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. Arsham Sheybani Expert Insights on Cataract Surgery and Glaucoma

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.

Employee Appreciation Awards 2023

We are thrilled to announce the winners of our Inaugural DOVS Employee Appreciation Awards! Congratulations to our amazing team members who have gone above and beyond in their roles and truly embody the spirit of our company. Let’s give them a round of applause for their hard work and dedication! We are grateful for their […]

National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2023

Thank you for everything that you do! We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and impressive accomplishments of our postdoctoral appointees at Washington University. The contributions of our postdocs are an integral part of the world-class education and research at Washington University. Their energy and talent are vital to our thriving and […]

Congratulations Charles Pfeifer, PhD

Congratulations to Charles Pfeifer on successfully defending your thesis! You have worked hard to achieve this significant milestone in your academic career.

2023 BeepBall Tournament

WashU Visionaries participated in the Mindseye Adaptive Athletics BeepBall Tournament on Saturday, September 9th, 2023. BeepBall is a spin on baseball that unites athletes who are blind and sighted on the same playing field. Players are guided by sound, not sight – the sound of the beeping ball, buzzing bases, and cues from the pitcher. […]

Guide to Refractive Errors

Types of refractive errors Is it genetic? Many genetic syndromes put patients at higher risk for developing refractive errors. All types of refractive errors are hereditary and contain a significant genetic component.  The traits underlying refractive error such as the length of the eye and the curvature of the cornea are also heritable.  Refractive errors […]

6 Common Eye Care Myths

Taking care of your eyes is important for maintaining good vision and overall eye health. However, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding eye care that can lead to confusion and potentially harmful practices. Optometrist, Lindsey Thomas debunks six common eye care myths to help you better understand how to protect your eyes and maintain […]

Is Marijuana a Treatment for Glaucoma?

To properly answer this question, lets first define marijuana and glaucoma. Cannabis sativa is a plant that contains chemical substances called cannabinoids. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most commonly referenced cannabinoids and have effects on certain receptors within the brain and body, including the eye. Marijuana is a portion of the cannabis sativa […]

Welcome Jennifer Enright, MD, PhD

We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Enright, MD, PhD to our team of Cornea Faculty. Jennifer Enright, MD, PhD recently completed her Cornea and External Disease Fellowship at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Enright completed her medical degree and ophthalmology residency at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis. After her residency […]