Free Eye Service provides vision screenings at First Ladies of St. Louis Health Empowerment Event

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 […]

Distinct cell types exhibit innate resilience in the retina post-injury

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 […]

Mutations to CRX alter DNA binding to drive multiple inherited retinopathies

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 […]

Featured Fellows and Residents Spotlight: Sharon Sabapathypillai, MD, MS

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 […]

Featured Fellows and Residents Spotlight: Jessica Sun, MD

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 […]

Featured Fellows and Residents Spotlight: Kathryn Flaharty, MD

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 […]

Featured Fellows and Residents Spotlight: Olivia Cummings, MD, MSc

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 […]

Featured Fellows and Residents Spotlight: Krishna Mallem, MD

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 […]

Residents and Fellows Spotlight: Deena Shaath, MD

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 […]

Residents and Fellows Spotlight: Howard Chen, MD

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 […]

Residents and Fellows Spotlight: Mary-Grace Reeves, MD, MBA

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 […]

Residents and Fellows Spotlight: Aaditya Shah, MD

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 […]

Understanding the Impact of Glaucoma Diagnosis on Mental Health

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 […]

Fireworks Safety for Summer

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 […]

WashU Medicine Celebrates the Winners of the 2025 Winston Fellow Competition

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 […]

Andrew Lee, MD, graduates from WashU Medicine’s Pivotal Leaders Program

Andrew Lee, MD, graduates from WashU Medicine's Pivotal Leaders Program

St. Louis, MO — May 23, 2025—WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to announce that Andrew Lee, MD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Director of Medical Student Education for Ophthalmology, graduated from the first cohort of WashU Medicine’s Pivotal Leaders Program for Division Chiefs and Section Heads. This […]

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. […]

Dr. Todd Margolis Shares Expertise on Ocular Diseases

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 diseases, such as, ocular surface disease, viral uveitis, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. University of Colorado Department of Ophthalmology – April […]