OD residents present research at Academy of Optometry meeting

OD residents present research at Academy of Optometry meeting

WashU Medicine Ophthalmology residents shared clinical case studies highlighting innovation in vision care and patient outcomes Two optometry residents from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences presented research posters at the 2025 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting, showcasing their clinical expertise and contributions to advancing patient care. […]

Ophthalmology team hosts annual Beep Ball game

Ophthalmology team hosts annual Beep Ball game

In partnership with MindsEye, WashU Medicine Ophthalmology promotes inclusion and awareness through accessible sports The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences partnered with MindsEye to host its annual Beep Ball game on Saturday, October 11, 2025 in Forest Park, bringing together faculty, trainees, staff and patients for a day of friendly […]

Ray-Tracing Technology: The Future of LASIK Arrives in St. Louis

The WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center is proud to announce the arrival of Wavelight® Plus Ray-Tracing Technology

St. Louis, MO — October 13, 2025 — The WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center is proud to announce the arrival of  Wavelight® Plus Ray-Tracing Technology, a breakthrough in vision correction now available for qualifying patients following recent FDA approval. Unlike traditional LASIK methods, which rely on averaged measurements,  Wavelight® Plus Ray-Tracing builds a personalized model of each […]

Cayouette delivers 2025 Beebe Lecture on retinal development and regeneration

Cayouette delivers 2025 Beebe Lecture on retinal development and regeneration

Michel Cayouette, PhD, presents during the 8th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship in Vision Science On October 2, 2025, the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences hosted the 8th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship as part of the Vision Science Seminar series. This year’s distinguished speaker, Michel Cayouette, PhD, delivered a […]

Vision Science Research Retreat 2025 celebrates innovation, collaboration and discovery

Vision Science Research Retreat 2025 celebrates innovation, collaboration and discovery

Faculty, trainees and staff gathered for the annual retreat featuring poster sessions, food trucks and research awards The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences hosted the 2025 Vision Science Research Retreat on Friday, October 3, bringing together faculty, trainees and staff for a day celebrating innovation and collaboration in vision research. […]

Ophthalmic Personnel Update XX brings 50+ attendees for engaging day of learning

Ophthalmic Personnel Update XX brings 50+ attendees for engaging day of learning

Seminar sponsored by WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences featured expert talks and continuing education opportunities for ophthalmic personnel More than 50 ophthalmic personnel from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and community practices across the St. Louis region gathered for the 2025 […]

Lee returns to WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences to advance research and care in ophthalmology

Lee returns to WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences to advance research and care in ophthalmology

Recognized for expertise in retinal diseases and innovative research on brain and systemic health links Cecilia Lee, MD, MS, will join the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Lee, a specialist in medical retina and cataract surgery, is a leading investigator in big data and AI applications in ophthalmology, […]

Why Fall is the Perfect Season for LASIK Surgery

Why Fall is the Perfect season for LASIK

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, many of us prepare for the cooler months by updating our wardrobes, switching up our skincare routines, and getting cozy. But have you considered that fall might be the perfect time to invest in your vision? LASIK surgery is a life-changing procedure that can […]

Shui accepts award on behalf of WashU Medicine Eye Center volunteers

Shui accepts award on behalf of WashU Medicine Eye Center volunteers

Honored for ongoing service with Health Protection & Education Services at University City Library Ying-Bo Shui, MD, PhD, Senior Scientist at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, accepted an award in September on behalf of colleagues and trainees from the WashU Eye Centers. The recognition, presented at the Health […]

John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Celebrates Completion of Modern Research Space

John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Celebrates Completion of Modern Research Space

28,000-square-foot renovation brings teams together to drive the future of ophthalmology St. Louis, MO — September 25, 2025 — The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has officially opened its state-of-the-art vision research hub on the 9th floor of the McDonnell Medical Sciences Building (MMSB). The milestone was celebrated […]

Faculty to Present at the 2025 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting

Faculty to Present at the 2025 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting

Faculty from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences will present at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, October 17–20, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. The AAO Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of ophthalmologists, bringing together leading experts to share new research, clinical techniques, and innovations […]

Clark lab publishes new findings on DNA demethylation in retinal development

Clark lab publishes new findings on DNA demethylation in retinal development

Study identifies critical role of epigenetic regulation in rod photoreceptor specification Ismael Hernández-Núñez, PhD, researcher in the Clark lab at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and his laboratory recently published “Active DNA demethylation upstream of rod-photoreceptor fate determination is required for retinal development”. The study uncovers how changes […]

Breakthrough Review Highlights Stem Cell Innovations for Corneal Blindness

Breakthrough Review Highlights Stem Cell Innovations for Corneal Blindness (1)

St. Louis, MO – September 10, 2025 – WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is spotlighting advances in corneal regeneration, offering new hope for patients living with vision impairment due to corneal scars and opacities. Corneal scars and opacities—often caused by trauma, infection, or chemical injury—are a leading cause […]

Takeshi Yoshimatsu, PhD Awarded NIH R01 Grant to Study Visual Feature Competition in Retinal Pathways

Takeshi Yoshimatsu, PhD Awarded NIH R01 Grant to Study Visual Feature Competition in Retinal Pathways

We are excited to announce that Takeshi Yoshimatsu, PhD has received his first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)! This prestigious five-year grant, which began on July 1, 2025, will support groundbreaking research titled: “Visual Feature Competition Between Central and Peripheral Retinal Pathways.” Why This Research Matters “Eye fixation is a critical […]

New Study Reveals Role of Autophagy in Protecting Vision

New Study Reveals Role of Autophagy in Protecting Vision

Autophagy Regulates Müller Glial Cell Inflammatory Activation A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science highlights the critical role of autophagy—the body’s process of recycling proteins—in regulating inflammation within the retina. The research, led by Thomas Ferguson, PhD, and Philip Ruzycki, PhD, from the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual […]

Study Explores Effects of S1P Receptor Modulation on the Retina

Study Explores Effects of S1P Receptor Modulation on the Retina

St. Louis, MO — August 27, 2025 — Researchers at the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in collaboration with the Department of Neurology have published new findings on the effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulation on the human retina. The study, led by the Apte Lab and published […]

Margret Reynolds, MD, Receives Prestigious NIH K23 Award for Groundbreaking Research on Refractive Surgery in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Margret Reynolds, MD, Receives Prestigious NIH K23 Award for Groundbreaking Research on Refractive Surgery in Autism Spectrum Disorder

St. Louis, MO – August 26, 2025 – John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine is proud to announce that Margret Reynolds, MD, has been awarded a highly competitive K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This award supports early-career clinician-scientists who […]

Welcome Alexander Lyss, OD

Welcome Alexander Lyss, OD

The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine welcomes Alexander Lyss, OD, to the clinical team. Lyss brings a unique background and a strong commitment to patient-centered eye care. Before pursuing optometry, Lyss worked as a chemist—but soon realized he wanted a career that allowed him to connect more […]

New Publication: Rethinking How We Quantify Effects in Cell Biology

New Publication: Rethinking How We Quantify Effects in Cell Biology

We’re excited to share a new publication from Josh Morgan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, titled “Alternative to the statistical mass confusion of testing for ‘no effect’”, published in the July 2025 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology. Morgan’s work challenges the traditional reliance on P values to determine whether an effect exists. While P […]