Velma Dobson, an internationally known expert in vision development, died Friday after complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Dobson had been a professor of ophthalmology and vision science and a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona since 1994.
She helped develop a test to measure an infant's visual acuity. It allowed ophthalmologists to determine that treatments for a visual disorder in premature babies were effective and to prove that lecithin, an additive in baby formula, results in better visual development.
Dobson was central in a partnership between the UA and the Tohono O'odham Nation for research on how astigmatism affects visual development and on the effectiveness of treatment for lazy eye.
She remained productive until the time of her death, despite her need for ventilator support during the last two years. Included were a study last year about preschool glasses reducing lazy eye in school-age children, a UA announcement said.
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She received numerous honors in her field.
Dobson is survived by her husband, Patrick Burke, a child psychiatrist and former UA faculty member; a son, Andrew Burke, a graduate of the UA College of Medicine; and a daughter, Meg Burke, a Ph.D. candidate in math education at Arizona State University.
A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Thursday at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road.
