The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has received a notice of award for a new clinical trial focused on advancing treatment options for patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study, titled “Efficacy of Dapagliflozin in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: […]
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 […]
Drs. Aaron and Cecilia Lee receive one of ophthalmology’s highest honors for advancing big data, AI, and collaborative discovery. Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Cecilia Lee, MD,MS Jane Hardesty Poole Endowed Professor, Ophthalmology […]
Poonam Naik, PhD, a researcher in the Apte Lab within the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, has received a research grant from the VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation to study new immune-based approaches for treating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a leading cause of vision loss. The project focuses on […]
Presentation at international meeting shows how specialized scleral lenses can dramatically improve vision in complex cases A complex contact lens case from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences was recently featured at the Global Specialty Lens Symposium, where Jordan Jones, OD, FAAO, presented on advanced scleral lens fitting […]
New optometrist brings strong background in ocular disease and a passion for patient education The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is pleased to welcome John Szewczyk, OD, to the clinical team. Szewczyk brings extensive experience in ocular disease and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. Training and Background […]
WashU Medicine physicians describe a rare cause of secondary glaucoma tied to amyloid protein deposits inside the eye Physicians from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences recently published a new case report describing a rare cause of glaucoma that was difficult to diagnose using standard clinical exams. The […]
Transforming noninvasive retinal imaging into practical tools for screening and referral Wilson Wang, MD, resident at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, received an award from the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation (VRSF). The award is for his project titled “Clinically Actionable OCT-A Biomarkers: A Retinal Microangiopathy Index for Risk Stratification […]
Stephen Wexler, MD, discusses evolving refractive surgery trends and emerging laser technologies The landscape of corneal refractive surgery continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, driven by advancements in laser technology, expanded treatment options, and shifting procedure volumes. In a recent presentation, Stephen Wexler, MD, refractive surgeon with the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department […]
New funding supports innovative research into the biology of choroidal neovascularization WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, congratulates Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, for receiving a new research grant from The Carl Marschall Reeves and Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation. The grant supports Dr. Shuntaro Ogura’s project in Apte Lab […]
Researchers are learning that the eye may offer important clues about brain health, especially in people with retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) In this study, led by medical student Henok Getahun, working in the Apte lab at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, participants with […]
Hands-on LASIK training prepares the next generation of refractive surgeons At the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, refractive surgery education is built into the core of cornea fellowship training. Through direct supervision and structured surgical experience, fellows at the WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center gain valuable, hands-on exposure […]
New Stellest lenses offer an FDA-approved option to help manage childhood nearsightedness The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized marketing of the Essilor Stellest eyeglass lenses—the first spectacle lenses in the United States approved to slow the progression of myopia in children ages 6–12. The decision marks an important milestone for families seeking […]
An increase in gap years may be a cause for concern for the nation’s growing doctor shortage A new publication by WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by physicians Cynthia L. Montana, MD, PhD, and Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, examines how today’s medical training path may be […]
This month, researchers from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences joined colleagues from around the world to present their work at SfN’s poster sessions. Sean McCracken, PhD, representing the Williams lab, shared his research on retinogeniculate organization in the visual thalamus after monocular crush injury and explored the role […]
Honor recognizes his lifetime contributions to vision science and advances in retinal disease and surgery Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor in the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, was awarded the Gold Medal by the Saudi Ophthalmology Society for his lifetime contributions to vision […]
Is there a more intriguingly named part of our body than the Zonule of Zinn? This network of tiny, translucent fibers sits behind the iris, bridging the gap between the lens and the inner wall of the eye. Acting like the springs of a trampoline, these fibers enable the lens to adjust its shape to […]
November Spotlights Breakthroughs in Diabetic Retinopathy Research Each November, Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Month calls attention to one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. At the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, researchers are taking the conversation a step further shifting the focus from awareness to innovation, discovery, and […]
This Research Insight covers a publication from the Bassnett Lab. Here, we highlight how findings by Pooja Rathaur, PhD and colleagues have contributed to our understanding of how the fibrous molecules that comprise the zonular fibers of the eye support vision. In their paper published in Cells, scientists in the lab of Steven Bassnett, PhD—professor […]
At the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology, co-managed care between our optometrists and ophthalmologists highlights the strength of true clinical collaboration. This patient-centered approach ensures individuals receive comprehensive, efficient, and personalized care for all their eye health needs. What Is Co-Managed Care? Co-managed care brings together the unique expertise of both optometrists and […]