Irving Leopold, Ex-Researcher at UCI, Dies

Dr. Irving H. Leopold, the former chairman of UC Irvine’s Ophthalmology Department and an international authority on the treatment of glaucoma and other eye disorders, died Monday of heart failure at Hoag Hospital. He was 78.

During his career, Dr. Leopold was chairman of the departments of ophthalmology at three medical schools, including Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City; the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; and the College of Medicine at UCI.

He was department chairman at UCI from 1975 until he retired in 1984.

Dr. Leopold was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also received his medical degree.

In addition to his work in higher education, Dr. Leopold was employed at Allergan Inc. in Irvine, where he headed the company’s medical affairs division. He retired from Allergan in 1988, but remained as a consultant.

In 1986, an endowed chair in honor of Dr. Leopold was established with the help of a $500,000 contribution from Allergan to the university. The chair serves as a funding mechanism for research and teaching by distinguished scholars.

During World War II, Dr. Leopold worked for the Office of Scientific Research and Development, where he developed ocular therapy for chemical warfare agents.

He was on the editorial boards for several medical journals in ophthalmology and was editor of the Survey of Ophthalmology, an industry publication.

Dr. Leopold had been the recipient of various awards from the Assn. for Research Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Graveside services will be today at 11 a.m. at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice, of Newport Beach; a daughter, Ellen; and a son, John.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to the Irving H. Leopold Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology, UC Irvine, in care of Tina McCraw, Irvine, Calif. 92717.