Paolo Antonio Silva, MD
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Academic Faculty, Clinical Provider, Researcher
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Adult Diabetes, Eye Care
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Vascular Cell Biology
Ophthalmologist and Co-Chief of Telemedicine, Beetham Eye Institute
Investigator, Joslin Diabetes Center
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Silva's primary expertise lies in the fields of ocular telehealth for diabetic retinopathy, ultrawide field (UWF) retinal imaging and electronic medical record review. As Co-Chief of Telemedicine, Dr. Silva directs efforts of the Joslin Vision Network (JVN) in Boston, provides support to over 90 clinical sites through the Indian Health Service and develops collaborative efforts with both industry and clinical programs internationally. Outcomes data derived from the JVN have led to key publications describing novel approaches to telemedicine and better understanding of telemedicine outcomes. These contributions include elucidating the role of image evaluation at the time of telemedicine imaging and the evaluation of various automated and low light imaging systems.
Since 2012, Dr. Silva has served as Associate Retina Fellowship Program Director at Joslin. He has mentored over 24 retina fellows, researchers, visiting scholars and medical students for various countries. He serves as Faculty in the HMS Patient-Doctor II course at Harvard Medical School and an examiner at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Philippines. He has been selected as one of the best mentors in 2016 at The Medical City and the Ateneo School of Medicine. He has conducted multiple instructional courses on ocular telehealth at national and international meetings.
His administrative emphasis has been on fostering greater clinical innovation and the development of infrastructure that will facilitate and nurture such innovation. Dr. Silva is actively involved in the Electronic Medical Record Development at Joslin and at The Medical City in the Philippines. The program at the Medical City was awarded recognition for Innovations in Healthcare IT during the Asian Hospital Management Awards 2014.
Dr. Silva’s research centers on diabetic retinopathy, with a particular focus on the use of ultrawide field retinal imaging to better understand disease distribution, severity, and progression. His work has demonstrated the importance of peripheral retinal lesions as predictors of disease worsening and has contributed to refining risk stratification models beyond traditional ETDRS-based assessments.
More recently, his research has expanded into the use of artificial intelligence and automated machine learning to enhance screening and prognostication of diabetic eye disease. He is particularly interested in developing scalable, cost-effective technologies that can bridge gaps in care in low-resource settings. His broader vision integrates imaging, systemic health data, and social determinants of health to enable predictive, personalized, and equitable eye care.
College: University of the Philippines, Manila, 1997
Medical School: University of the Philippines, Manila, 2002
Internship: Philippine General Hospital, 2001-2002
Residency: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital, 2003-2006
Fellowship: Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, 2007-2009
- Outstanding Young Scientist in Ophthalmology – National Academy of Science and Technology
- Presidential Award for Filipinos Overseas – Office of the President of the Philippines
- The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) – Medicine – JCI Philippines
- Romeo B. Espiritu Memorial Award Lecture – Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines
- Google Research Innovator – Google
- Achievement Award – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- International Ophthalmologist Education Award – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- International Scholar Award – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Outstanding Researcher Award – University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society
- Young Clinician Award – Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology, Harvard Medical School
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