Glaucoma Awareness Month shines a light on this “silent thief of sight,” a condition that often progresses without symptoms but can lead to irreversible vision loss. Below, we address the top five questions patients frequently ask about glaucoma, with insights from leading researchers and clinicians at WashU Medicine. 1. What is glaucoma, and how does […]
Philanthropic Gift Fuels Breakthroughs in Restorative Treatments for Hereditary Blindness ST. LOUIS, MO – November, 2024 — WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is proud to announce a generous $5 million investment from a Polish donor, aimed at advancing innovative genetic and stem cell research led by Shiming Chen, PhD, […]
We are honored to share inspiring stories from our patients who experience life-changing care. Claire, a remarkable young woman, shares her journey from being born legally blind to discovering a new world of possibilities after PRK surgery performed by Dr. Lawrence Tychsen, WashU Medicine pediatric ophthalmologist, at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Claire’s Story “Hi, I’m […]
ST. LOUIS, MO – December 17, 2024 — Mitsu Yoshida, MD, PhD, a researcher at WashU Medicine, has been named the recipient of the VitreoRetinal Surgery Foundation (VRSF) Research Fellowship. Yoshida’s project, titled “The role of adipokine-regulated lipid mediator in age-related retinal dysfunction and disease“, aims to uncover novel mechanisms linking systemic aging to retinal degeneration, […]
ST. LOUIS, MO – December 17, 2024 — Taku Yamamoto, MD, PhD, a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been honored with the Vision Research Scientific Foundation (VRSF) Award for his groundbreaking work on immunosenescence, the aging-related transition of the immune system. Yamamoto’s project focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying […]
Being Asian American by Rajendra Apte, MD, PhD What does it mean to be Asian American? This is a question that many who identify as Asian American often face whether they emigrated to the United States or were natural born citizens. Defined as a model minority, discriminated in academia or the business world as over-represented, […]
Henok Getahun Awarded Prestigious RPB Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship ST. LOUIS, MO – December 4, 2024 — Henok Getahun, WashU Medicine Medical Student, has been honored with the RPB Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship, a distinguished award that supports promising medical students in pursuing innovative research projects in ophthalmology. Getahun’s groundbreaking research focuses on a […]
December is a season of joy, but it’s also a critical time to prioritize safety. With the holidays in full swing and celebrations around the corner, parents and guardians must remain vigilant about protecting children’s eyes and overall well-being. In observance of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is spreading […]
On November 6, 2024, WashU Medicine hosted the installation ceremony of Shiming Chen, PhD, as the Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. Held in the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center’s Connor Auditorium, the ceremony honored both Dr. Chen’s groundbreaking contributions to the field and the enduring legacy of Dr. Bernard and […]
One of the most common questions people ask about LASIK is, “Does it last forever?” LASIK has given millions of people the freedom to see clearly without glasses or contacts, but understanding the longevity of LASIK results and the role of aging in vision changes can help set realistic expectations. In this blog, we’ll dive […]
November is Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a condition that remains a significant cause of blindness among adults. Affecting millions of people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, diabetic retinopathy develops when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. At WashU Medicine, researchers are leading […]
Carla and Mildred Reeves Foundation Awards $40,000 Grant to Dr. Rajendra S. Apte for Groundbreaking Research in Retinal Neurodegeneration St. Louis, MO – The Carla and Mildred Reeves Foundation has awarded a $40,000 grant to Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University School of […]
The John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine invites you to join us in celebrating the extraordinary career and enduring impact of Morton E. Smith, MD. Dr. Smith, Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Associate Dean Emeritus, continues to inspire as a living legend in the field […]
Drs. Ruzycki and Clark Awarded Nine-Month Research Grant from the Carl Marshall & Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation ST. LOUIS, MO – November 11, 2024 — The Carl Marshall & Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation has awarded a nine-month research grant to Philip Ruzycki, PhD and Brian Clark, PhD, supporting their groundbreaking project titled “Epigenetic Changes in […]
Cataract surgery is a highly effective way to restore clear vision after development of a cataract, but some patients still experience refractive errors after surgery, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. If you’ve had cataract surgery but still find yourself needing glasses or contacts, you may be wondering if LASIK or PRK is an option to […]
WashU Medicine’s Dr. Rajendra Apte receives $35,000 research grant award from the Macula Society to study the impact of the aging immune system on uveitis-related vision loss, aiming to discover targeted treatments for older patients. ST. LOUIS, MO – November 4, 2024 – Dr. Rajendra S. Apte, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]