Author: Brianna

WashU Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology Recognized for Clinical Excellence with Dr. Philip Custer’s Prestigious Award 

St. Louis, MO – March 21, 2025 – The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology is honored to celebrate Philip Custer, MD, FACS recipient of the 2025 Dr. Neville Grant Award for Clinical Excellence. This prestigious award recognizes an attending physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital who exemplifies superior clinical care, outstanding compassion, respect […]

March is Save Your Vision Month

March is Save Your Vision Month—a perfect time to focus on maintaining and enhancing our eye health. Our eyes are our windows to the world, and keeping them in top shape is essential. Here are some tips to help you preserve your vision:  1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams  Regular comprehensive eye exams are crucial for […]

Dr. Joseph Steska Selected for Prestigious WashU Medicine Pivotal Leaders Program

St. Louis, MO – March 13, 2025 — WashU Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. Joseph Steska has been selected to participate in the highly-regarded Pivotal Leaders Program for Division Chiefs and Section Heads. This comprehensive, 9-month program is dedicated to enhancing the leadership and management skills of key medical school leaders. Designed specifically […]

What Should I Expect After Getting LASIK? | St. Louis LASIK Guide

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery in St. Louis, you’re probably wondering what the recovery process looks like. The good news? It’s quick and relatively painless! Dr. Stephen Wexler from WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center breaks it down: Immediate Post-LASIK Experience Right after the procedure, expect your vision to be foggy and blurry. You may […]

The Risks of Sleeping in Contact Lenses and Why You Should Consider LASIK

The Risks of Sleeping in Contact Lenses and Why You Should Consider LASIK

For many individuals, contact lenses offering a convenient alternative to glasses, come with significant risks, especially when not used as directed. Sleeping in contact lenses, in particular, can expose you to a variety of eye health risks. There are increased chances of infections, corneal hypoxia, and various other complications associated with this habit. Considering these […]

AMD Awareness Month: Understanding the Impact and How to Support a Loved One 

AMD Awareness Month

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults over 50, yet many people are unaware of its impact until they or a loved one experience symptoms. AMD Awareness Month is the perfect time to shed light on this condition, how it affects daily life, and the ways we […]

Dr. Cynthia Montana Honored with 2025 Dean’s Impact Award for Dedication to Community Engagement

Montana Honored with 2025 Dean’s Impact Award

FEBRUARY 2025 ST. LOUIS, MO — WashU Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. Cynthia Montana has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Dean’s Impact Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to serving the underserved communities of St. Louis and advancing excellence in ophthalmologic care. The Dean’s Impact Awards honor faculty members whose work […]

Kerschensteiner Installed as Bernard Becker Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, esteemed colleagues, students, and distinguished guests gathered to honor Dr. Daniel Kerschensteiner, MD, as he was installed as the Bernard Becker Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. This prestigious professorship recognized Dr. Kerschensteiner’s exceptional contributions to vision science and his dedication to advancing our understanding and treatment of visual disorders. […]

LASIK vs. PRK: Choosing the Best Path to Clear Vision

LASIK VS PRK

When considering laser eye surgery, it’s natural to have questions—maybe even concerns—about which procedure is right for you. LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are both highly effective in correcting vision, reducing dependence on glasses or contact lenses, and helping people regain the freedom of clear sight. But while LASIK is well-known […]

Honoring Women in Ophthalmology: Celebrating Women Physicians Day

At WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, we take immense pride in honoring the legacy and ongoing contributions of women physicians, both within our institution and across the globe. National Women Physicians Day, celebrated annually on February 3rd, provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women […]

New Comprehensive Review on Neovascular Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy by Joseph Lin

New Comprehensive Review on Neovascular Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy by Joseph Lin Published

ST. LOUIS, MO – January 23, 2025 —WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences  is pleased to announce the publication of a new comprehensive review titled “The Landscape of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibition in Retinal Diseases” by Joseph Lin, a dedicated medical student in the Apte Laboratory. The review, published […]

Dr. Carla Siegfried to Speak at Bascom Palmer’s “Next Reality Glaucoma 2025” Symposium

ST. LOUIS, MO – January 23, 2025 — WashU Medicine was proud to announce that Carla Siegfried, MD, the Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, was a key speaker and moderator at the prestigious “Next Reality Glaucoma 2025” Symposium. Hosted by the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, […]

What is Astigmatism and How Can LASIK Help?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that occurs when the eye’s cornea or lens has an irregular shape. Under normal conditions, the cornea and lens are smooth and uniformly curved, like a ball, allowing light to focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. However, when astigmatism is present, the cornea or lens […]

Glaucoma Awareness Month: Top 5 Questions Answered by Experts 

Glaucoma Awareness Month shines a light on this “silent thief of sight,” a condition that often progresses without symptoms but can lead to irreversible vision loss. Below, we address the top five questions patients frequently ask about glaucoma, with insights from leading researchers and clinicians at WashU Medicine.   1. What is glaucoma, and how does […]

Mitsu Yoshida Awarded VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation Research Fellowship for Innovative AMD Study

Yoshida VRSF Research Fellowship

ST. LOUIS, MO – December 17, 2024 — Mitsu Yoshida, MD, PhD, a researcher at WashU Medicine, has been named the recipient of the VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation (VRSF) Research Fellowship. Yoshida’s project, titled “The role of adipokine-regulated lipid mediator in age-related retinal dysfunction and disease“, aims to uncover novel mechanisms linking systemic aging to retinal degeneration, […]

Taku Yamamoto Receives VRSF Award for Research on Aging and Ocular Immunity

Taku Yamamoto Award

ST. LOUIS, MO – December 17, 2024 —  Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been honored with the Vision Research Scientific Foundation (VRSF) Award for his groundbreaking work on immunosenescence, the aging-related transition of the immune system. Yamamoto’s project focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying […]

Celebrate Safely This December: Tips for Toy and Celebration Safety

December is a season of joy, but it’s also a critical time to prioritize safety. With the holidays in full swing and celebrations around the corner, parents and guardians must remain vigilant about protecting children’s eyes and overall well-being. In observance of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is spreading […]

Installation Ceremony for Shiming Chen, PhD

On November 6, 2024, WashU Medicine hosted the installation ceremony of Shiming Chen, PhD, as the Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. Held in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center’s Connor Auditorium, the ceremony honored both Dr. Chen’s groundbreaking contributions to the field and the enduring legacy of Dr. Bernard and […]

Does LASIK Last Forever? Understanding the Longevity of LASIK Results 

One of the most common questions people ask about LASIK is, “Does it last forever?” LASIK has given millions of people the freedom to see clearly without glasses or contacts, but understanding the longevity of LASIK results and the role of aging in vision changes can help set realistic expectations. In this blog, we’ll dive […]

Highlighting Excellence: WashU Medicine Experts at Academy 2024

Eric Polk 2024

The American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting, Academy 2024, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, showcased groundbreaking research and cutting-edge advancements in the field of optometry and vision sciences. Among the distinguished contributors, WashU Medicine faculty members and researchers stood out, bringing innovative ideas to the forefront. One notable session was co-presented by Julia Pulliam, OD, FAAO, […]