Repurposed drug may help stabilize vision in rare disease (Links to an external site)

Ophthalmologist Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, (right), of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, examines patient Patricia Collins (left) while medical student Wilson Wang observes. Collins is a participant in a clinical trial that tests the safety and efficacy of an FDA-approved drug in stabilizing vision in patients with RVCL-S, a rare genetic […]

2nd Annual Winston Fellow Competition Winners

We are thrilled to announce the winners of Washington University John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) 2nd Annual Winston Fellow Competition. This event showcased DOVS students and postdocs presenting their cutting-edge research, competing for the esteemed Winston Fellow Awards in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. About the Winston Fellow Awards The […]

Revolutionizing Eye Care: WashU Ophthalmology Now Offering Corneal Cross-Linking for Adults (Links to an external site)

Corneal Cross-linking for Adults

Washington University Ophthalmologists now offer outpatient corneal collagen crosslinking therapy for adults. Corneal collagen cross-linking is an innovative treatment for keratoconus and certain corneal ectatic disorders. Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, leading to vision distortion and impairment. Collagen cross-linking, or CXL, offers hope to individuals affected […]

2nd Annual Faculty VS Residents Flag Football Game

2024 Flag Football Game

What a game! The 2nd Annual DOVS Faculty vs. Residents Flag Football Game was a blast, and this year, the Faculty took home the win! A big shout out to all our incredible players who brought their A-game to the field. Your hard work and sportsmanship made this event unforgettable. And let’s not forget the […]

Congrats, Matt Elitt, MD, PhD!

Matt Elitt and Paul Tesar

Congratulations to WashU Ophthalmology Resident, Matt Elitt, MD, PhD and Case Western Reserve’s Tesar Lab colleagues, on the advancement of ION356 to a phase I human clinical trial. Dr. Elitt’s doctoral research published in Nature demonstrated a novel method to pharmacologically target the pathology of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), representing the first potential treatment option for patients and […]

Celebrating Remarkable Careers and Well-Earned Retirements!

Retirement

Join us in honoring the legacies of Dr. Andrew Huang and Dr. Anthony J. Lubniewski, whose contributions will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come. Cheers to their extraordinary careers and the profound impact they have had on our institution and the field of ophthalmology. Congratulations Dr. Huang! After an incredible journey […]

Resident Breakfast with the Chair

Breakfast with the Chair 2024

The residents enjoyed a wonderful Breakfast With The Chair on Tuesday, March 26, 2024! Dr. Margolis offered valuable guidance for their professional journeys. From navigating the intricacies of clinical practice to charting a successful career path. His expertise extended to scientific research, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in driving innovation forward. A valuable experience that […]

Announcing New Directorships

Liu Sieck Directorships

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of two esteemed physicians to directorship positions within Washington University Ophthalmology. These appointments mark a significant step forward in our commitment to excellence in medical education and surgical training. Meet Our New Directors: James Liu, MD – Director of Surgical Training & Skills Lab Dr. Liu brings a […]

Call for Abstracts: Winston Fellow Award

Larval zebrafish head in pax6-DF4:mCFP transgenic line. Image credit: Takeshi Yoshimatsu

Apply Now for the Winston Fellow Award for Postdoctoral Fellows The Winston Fellow Award Program recognizes outstanding contributions to vision science. The ITVS Pathway overcomes boundaries between disciplines to develop a unique set of basic science, translational and professional skills that will position students to produce transformative breakthroughs in vision science. Students enrolled in the […]

Protecting Your Eyes During the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Witnessing a solar […]

Spotlight on Erin Sieck, MD

As we celebrate National Women Physicians Day, we are honored to shine a spotlight on the remarkable Erin Sieck, MD a Washington University Glaucoma Specialist. Her journey in medicine has been marked by dedication and a commitment to advancing surgical outcomes for her patients. Education Inspiration and Career Calling Driven by a passion for making […]

AMP Kinase Discovery in Photoreceptor Dysfunction by Tim Lee and Apte Lab

Catalytic isoforms of AMP-activated protein kinase differentially regulate IMPDH activity and photoreceptor neuron function

Graduate student Tim Lee from the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS), working in collaboration with the Apte Lab, has published a new paper revealing a significant discovery in the realm of photoreceptor dysfunction. The research, titled “Identification of IMPDH as a Therapeutically Modifiable Target of AMP Kinase in Rod Photoreceptors,” sheds light on […]

AMD Breakthrough: Uncovering Therapeutic Targets

Congratulations to MSTP Student Joseph Lin on Collaborative Breakthrough Publication in Cell Reports Medicine: Targeting cell-type-specific, choroid-peripheral immune signaling to treat age-related macular degeneration The Apte Lab is proud to announce the groundbreaking collaborative research publication by MSTP student Joseph Lin and the Ruzycki Lab. The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, addresses age-related macular […]

Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for AMD

Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD

We are thrilled to announce that Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD has recently been awarded a $300,000 Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB)/American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for AMD. This prestigious award serves as a testament to Dr. Apte’s commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of ophthalmology, particularly in the […]

Highlights from AAO 2023

AAO 2023

Over the weekend, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Conference unfolded in the bustling city of San Francisco, attracting a multitude of dedicated staff members eager to immerse themselves in the latest advancements in the field. The conference was a hub of learning, featuring an array of seminars, workshops, and keynote addresses delivered by leading […]

Innovative Research Unveils Potential Breakthrough in Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy, a major concern for individuals with diabetes, has long been associated with the risk of vision loss and blindness. This condition, driven in part by the actions of retinal immune cells known as microglia, takes a significant toll on those it affects. In a groundbreaking publication, Charles Pfeifer, PhD, from the laboratory of […]

WashU LASIK Continuing Education Event Fall 2023

WashU LASIK Continuing Education Event Fall 2023

A Night of Learning: Highlights from Our LASIK Continuing Education Event On October 17, 2023, our WashU LASIK team had the pleasure of hosting a continuing education dinner for local optometrists. It was a night filled with engaging discussions, informative presentations, and delicious food. We were thrilled to see so many optometrists in attendance, eager […]

STL VisionWalk 2023

The Foundation Fighting Blindness — St. Louis hosted its 17th Annual VisionWalk on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Our team, the WashU Visionaries, raised $3,000+ in support. The Foundation Fighting Blindness is committed to finding treatments and cures for people affected by blinding retinal diseases. Since its inception in the Spring of 2006, VisionWalk has raised over $66 […]

Congratulations Arsham Sheybani, MD

Dr. Sheybani was selected as the Arthur Light, MD, Memorial Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago’s 6th Annual Glaucoma Cataract Surgical Summit on Saturday, September 23, 2023.