Friendly competition strengthens community across the department Members of the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine gathered for the annual Faculty vs. Residents Kickball Showdown, continuing a department tradition that brings together residents, fellows, and faculty for an evening of friendly competition and camaraderie. After a hard-fought game, […]
The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine proudly announces the winners of the 2026 Winston Fellow Competition. This annual event showcases outstanding research contributions from postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients. Winners of the 2026 Winston Fellow Awards ITVS Graduate […]
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. […]
An increase in gap years may be a cause for concern for the nation’s growing doctor shortage A new publication by WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by physicians Cynthia L. Montana, MD, PhD, and Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, examines how today’s medical training path may be […]
WashU Medicine’s student-run mobile eye clinic joined community partners to offer free vision screenings at an event attended by more than 800 people Volunteers from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences’ Free Eye Service participated in the Fifth Annual First Ladies of St. Louis Health Empowerment Event last […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Kathryn Flaharty, MD. Incoming Resident: Kathryn Flaharty, MD Where are you from? Fort Myers, Florida Where did you attend Medical School? University of Michigan Medical School Favorite memory of […]
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 Olivia Cummings, MD, MSc. Incoming Resident: Olivia Cummings, MD, MSc Where are you from? New York Where did you attend Medical School? The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown […]
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 Krishna Mallem, MD. Incoming Resident: Krishna Mallem, MD Where are you from? Plainsboro, New Jersey Where did you attend Medical School? Drexel University College of Medicine Favorite memory of […]
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 Deena Shaath,MD. Graduating Fellow: Deena Shaath, MD What are your future plans? I’m moving to Orlando for a private practice job! Why did you choose Ophthalmology and Cornea? Ophthalmology […]
Introducing the Chief of Ophthalmic Trauma, Residents and Fellows
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 Howard Chen, MD. Graduating Resident: Howard Chen, MD What are your plans for the future? Cataract and refractive surgery fellowship. Why did you choose Ophthalmology/WashU Medicine? I chose WashU […]
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 Mary-Grace Reeves, MD, MBA. Graduating Resident: Mary-Grace Reeves, MD, MBA What are your future plans? Vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Why did you choose Ophthalmology/WashU […]
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 Aaditya Shah, MD. Graduating Fellow: Aaditya Shah, MD What are your future plans? Starting private practice in the Chicagoland area, specifically the Northwest Indiana suburbs. Why did you choose […]
St. Louis, MO – June 18, 2025 – A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology sheds light on the correlation between the diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the mental health decline in patients who were previously diagnosed with ocular hypertension. Conducted as part of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, this research underscores the imperative […]
Summer brings a high risk of fireworks injuries. Most high-risk injuries occur between mid-June and mid-July. This year, stay safe by leaving fireworks to the professionals. If you’re near fireworks, make sure everyone — users and bystanders — wears eye protection that meets ANSI safety standards. Most fireworks-related deaths are caused by unsafe handling, but […]
St. Louis, MO — May 30, 2025 — The John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at WashU Medicine proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Winston Fellow Competition. This annual event showcases outstanding research contributions from postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients. Winners […]