This Research Insight covers a publication from the Williams Lab. Here, we highlight how Allison Hall and colleagues unveiled the cellular identity of a retinal ganglion cell that innately survives well following injury to the optic nerve. They further explored cellular factors that could help explain the resilience of these cells to offer insights into […]
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 […]
Honored for ongoing service with Health Protection & Education Services at University City Library Ying-Bo Shui, MD, PhD, Senior Scientist at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, accepted an award in September on behalf of colleagues and trainees from the WashU Eye Centers. The recognition, presented at the Health […]
28,000-square-foot renovation brings teams together to drive the future of ophthalmology St. Louis, MO — September 25, 2025 — The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences has officially opened its state-of-the-art vision research hub on the 9th floor of the McDonnell Medical Sciences Building (MMSB). The milestone was celebrated […]
This Research Insight covers a study from the Chen Lab. Here, we highlight a proposed model for retinal degeneration based on binding activity of the Cone-Rod Homeobox transcription factor, CRX. In this study published in eLife, researchers in the lab of Shiming Chen, PhD, Dr. Bernard and Janet R. Becker Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at […]
Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, and team named Phase 1 finalists in the NIH S-Index Challenge for developing a novel metric to reward high-quality data sharing. St. Louis, MO — September 16, 2025 — We are excited to share that Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI, Arthur W. Stickle Distinguished Professor and Chairman of the WashU Medicine […]
Faculty from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences will present at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, October 17–20, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. The AAO Annual Meeting is the world’s largest gathering of ophthalmologists, bringing together leading experts to share new research, clinical techniques, and innovations […]
Study identifies critical role of epigenetic regulation in rod photoreceptor specification Ismael Hernández-Núñez, PhD, researcher in the Clark lab at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and his laboratory recently published “Active DNA demethylation upstream of rod-photoreceptor fate determination is required for retinal development”. The study uncovers how changes […]
This spotlight series highlights the individuals behind the white coats, their journeys, passions, and the impact they’re making in the field of medicine. Today, we highlight Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD, MS. Incoming Glaucoma Fellow: Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD, MS Where are you from? Cape Girardeau, MO Where did you attend Medical School? University of Missouri-Kansas City Why […]
St. Louis, MO – September 10, 2025 – WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is spotlighting advances in corneal regeneration, offering new hope for patients living with vision impairment due to corneal scars and opacities. Corneal scars and opacities—often caused by trauma, infection, or chemical injury—are a leading cause […]
Dear Friends of WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Returning to St. Louis after more than a decade truly feels like coming home. This community has always held a special place for my family, and Cecilia and I are deeply grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received. We are […]
We are excited to announce that Takeshi Yoshimatsu, PhD has received his first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)! This prestigious five-year grant, which began on July 1, 2025, will support groundbreaking research titled: “Visual Feature Competition Between Central and Peripheral Retinal Pathways.” Why This Research Matters “Eye fixation is a critical […]
Autophagy Regulates Müller Glial Cell Inflammatory Activation A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science highlights the critical role of autophagy—the body’s process of recycling proteins—in regulating inflammation within the retina. The research, led by Thomas Ferguson, PhD, and Philip Ruzycki, PhD, from the John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual […]
This Research Insight covers a series of studies supported by Mae Gordon, PhD and Michael Kass, MD that highlights the impact of a long-term clinical study, the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS). Together, this research—spanning more than 20 years—has revolutionized the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), its treatment, and patient outcomes. In this series […]
One of the most common questions we hear from patients considering LASIK is: “Will I still need reading glasses afterward?” Stephen Wexler, MD, LASIK surgeon at WashU Medicine LASIK Surgery Center, explains that the answer depends largely on your age and your vision goals. Under 40: Freedom From Glasses If you’re under 40 and choose […]
This spotlight series highlights the individuals behind the white coats, their journeys, passions, and the impact they’re making in the field of medicine. Today, we highlight Jessica Sun, MD. Incoming Resident: Jessica Sun, MD Where are you from? Montreal, Canada and Potomac, Maryland Where did you attend Medical School? Harvard Medical School Favorite memory of […]
St. Louis, MO — August 27, 2025 — Researchers at the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in collaboration with the Department of Neurology have published new findings on the effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulation on the human retina. The study, led by the Apte Lab and published […]
St. Louis, MO – August 26, 2025 – John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine is proud to announce that Margret Reynolds, MD, has been awarded a highly competitive K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This award supports early-career clinician-scientists who […]
The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine welcomes Alexander Lyss, OD, to the clinical team. Lyss brings a unique background and a strong commitment to patient-centered eye care. Before pursuing optometry, Lyss worked as a chemist—but soon realized he wanted a career that allowed him to connect more […]
We’re excited to share a new publication from Josh Morgan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, titled “Alternative to the statistical mass confusion of testing for ‘no effect’”, published in the July 2025 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology. Morgan’s work challenges the traditional reliance on P values to determine whether an effect exists. While P […]