Training Programs that Generate Leaders
Trainees benefit from strong mentorship and exposure to all subspecialties.

Our Research:
Bold and Broad
One of the nation’s largest ophthalmology & visual sciences research faculty drives innovation across the field through a highly multidisciplinary approach.
Sub-specialty and comprehensive care
for a diverse population
9,000+ procedures a year
11,000+ surgeries a year
165,000+ patient visits a year
Nationally ranked hospital partners:
Innovative Clinical Trials for Advanced Eye Care
Driving progress in vision science with groundbreaking research studies.

Latest News
WashU Medicine Ophthalmology Faculty Named Castle Connolly Top Doctors for 2025
ST. LOUIS, MO — June 9, 2025 — We are proud to announce that 21 physicians from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine have been recognized as 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors! This prestigious distinction is awarded to physicians who are nominated by their peers and rigorously vetted […]
St. Louis LASIK Expert: Dr. Wexler Compares LASIK vs. Contact Lenses
If you’re tired of the hassle of contact lenses and want the freedom to see clearly from the moment you wake up, you’re not alone. In this video, St. Louis LASIK surgeon Dr. Stephen Wexler explains why LASIK may be a safer, more convenient long-term solution for many patients. Watch: Dr. Stephen Wexler Discusses the […]
Apte honored for contributions to vision science (Links to an external site)
Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor and vice chair of innovation and translation in the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has received the 2025 Retina Research Foundation’s Gertrude D. Pyron Award. The honor recognizes a vision scientist whose work […]
WashU Medicine Celebrates the Winners of the 2025 Winston Fellow Competition
St. Louis, MO — May 30, 2025 — The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Winston Fellow Competition. This annual event showcases outstanding research contributions from postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients. Winners […]
2025 Faculty vs. Residents Kickball Showdown
On Saturday morning, our faculty and residents traded scrubs for sneakers and gathered at Tower Grove Park for a kickball showdown! The annual Faculty vs. Residents game brought out the competitive spirit in the best way, as colleagues turned teammates battled it out for bragging rights and the championship title. Faculty & Fellows Line-Up Faculty […]