May is Healthy Vision Month

Every May, Healthy Vision Month serves as a national reminder of how essential it is to care for our eyes — not just when problems arise, but every single day. In 2025, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends everyone take simple, proactive steps to safeguard their vision and reduce their risk of eye disease. […]

Interdisciplinary Training in Vision Science (ITVS) Pathway Call for Applications 2025

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 […]

WashU Medical Students Honored with Prestigious Awards for Vision Research

The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (DOVS) at WashU Medicine is proud to announce that two medical students from the Apte Lab have received prestigious awards recognizing their outstanding research in vision science. Wilson Wang, a talented medical student researcher, has been awarded the Max & Evelyn Grand and Robert Carter […]

WashU Medicine at ARVO 2025

From May 4–8, 2025, Salt Lake City, Utah, hosted the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, the premier international forum for the exchange of cutting-edge research and ideas in the field of eye and vision science. This year’s theme, “i3: Imagining Innovation and Intelligence in Vision Science,” emphasized the transformative impact […]

Evolutionarily Conserved Pupil Response Sharpens Image Quality to Improve Visual Acuity 

This Research Insight covers a publication from the Kerschensteiner Lab. Here, we highlight how Michael Fitzpatrick, PhD and colleagues uncovered a new pupil response in the mouse, disentangled the neural pathway in the retina that drives it, and discovered that it is also present in humans. These findings shed new light on strategies the visual […]

Highlights from the 36th Annual Ophthalmology Spring Update

WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences hosted the 36th Annual Ophthalmology Spring Update on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Connor Auditorium in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center on the Medical School Campus. This year’s event brought together distinguished leaders in ophthalmology […]

Dr. Todd Margolis Shares Expertise on Ocular Diseases at Prestigious Institutions

In April 2025, Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhD, Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor and Chairman, delivered lectures at two academic medical institutions, sharing his clinical and research insights on ocular surface disease, viral uveitis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology – April 4, 2025 Dr. Margolis […]

PRK vs. LASIK: What You Need to Know Before Choosing Vision Correction

When it comes to laser vision correction, LASIK is often the star of the show. But there’s another safe, effective option you should know about—PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). At WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center, we’re not here to upsell one procedure over another. We’re here to help you choose the safest and most successful option for […]

Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD, MS receives 2025-2026 Heed Fellowship

ST. LOUIS, MO – April 25, 2025 —WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences proudly announces that Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD, MS has been selected as one of the 2025 – 2026 Heed Ophthalmic Fellows. Dr. Sabapathypillai, currently a resident physician at WashU Medicine and incoming glaucoma fellow in the Department […]

ARVO 2025 WashU Medicine Presenters

The 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting is the premier international forum for the exchange of cutting-edge research and ideas in the field of eye and vision science. Each year, thousands of scientists, clinicians, trainees, and professionals from affiliated disciplines convene to share their latest findings, foster collaborations, and shape the future of vision research. In 2025, […]

A Putative Role of SDPR in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma 

This Research Insight covers a recent publication from the Siegfried Lab. Here, we highlight how Ying-Bo Shui, MD, PhD and colleagues identified a gene that might exacerbate the worse primary open-angle glaucoma presentation experienced by Black individuals.  In their recent paper published in Scientific Reports, scientists in the lab of Carla Siegfried, MD, professor of […]

Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD receives Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award

St. Louis, MO — April 21, 2025 — Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD, was honored with the Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award during a special ceremony recognizing exemplary contributions to the academic community. The 26th annual Outstanding Faculty and Staff Award Ceremony took place on Monday, April 21, at 5:00 p.m. in Steinberg Auditorium on the […]

Spring 2025 LASIK CE Dinner Recap: A Night of Education, Connection, and Community

The WashU Medicine Spring 2025 LASIK Optometry Continuing Education Dinner was an outstanding success! Held on April 15, 2025, at Westwood Country Club in St. Louis, brought together a dynamic group of local optometrists for an evening of clinical insight, collegial connection, and of course—great food. Over 60 attendees joined us to earn COPE-approved continuing […]

Pickleball and Eye Protection: Celebrating Sports Eye Safety Month

pickleball and eye protection

April is Sports Eye Safety Month, and while we typically think about eye protection in labs or construction zones, there’s another place where our eyes are unexpectedly at risk: the pickleball court. Yes, you read that right—pickleball, the fast-growing sport loved by grandparents, teens, and everyone in between. It’s fun, social, and easy to learn—but […]

A Causal Link Between Cholesterol Accumulation and Retinal Degeneration 

This Research Insight covers a recent publication from the Apte Lab. Here, we highlight how Ryo Terao, MD, PhD, Mitsukuni Yoshida, MD, PhD, and colleagues explore how excessive cholesterol accumulation in the retina contributes to the degeneration of light-sensing photoreceptors, leading to vision loss. The evidence presented in this study suggests that targeting a process […]

Does the Laser in LASIK Burn the Eyes?

If you’ve ever considered LASIK surgery, you may have wondered: Does the laser burn my eyes? It’s a common concern, and according to Dr. Stephen Wexler from the WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center, the answer is no. “One of the things I hear about from patients very often after their LASIK surgery is the smell […]

WashU Medicine Shines at NANOS 2025

St. Louis, MO — March 31, 2025 — WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences had a remarkable showing at the 2025 North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting in Tucson, AZ. NANOS, a leading organization dedicated to advancing knowledge, research, and training in neuro-ophthalmology, brings together experts from around […]

Lee Named New Head of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences (Links to an external site)

Aaron Y. Lee, MD, a physician-scientist at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence (AI) to ophthalmology research and patient care, has been named the head of the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor in Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. His appointment begins […]