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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences On February 11, the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences community gathered to honor Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI as the newly installed Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. The installation ceremony, featured Lee’s compelling […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to share that Julia Pulliam, OD, FAAO, recently presented at the Envision Summit in Puerto Rico. Her presentation focused on “Collaborating (OD/MD) in Uveitis Patients,” highlighting the power of interdisciplinary care in managing complex inflammatory eye disease. Uveitis often requires […]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 50, and while treatments exist for advanced stages of the disease, they are not curative or preventive. During Low Vision and AMD Awareness Month, researchers in the Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD and the Apte Lab within the WashU Medicine John […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has received a notice of award for a new clinical trial focused on advancing treatment options for patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study, titled “Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: […]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition affecting the macula—the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. It is a leading cause of vision loss in people 50 years or older. Understanding the condition, recognizing early changes, and knowing what support is available can help patients maintain both vision and quality of […]
Stephen Wexler, MD, explains LASIK prescription limits and when other vision correction options may be a better fit for patients with high myopia. Many patients with strong glasses or contact lens prescriptions wonder whether laser vision correction is an option for them. In a recent video, Stephen Wexler, MD, refractive surgeon with the WashU Medicine […]
Drs. Aaron and Cecilia Lee receive one of ophthalmology’s highest honors for advancing big data, AI, and collaborative discovery. Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Cecilia Lee, MD,MS Jane Hardesty Poole Endowed Professor, Ophthalmology […]
Poonam Naik, PhD, a researcher in the Apte Lab within the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has received a research grant from the VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation to study new immune-based approaches for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a leading cause of vision loss. The project focuses on […]
Presentation at international meeting shows how specialized scleral lenses can dramatically improve vision in complex cases A complex contact lens case from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences was recently featured at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, where Jordan Jones, OD, FAAO, presented on advanced scleral lens fitting […]
New optometrist brings strong background in ocular disease and a passion for patient education The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is pleased to welcome John Szewczyk, OD, to the clinical team. Szewczyk brings extensive experience in ocular disease and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. Training and Background […]
Carla Siegfried, MD, explains why glaucoma often goes unnoticed and how early screening can protect vision January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a time to highlight a leading cause of irreversible vision loss that often progresses without warning. Glaucoma affects the optic nerve—the structure that carries visual information from the eye to the brain—and damage to […]
WashU Medicine physicians describe a rare cause of secondary glaucoma tied to amyloid protein deposits inside the eye Physicians from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences recently published a new case report describing a rare cause of glaucoma that was difficult to diagnose using standard clinical exams. The […]
Stephen Wexler, MD, discusses evolving refractive surgery trends and emerging laser technologies The landscape of corneal refractive surgery continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, driven by advancements in laser technology, expanded treatment options, and shifting procedure volumes. In a recent presentation, Stephen Wexler, MD, refractive surgeon with the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department […]
Hands-on LASIK training prepares the next generation of refractive surgeons At the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, refractive surgery education is built into the core of cornea fellowship training. Through direct supervision and structured surgical experience, fellows at the WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center gain valuable, hands-on exposure […]