Faculty and students from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine made a strong impact at the 2026 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) annual meeting. Their work spanned cutting-edge surgical approaches, better treatment strategies for childhood eye conditions, and innovations in how […]
The Dean’s Impact Awards recognize faculty members whose work reflects meaningful, lasting engagement with the community. WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to announce that Steven M. Couch, MD, FACS, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Dean’s Impact Award. Couch is a highly respected […]
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 […]
A new study from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by Philip Williams, Ph.D., Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, and graduate student Zelun Wang, offers important insight into how retinal neurons adapt their metabolism to sustain vision and respond to disease. Published in Nature Communications, the research focuses […]
A clinical trial led by Margaret Reynolds, MD, MSCI, from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MDDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences explored whether vision correction surgery could make a meaningful difference, not just in eyesight, but also in behavior and daily life. The trial included 267 children with ASD or ASD-like behaviors and vision problems […]
Department members earn leadership grants, keynote honors, and abstract awards at neuro-ophthalmology annual meeting. The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences was well-represented at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) 2026 Annual Meeting, with a contingent of nine faculty members, residents, and medical students contributing to the scientific program. […]
Shiming Chen, PhD, and her team are developing mechanism-based gene therapies to restore vision. Shiming Chen, PhD, the Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is spearheading research to understand and treat CRX-associated retinopathies. These inheritable blinding diseases are […]
Stephen A. Wexler, MD, a professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, recently published a study regarding advancements in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The article, titled “Myopic and Astigmatic Laser in situ Keratomileusis Using a Ray Tracing−Based Treatment Algorithm with a Personalized […]
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 […]
WashU Medicine Ophthalmology has been ranked No. 3 in the nation in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding among ophthalmology departments, according to the 2025 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) rankings. WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences continues to demonstrate national research leadership, securing $22,793,703 in NIH funding […]
Macular Degeneration: A Leading Cause of Vision Loss Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 50 in North America, affecting nearly 20 million Americans today. Globally, that number is projected to reach 300 million by 2040, with nearly two million people in the U.S. living with severe vision loss. […]
Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences On February 11, the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences community gathered to honor Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI as the newly installed Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. The installation ceremony, featured Lee’s compelling […]
The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to share that Julia Pulliam, OD, FAAO, recently presented at the Envision Summit in Puerto Rico. Her presentation focused on “Collaborating (OD/MD) in Uveitis Patients,” highlighting the power of interdisciplinary care in managing complex inflammatory eye disease. Uveitis often requires […]
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 50, and while treatments exist for advanced stages of the disease, they are not curative or preventive. During Low Vision and AMD Awareness Month, researchers in the Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD and the Apte Lab within the WashU Medicine John […]
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 […]