the field.