Dr. Mark Hillen

Dr. Mark Hillen is a Director of Communications.
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Dr. Mark Hillen, PhD

Director of Communications, ELZA Institute

Profile

Dr. Mark Hillen is a globally recognized ophthalmology communications expert, currently ranked #5 worldwide in corneal cross-linking (CXL) by Expertscape. He is a co-author of the II Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases and former Editor-in-Chief of The Ophthalmologist. With a PhD in Neuroscience (Wellcome Trust Scholar) and a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology, Dr. Hillen combines scientific depth with extensive experience in medical communications, publication strategy, and lifecycle planning.

Studies and Qualification

  • PhD in Developmental Neurobiology, University of Edinburgh (Wellcome Trust 4-year Prize Scholarship)
  • BSc (Hons) Pharmacology, University of Glasgow

Career History

Director of Communications (2018–Present)

At ELZA Institute, EMAGine AG, and Light for Sight in Zurich, Dr. Hillen leads scientific communications and media strategy across clinical and research ophthalmology. His responsibilities include:

  • Ensuring the scientific and medical accuracy of all published content
  • Developing publication strategies and managing scientific congress contributions
  • Directing global launch communications for EMAGine’s C-Eye CXL device
  • Co-organising refractive surgery training initiatives and the KCXL Experts’ Meeting
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams in regulatory, medical affairs, and commercial

Editor-in-Chief, The Ophthalmologist (2013–2018)

Dr. Hillen launched and led two successful ophthalmology publications in print and online. Under his editorial direction:

  • Introduced a creative, educational, and highly readable approach to ophthalmic publishing
  • Built a strong KOL network of ophthalmologists, researchers, and industry partners
  • Oversaw high-impact commercial content under ABPI standards, including ad boards, symposia, and webinars
  • Expanded the magazine into the North American market
  • Appointed to the ARVO Science Communication Faculty (2017)

Medical Writer & Communications Consultant (2008–2013)

Earlier in his career and through consultancy, Dr. Hillen has:

  • Developed manuscripts for Phase I–III clinical programs, including Bayer/Janssen’s Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
  • Authored congress presentations, symposia, competitor intelligence reports, and messaging analyses
  • Serves as Editor-at-Large and columnist for Media MICE titles (PIE, CAKE)

Skills

  • Media relations
  • Medical communications
  • Guidelines development
  • Event management
  • Product launch strategy
  • KOL engagement

Role at ELZA

As part of ELZA’s leadership team, Dr. Hillen shapes how the Institute’s research and clinical advances are communicated to audiences ranging from patients to peers. He ensures accuracy across formats—journal articles, patient leaflets, press releases—and helps translate complex science into clear, relevant, and trustworthy insights. His work amplifies the impact of ELZA’s life-changing research and patient care on a global stage.

Bibliography

  1. Hafezi NL, Aydemir ME, Lu NJ, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Koppen C. Corneal enzymatic digestion resistance in the presence of oestradiol and oestradiol plus selective tissue oestrogenic activity regulators (STEAR). BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2025;10(1):e002208. doi:10.1136/bmjophth-2025-002208
  2. Aydemir ME, Hafezi NL, Lu NJ, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Koppen C, Hafezi F. Corneal resistance to enzymatic digestion after rose bengal and combined rose bengal/riboflavin cross-linking is oxygen independent. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2025;14(3):1. doi:10.1167/tvst.14.3.1
  3. Hafezi F, Messerli J, Torres-Netto EA, Lu NJ, Aydemir ME, Hafezi NL, Hillen M. Same-session dual chromophore riboflavin/UV-A and rose bengal/green light PACK-CXL in Acanthamoeba keratitis: a case report. Eye Vis (Lond). 2025;12(1):2. doi:10.1186/s40662-024-00420-2
  4. Hafezi F, Kling S, Hafezi NL, et al. Corneal cross-linking. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2025;104:101322. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101322
  5. Kollros L, Torres-Netto EA, Lu NJ, Hillen M, Hafezi F. Visual rehabilitation with mini scleral contact lenses in scarred corneas. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2024;47(8):104235. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2024.104235
  6. Hafezi NL, Aydemir ME, Lu NJ, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Koppen C. The resistance of riboflavin/UV-A corneal cross-linking to enzymatic digestion is oxygen-independent. Cornea. 2024;43(7):895-898. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000003502
  7. Aydemir ME, Hafezi NL, Lu NJ, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Koppen C, Hafezi F. Combining riboflavin/UV-A light and rose bengal/green light corneal cross-linking increases the resistance of corneal enzymatic digestion. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2024;13(1):30. doi:10.1167/tvst.13.1.30
  8. Hafezi F, Torres-Netto EA, Kollros L, et al. Correction: Rates of infectious keratitis and other ocular surface adverse events in corneal cross-linking for keratoconus and corneal ectasias performed in an office-based setting. Eye Vis (Lond). 2023;10(1):41. doi:10.1186/s40662-023-00360-3
  9. Lu NJ, Koliwer-Brandl H, Hillen M, Egli A, Hafezi F. High-fluence accelerated PACK-CXL for bacterial keratitis using riboflavin/UV-A or rose bengal/green in the ex vivo porcine cornea. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2023;12(9):14. doi:10.1167/tvst.12.9.14
  10. Hafezi F, Torres-Netto EA, Kollros L, et al. Rates of infectious keratitis and other ocular surface adverse events in corneal cross-linking for keratoconus and corneal ectasias performed in an office-based setting: a retrospective cohort study. Eye Vis (Lond). 2023;10(1):36. doi:10.1186/s40662-023-00354-1
  11. Torres-Netto EA, Abdshahzadeh H, Lu NJ, et al. Corneal crosslinking with riboflavin using sunlight. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023;49(10):1049-1055. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000001241
  12. Hafezi F, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M. Expanding indications for corneal cross-linking. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2023;34(4):339-347. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000967
  13. Kollros L, Lu N, Hillen M, Torres-Netto EA, Hafezi F. Scleral contact lenses fitted to extremely steep corneas. J Fr Ophtalmol. 2023;46(2):e70-e74. doi:10.1016/j.jfo.2022.08.011
  14. Kollros L, Torres-Netto EA, Rodriguez-Villalobos C, et al. Progressive keratoconus in patients older than 48 years. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2023;46(2):101792. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2022.101792
  15. Torres-Netto EA, Abdshahzadeh H, Abrishamchi R, et al. Reply: Ex vivo eye rubbing evidence. J Refract Surg. 2022;38(11):752-753. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20221027-02
  16. Hafezi F, Lu NJ, Assaf JF, et al. Demarcation line depth in epithelium-off corneal cross-linking performed at the slit lamp. J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5873. doi:10.3390/jcm11195873
  17. Abdshahzadeh H, Abrishamchi R, Aydemir ME, et al. Repeated application of riboflavin during corneal cross-linking does not improve the biomechanical stiffening effect ex vivo. Exp Eye Res. 2022;224:109267. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2022.109267
  18. Torres-Netto EA, Abdshahzadeh H, Abrishamchi R, et al. The impact of repetitive and prolonged eye rubbing on corneal biomechanics. J Refract Surg. 2022;38(9):610-616. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20220715-03
  19. Hafezi F, Hillen M, Kollros L, Tan J, Awwad ST. A new postoperative regimen after CXL and PRK using topical NSAID and steroids on the open ocular surface. J Clin Med. 2022;11(14):4109. doi:10.3390/jcm11144109
  20. Hafezi F, Munzinger A, Goldblum D, Hillen M, Tandogan T. Repeated high-fluence accelerated slitlamp-based PACK-CXL for treatment-resistant fungal keratitis. Cornea. 2022;41(8):1058-1061. doi:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002973
  21. Lu NJ, Elsheikh A, Rozema JJ, et al. Combining spectral-domain OCT and air-puff tonometry analysis to diagnose keratoconus. J Refract Surg. 2022;38(6):374-380. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20220414-02
  22. Lu NJ, Hafezi F, Rozema JJ, et al. Repeatability of a Scheimpflug tonometer to measure biomechanical parameters before and after myopic refractive surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022;48(9):1057-1062. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000909
  23. Abrishamchi R, Abdshahzadeh H, Hillen M, et al. High-fluence accelerated epithelium-off corneal cross-linking protocol provides Dresden protocol-like corneal strengthening. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2021;10(5):10. doi:10.1167/tvst.10.5.10
  24. Hafezi F, Richoz O, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Hafezi N. Reply: Corneal cross-linking at the slit lamp: concern about risk of corneal ulcer. J Refract Surg. 2021;37(8):572-573. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20210615-02
  25. Hafezi F, Kling S, Gilardoni F, et al. Reply to comment on: individualized corneal cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A in ultrathin corneas: the Sub400 protocol. Am J Ophthalmol. 2022;233:243-245. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2021.06.023
  26. Hafezi F, Richoz O, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen M, Hafezi NL. Corneal cross-linking at the slit lamp. J Refract Surg. 2021;37(2):78-82. doi:10.3928/1081597X-20201123-02
  27. Abdshahzadeh H, Abrishamchi R, Torres-Netto EA, et al. Impact of hypothermia on the biomechanical effect of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking. Eye Vis (Lond). 2021;8(1):4. doi:10.1186/s40662-021-00229-3
  28. Hafezi F, Kling S, Gilardoni F, et al. Individualized corneal cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A in ultrathin corneas: the Sub400 protocol. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021;224:133-142. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2020.12.011
  29. Hafezi F, Torres-Netto EA, Hillen MJP. Re: Prajna et al. Cross-linking-assisted infection reduction: a randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of adjuvant cross-linking on outcomes in fungal keratitis. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(1):e6. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.07.011
  30. Hafezi F, Hafezi NL, Pajic B, et al. Assessment of the mechanical forces applied during eye rubbing. BMC Ophthalmol. 2020;20(1):301. doi:10.1186/s12886-020-01551-5
  31. Nelli S, Hillen M, Buyukafsar K, Martin W. Oxidation of nitroxyl anion to nitric oxide by copper ions. Br J Pharmacol. 2000;131(2):356-362. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0703550
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