Carla Siegfried, MD, professor of ophthalmology at the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, delivered the 2026 Robert Miller Memorial Lecture during Northwestern University’s Annual Paul Knepper Northwestern Ophthalmology and Vision Research Day on June 26.
Carla Siegfried, MD
Jacquelyn E. and Allan E. Kolker, MD, Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; Vice Chair of Strategic Initiatives
- Email: siegfried@nospam.wustl.edu
Siegfried’s lecture, “From Bedside to Bench… The Story of Oxygen and Insights into Glaucoma (and Cataract),” highlighted how decades of clinical observations and research have advanced our understanding of glaucoma and cataract development through the study of oxygen levels within the eye.
Her presentation focused on research measuring oxygen levels inside the eye and how differences in oxygen exposure influence the metabolism of cells, particularly within the trabecular meshwork, the tissue responsible for regulating the eye’s fluid drainage and intraocular pressure. These findings provide important insights into the biological processes that contribute to glaucoma.
Siegfried also discussed how vitrectomy surgery, a procedure commonly performed to treat retinal conditions by removing the vitreous gel from the back of the eye, can alter oxygen levels within the eye. These changes contribute to the development of cataracts and may increase the risk of glaucoma, offering new perspectives on the relationship between retinal surgery and long-term eye health.
In addition, the lecture explored emerging evidence of cellular differences within the trabecular meshwork that may help explain racial disparities in glaucoma. Understanding these biological differences could pave the way for precision medicine approaches and more personalized therapies for patients at risk of developing the disease.
“Our growing understanding of the cellular biology of the eye’s outflow pathway is creating new opportunities to develop therapies that improve fluid drainage, lower eye pressure, and reduce the risk of glaucoma development and progression.”
Carla Siegfried, MD
The Robert Miller Memorial Lecture recognizes distinguished leaders whose research has advanced the understanding and treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Siegfried’s invitation to deliver the 2026 lecture highlights her internationally recognized contributions to glaucoma research and her ongoing commitment to translating laboratory discoveries into meaningful improvements in patient care.
About WashU Medicine
WashU Medicine is a global leader in academic medicine, including biomedical research, patient care and educational programs with 2,900 faculty. Its National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding portfolio is the second largest among U.S. medical schools and has grown 56% in the last seven years. Together with institutional investment, WashU Medicine commits well over $1 billion annually to basic and clinical research innovation and training. Its faculty practice is consistently within the top five in the country, with more than 1,900 faculty physicians practicing at 130 locations and who are also the medical staffs of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals of BJC HealthCare. WashU Medicine has a storied history in MD/PhD training, recently dedicated $100 million to scholarships and curriculum renewal for its medical students, and is home to top-notch training programs in every medical subspecialty as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology and communications sciences.