Faculty and students from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine made a strong impact at the 2026 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) annual meeting. Their work spanned cutting-edge surgical approaches, better treatment strategies for childhood eye conditions, and innovations in how pediatric eye care is delivered and taught. Each project reflects our department’s commitment to advancing vision care for children through science and collaboration.
Research presentations highlighted real-world challenges families face when a child has a serious eye condition. Nicholas Faron, DO, Lawrence Tychsen, MD, James Hoekel, OD and colleagues shared outcomes for children with severe farsightedness receiving phakic intraocular lenses, exploring options for those who may not benefit from glasses or contacts alone.
Cameron Martin, BA, Dante Graham, Margaret Reynolds, MD, MSCI, Andrew Lee, MD examined the timing of cataract surgery after traumatic eye injury, while William C. Carter and Lawrence Tychsen, MD, compared treatment outcomes for different forms of deprivation amblyopia (a type of “lazy eye” that develops when the brain does not get clear visual input early in life).
Workshops led by Andrew Lee, MD, and collaborators focused on successful medical student mentorship in pediatric ophthalmology, helping to train the next generation of eye specialists. In another session, Gregg Lueder, MD, and national colleagues shared practical strategies for making clinic visits smoother and more positive for children, families, and care teams. Together, these efforts underscore how WashU Medicine combines research, education, and compassionate care to improve children’s vision and quality of life.
AAPOS is the main national forum for sharing pediatric ophthalmology research and skills, and the work we presented highlights our group’s expertise across a wide range of areas within pediatric ophthalmology. I’m particularly proud of the work our students presented.
Andrew R. Lee, MD
