WashU Medicine at AAO 2024

The 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Conference in Chicago brought together leading experts in eye care to explore the latest advancements in the field. WashU Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences actively participated, contributing to important discussions on new technologies and sharing insights on new technology, surgical techniques, and patient care. Contributions from […]

WashU Ophthalmologists Receive 2024 ASOPRS Research Award

St. Louis, MO – October 18, 2024 – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis’ Drs. Custer and Maamari have been awarded the 2024 American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Research Award for their groundbreaking paper titled “The Hatchet Flap for Eyelid and Midfacial Reconstruction: Experience from 70 Cases.” The paper, […]

Trunk or Treat at Children’s Specialty Care Center-South County Recap

A big thank you to everyone who made our Trunk or Treat event at the St. Louis Children’s Specialty Care Center a success! With over 800 attendees, the event was packed with spooky fun, creative costumes, and amazing trunk displays. Best Trunk Winners: We appreciate all the community support and look forward to next year’s […]

Gateway Curriculum: Eye Movement and Pupillary Abnormalities

In 2020, WashU Medicine introduced the Gateway Curriculum, a forward-thinking initiative designed to transform medical education. As part of this new curriculum, Dr. Andrew Lee and Dr. Cynthia Montana had the privilege of developing the ophthalmology content for second-year medical students, aiming to enhance their understanding of this critical field. Dr. Stunkel also played a […]

Dr. Poonam Naik Named CRM Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar

Poonam Naik, PhD

We are thrilled to share that Poonam Naik, PhD, a postdoctoral associate in the laboratory of Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, has been named a Center of Regenerative Medicine (CRM) Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar for her groundbreaking research on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This prestigious honor recognizes her innovative work on one of the leading causes of […]

WashU Medicine at SfN 2024

The 2024 Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference has wrapped up, and WashU Medicine Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences made a big impact by sharing groundbreaking research. From retinal degeneration to new gene therapies, WashU researchers are at the forefront of vision science. Here’s a look at the exciting posters our team presented and the promising developments […]

Understanding LASIK: The Life-Changing Eye Surgery

For millions of people, the need for glasses or contact lenses can be a daily hassle. Whether it’s misplacing your glasses or the discomfort of wearing contacts all day, vision problems can significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, modern advancements in eye care, like LASIK surgery, offer a permanent solution to common vision issues, […]

Dr. Andrew JW Huang and Dr. Qin Liu Receive NIH/NEI Grant to Investigate Neural Mechanisms of Corneal Injuries Caused by Ammonia Exposure

ST. LOUIS, MO – October 4, 2024 – Andrew JW Huang, MD, MPH, Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and Qin Liu, PhD, Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, have been awarded a four-year R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Eye […]

Understanding the Leading Causes of Blindness 

Understanding the Leading Causes of Blindness

October is Blindness Awareness Month. Across the world millions of people live with some form of vision loss. While total blindness affects a small percentage, many individuals experience low vision or visual impairment that significantly impacts their daily lives. Understanding the leading causes of blindness can help promote early detection and treatment, which is essential […]

St. Louis Vision Walk 2024

The Foundation Fighting Blindness — St. Louis hosted its 18th Annual VisionWalk on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Our team, the WashU Visionaries, raised over $3000 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 million […]

Vision Science Journal Club: Gene Editing Discovery in Retinal Cell

Sean McCracken, a Neuroscience PhD candidate in the Williams’ Lab, gave his presentation at the Vision Science Journal Club on Retrograde AAV-mediated gene modulation revealing chloride intracellular channel proteins as potent regulators of retinal ganglion cell death. Sean explained that Tapia et al used a special method to label and track viruses in retinal ganglion cells […]

2024 Appreciation Party & Awards

On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Washington University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences came together for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and gratitude at the annual Appreciation Party & Awards. Held at 9 Mile Garden in Affton, MO, the evening was filled with delicious food, family-friendly activities, and moments honoring the dedication of the […]

Open House for New Multidisciplinary Surgical Simulation Lab

The highly anticipated open house of the new shared multidisciplinary surgical simulation lab took place on September 18th, 2024, offering an exclusive first look at the future of surgical innovation. “The recently launched Multidisciplinary Surgical Simulation Lab is enhancing our training capabilities significantly. Serving ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and neurosurgery, this facility is equipped with advanced technology […]

Recap: 19th Annual Ophthalmic Personnel Update

On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the 19th Annual Ophthalmic Personnel Update took place at the COH Conference Room in St. Louis, bringing together a dedicated group of ophthalmic professionals for a day filled with education, networking, and advancement in the field. This year’s event, approved for 6 JCAHPO continuing education credits, exceeded expectations, providing invaluable […]

National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024

National Postdoc Appreciation Week

Celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024 We would like to recognize and express gratitude to our postdoctoral appointees at Washington University. This week is National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW). It is a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Washington University’s more than 950 postdoctoral appointees. Their hard work in research, teaching, and […]

Why Fall is the Perfect Season for LASIK Surgery

LASIK in the Fall

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, many of us prepare for the cooler months by updating our wardrobes, switching up our skincare routines, and getting cozy. But have you considered that fall might be the perfect time to invest in your vision? LASIK surgery is a life-changing procedure that can […]

Dr. Clark receives grant for Regulation of Retinal Development by RNA Molecules

Dr. Brian Clark Awarded Prestigious R01 Grant for Groundbreaking Research on Retinal Development St. Louis, MO – September 11th, 2024 – Washington University School of Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. Brian Clark, PhD, has been awarded his first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for his pioneering research titled “Regulation […]

New Research Faculty Member: Qian Wang, PhD

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Qian Wang, PhD, as Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine. Research Focus Dr. Wang’s research focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms that govern eye development, with the goal of translating this knowledge into innovative therapies […]

Recap: 7th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

7th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship

On Thursday, September 7th, the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University hosted the 7th Annual David C. Beebe Lectureship, celebrating a major milestone in vision science research. This year’s distinguished speaker, Vladimir Kefalov, PhD, a leading professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine, captivated the audience with his presentation, “From […]

Recap of the 4th Annual DOVS Research Retreat

4th annual dovs research retreat Shiming Chen, PhD

On Friday, September 6th, 2024, the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences (DOVS) hosted its 4th Annual Research Retreat, bringing together researchers, trainees, and faculty for a day of inspiring presentations and artistic innovation. Research Poster Session The retreat kicked off with the Research Poster Session, where 22 groundbreaking projects were showcased. Attendees had the […]