Author: Katy

Genome-wide screen yields new gene therapies to protect against retinal degeneration (Links to an external site)

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 […]

Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway Call for Applications 2026

Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway Call for Applications 2025

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 […]

Match Day 2026: Introducing Our Incoming Residents & Fellows!

We are excited to welcome the newest members of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences residency and fellowship programs! Incoming Residents Internal Medicine 2026-2027 | Ophthalmology 2027-2030 Incoming Fellows Cornea Fellowship Oculoplastics Fellowship 1st Year Retina Fellowship 2nd Year Retina Fellowship Glaucoma Fellowship Chiefs of Ophthalmic Trauma We […]

Lee and Team Named Finalists in NIH S-Index Challenge

Lee and Team Named Finalists in NIH S-Index Challenge

Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, and team named Phase 1 finalists in the NIH S-Index Challenge for developing a novel metric to reward high-quality data sharing. St. Louis, MO — September 16, 2025 — We are excited to share that Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the WashU Medicine […]

A Message from Our New Chair

WashU Medicine Ophthalmology New Chair

Dear Friends of WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Returning to St. Louis after more than a decade truly feels like coming home. This community has always held a special place for my family, and Cecilia and I are deeply grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received. We are […]

Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope

Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope

Science in Focus: Art Beyond the Microscope, a science as art competition! We invite all vision science researchers to participate in this unique competition, where science and art intersect to reveal the beauty within scientific research. Purpose and Goals Our goal is to celebrate the beauty of science and engage the community in its impact. […]

Lee Named New Head of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (Links to an external site)

Aaron Y. Lee, MD, a physician-scientist at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence (AI) to ophthalmology research and patient care, has been named the head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. His appointment begins […]

Call for Abstracts: Winston Fellow Award 2025

Call for Abstracts: Winston Fellow Award 2025

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 […]

Five named National Academy of Inventors senior members (Links to an external site)

Five named National Academy of Inventors senior members

Five researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have been named senior members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Among the new senior members are three researchers from the School of Medicine: Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, Aaron DiAntonio, MD PhD, and John DiPersio, MD, PhD; along with Sophia Hayes, a ​professor of chemistry in […]

Match Day 2025: Introducing Our Incoming Residents & Fellows!

Match Day 2025: Introducing Our Incoming Residents & Fellows!

We are excited to welcome the newest members of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences residency and fellowship programs! Incoming Residents Internal Medicine 2025-2026 & Ophthalmology 2026-2029 Incoming Fellows Cornea Fellowship Retina Fellowship Glaucoma Fellowship Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of […]

$5 Million Investment Advances CRX-Related Blindness Research

$5 Million Investment Advances CRX-Related Blindness Research

Philanthropic Gift Fuels Breakthroughs in Restorative Treatments for Hereditary Blindness ST. LOUIS, MO – November, 2024 — WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is proud to announce a generous $5 million investment from a Polish donor, aimed at advancing innovative genetic and stem cell research led by Shiming Chen, PhD, […]

Grateful Patient Spotlight: Claire’s Life-Changing Journey with PRK Surgery

Grateful Patient Spotlight: Claire's Life-Changing Journey with PRK Surgery

We are honored to share inspiring stories from our patients who experience life-changing care. Claire, a remarkable young woman, shares her journey from being born legally blind to discovering a new world of possibilities after PRK surgery performed by Dr. Lawrence Tychsen, WashU Medicine pediatric ophthalmologist, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Claire’s Story “Hi, I’m […]

Being Asian American (Links to an external site)

Being Asian American by Rajendra Apte

Being Asian American by Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD What does it mean to be Asian American? This is a question that many who identify as Asian American often face whether they emigrated to the United States or were natural born citizens. Defined as a model minority, discriminated in academia or the business world as over-represented, […]

Honoring the Legacy of Morton E. Smith, MD

Honoring the Legacy of Morton E. Smith, MD

The John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine invites you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary career and enduring impact of Morton E. Smith, MD. Dr. Smith, Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Associate Dean Emeritus, continues to inspire as a living legend in the field […]

Treatment Strategies for Vision Loss Due to Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis

Treatment Strategies for Vision Loss Due to Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis

Surgeons Discuss Treatment Recommendations for Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis A 20-year-old patient presents with a history of light sensitivity, decreased best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and challenges with night driving, attributed to Thygeson Superficial Punctate Keratitis (SPK). Despite a 5-year treatment regimen that included corticosteroids and various therapies like refractive lenses and cyclosporine, her symptoms remain […]

Understanding the Leading Causes of Blindness 

Understanding the Leading Causes of Blindness

October is Blindness Awareness Month. Across the world millions of people live with some form of vision loss. While total blindness affects a small percentage, many individuals experience low vision or visual impairment that significantly impacts their daily lives. Understanding the leading causes of blindness can help promote early detection and treatment, which is essential […]

New Research Faculty Member: Qian Wang, PhD

New Research Faculty Member: Qian Wang, PhD

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Qian Wang, PhD, as Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine. Research Focus Dr. Wang’s research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms that govern eye development, with the goal of translating this knowledge into innovative therapies […]

WashU awarded up to $20M to create portable device to scan for eye diseases (Links to an external site)

WashU awarded up to $20M to create portable device to scan for eye diseases

In the United States, more than one-fourth of adults over age 40 have an eye disease, including glaucoma, cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, or a chronic health condition that affects the eyes, such as diabetic retinopathy. These conditions are a strain on an individual’s health as well as on the health care system, yet early diagnosis and management can help to prevent more than 90% of severe vision loss.

AAO 2024 WashU Speakers

AAO 2024 WashU Speakers

Selected faculty of WashU Ophthalmology will be featured at the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, taking place from October 18-21 in Chicago, IL. This prestigious event gathers leading experts from around the world to share their knowledge and advancements in the field of ophthalmology. WashU’s faculty will contribute their expertise across a […]

James Walsh, MD, PhD Receives RPB Career Development Award

James Walsh, MD, PhD Receives RPB Career Development Award

We are thrilled to announce that James Walsh, MD, PhD has been awarded the prestigious Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). This award, which provides $350,000 in funding over four years, is designed to support promising junior ophthalmology faculty in their journey toward becoming independent researchers. Research Focus Dr. Walsh’s research centers […]