Community members, civic leaders, artists and members of the Venable family gathered Saturday, May 16, for the memorial artwork ribbon cutting and grand re-opening of Venable Park in Creve Coeur, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Howard P. Venable. Venable was a pioneering ophthalmologist and the first African American faculty member in the WashU […]
From May 3–7, 2026, researchers and trainees from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine participated in the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Denver, Colorado. As the premier international gathering for eye and vision science, ARVO brings together investigators from around […]
Researchers in the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences have discovered key neuroprotective genes that could lead to the development of gene therapies to treat retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited form of retinal degeneration that causes blindness. The findings, published in Neuron April 9, point to new therapeutic strategies to maintain retinal health and protect against […]
Poonam Naik, PhD has been featured by the National Institutes of Health as part of its MyWHY: Stories Made Possible by NIH Research series, which highlights the personal motivations behind biomedical research careers. A Personal Connection to Vision Loss Naik’s interest in vision science began with early experiences witnessing people close to her struggle with […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences continues its commitment to advancing patient care through education with its annual Spring Update, a premier event designed to share the latest clinical insights and innovations in eye care. This long-standing program brings together faculty, trainees, and community providers to explore new […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences LASIK Surgery Center recently hosted its Spring 2026 LASIK Continuing Education Dinner, bringing together optometrists and ophthalmologists for an evening focused on advancing refractive care. Held April 28, the event featured expert-led discussions on the latest techniques and clinical decision-making in LASIK, […]
Wei Li, PhD, of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has been awarded a prestigious Career Starter Grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation for 2026–2027. This competitive award supports early-career investigators advancing research to better understand and treat vision disorders. Li’s work focuses on the anterior segment—the […]
Research from the WashU Medicine is helping shape national conversations on fall prevention, highlighted in a recent The New York Times feature on a large-scale clinical trial led by Susan Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA. Mae Gordon, PhD, professor at the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, served as co-principal investigator on the […]
Riya Philip, OD, joins the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences with a strong background in primary eye care and ocular disease management. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry, graduating with […]
Faculty and trainees from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences will share their latest discoveries at the upcoming Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, taking place May 3–7. This premier international conference brings together scientists and clinicians focused on preventing, treating, and curing vision […]
Faculty and students from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine made a strong impact at the 2026 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) annual meeting. Their work spanned cutting-edge surgical approaches, better treatment strategies for childhood eye conditions, and innovations in how […]
The Dean’s Impact Awards recognize faculty members whose work reflects meaningful, lasting engagement with the community. WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to announce that Steven M. Couch, MD, FACS, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Dean’s Impact Award. Couch is a highly respected […]
Now accepting applications for the Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway What is the ITVS Pathway? The Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway is a 2-year training program that is layered above traditional PhD programs to continue to combine theory and practice, build professional skills, and expand mentoring opportunities into years 3 and […]
A new study from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by Philip Williams, Ph.D., Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, and graduate student Zelun Wang, offers important insight into how retinal neurons adapt their metabolism to sustain vision and respond to disease. Published in Nature Communications, the research focuses […]
A clinical trial led by Margaret Reynolds, MD, MSCI, from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MDDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences explored whether vision correction surgery could make a meaningful difference, not just in eyesight, but also in behavior and daily life. The trial included 267 children with ASD or ASD-like behaviors and vision problems […]
Department members earn leadership grants, keynote honors, and abstract awards at neuro-ophthalmology annual meeting. The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences was well-represented at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) 2026 Annual Meeting, with a contingent of nine faculty members, residents, and medical students contributing to the scientific program. […]
Shiming Chen, PhD, and her team are developing mechanism-based gene therapies to restore vision. Shiming Chen, PhD, the Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is spearheading research to understand and treat CRX-associated retinopathies. These inheritable blinding diseases are […]
Stephen A. Wexler, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, recently published a study regarding advancements in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The article, titled “Myopic and Astigmatic Laser in situ Keratomileusis Using a Ray Tracing−Based Treatment Algorithm with a Personalized […]
Apply Now for the Winston Fellow Award for Postdoctoral Fellows The Winston Fellow Award Program recognizes outstanding contributions to vision science. Award Selection Please note: We will verify the postdoc job title to confirm eligibility. For questions about eligibility, please contact Jenna Krizan at krizanj@wustl.edu. Submit Your Application Submit an abstract (maximum 250 words) that […]
WashU Medicine Ophthalmology has been ranked No. 3 in the nation in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among ophthalmology departments, according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) rankings. WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences continues to demonstrate national research leadership, securing $22,793,703 in NIH funding […]