does anyone know of programs or individuals who are able to successfully pull off primarily basic science research careers as ophthalmologists?

There's Ed Stone at Iowa.

My good friend has this setup from a university eye program. (sorry, I don't think she'd want to be identified on an internet message board) One problem is that they keep trying to push more clinical work on her because her department is understaffed. Plus, since she is usually basically available (since research is time-consuming but not necessarily at any one time) she is the attending residents ask for favors (staffing cases, etc.)