WashU Medicine Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

04/30/2026

WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is proud to continue its commitment to advancing patient care through education with our annual Spring Update.

This premier event brings together the latest clinical insights and innovations in eye care—all focused on improving patient outcomes!

WashU Medicine 37th Annual Ophthalmology Spring Update with key speakers Russell Van Gelder, MD, Gary Lelli, MD, Douglas Rhee, MD

04/24/2026

Research from WashU Medicine is helping shape national conversations on fall prevention, highlighted in a recent The New York Times feature on a large-scale clinical trial led by Susan Stark, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA.

Mae Gordon, PhD, served as co-principal investigator on the study, building on foundational work conducted at WashU Medicine.

WashU Medicine researcher Mae Gordon, PhD, contributed to a landmark fall prevention study featured in The New York Times, advancing patient safety and care.

04/22/2026

2026 ARVO presenter list 🎉⬇️

Faculty and trainees from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, are heading to ARVO's Annual Meeting, taking place May 3–7, to showcase their latest discoveries and innovations in vision science.

As one of the world’s leading gatherings of researchers and clinicians dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing eye disease, ARVO provides a global stage for breakthrough ideas—and our team is proud to be part of the conversation.

WashU Medicine Ophthalmology researchers will present cutting-edge vision science at ARVO 2026, highlighting innovation in patient care and research.

04/17/2026

An evening of hands-on learning in our new wet lab 🔬 paired with dinner overlooking Hudlin Park.

Thank you to our partners at Alcon and Corza for helping support the future of ophthalmic surgery!

04/16/2026

Faculty and students from the John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences had a meaningful presence at the 2026 AAPOS- American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) Annual Meeting.

Their contributions highlighted advances in surgical techniques, new approaches to treating pediatric eye conditions, and forward-thinking strategies in the delivery and education of pediatric eye care.

WashU pediatric ophthalmology shines at national AAPOS meeting

04/10/2026

WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, congratulates Steven Couch, MD, FACS, on being selected as a recipient of the 2026 Dean’s Impact Award.

Dr. Couch is a highly respected orbital and oculofacial plastic surgeon whose dedication to excellence and patient-centered care exemplifies the spirit of this honor. As one of the highest-volume orbital surgeons in the region, he provides expert care for a wide range of complex conditions, including orbital tumors, trauma, thyroid eye disease, and advanced reconstructive cases.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of Dr. Couch’s outstanding contributions to patient care and the field of ophthalmology!

WashU Medicine is proud to announce that Steven M. Couch, MD, FACS, has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Dean’s Impact Award.

04/09/2026

New research from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, is shedding light on how retinal neurons adapt their metabolism to sustain vision and respond to disease.

Led by Philip Williams, PhD, Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, and graduate student Zelun Wang, this study offers valuable insight into the science behind eye health and disease.

A new study from the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by  Philip Williams, Ph.D., Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, and graduate student Zelun Wang, offers important insight into how retinal neurons adapt their metabolism to sustain vision and respond ...

04/03/2026

Cecilia S. Lee, MD, MS, and Department Chair Aaron Y. Lee, MD, MSCI will be presenting for the Cogan Award Lecture at on May 6th!

Join us at on May 6 for the Cogan Award Lecture featuring Cecilia Lee and Aaron Lee (WashU Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis) as they share insights on using big data and machine learning to advance our understanding of . Learn more: https://bit.ly/4c1cXUm
ARVO

04/03/2026

The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences was well-represented at the North American Neuro Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) 2026 Annual Meeting, with a contingent of nine faculty members, residents, and medical students contributing to the scientific program.

Department members earn leadership grants, keynote honors, and abstract awards at the neuro-ophthalmology annual meeting.

WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences faculty and students earned top honors and presented key research at the NANOS 2026 Annual Meeting.

03/31/2026

So great to have Bruce D. Levy, MD, on campus last week! A St. Louis native with vision and warmth — what an exciting moment for our incoming dean. We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Levy this July. 👏 https://medicine.washu.edu/news/washu-medicine-celebrates-its-next-dean/

03/30/2026

A clinical trial led by Margaret Reynolds, MD, MSCI, at WashU Medicine’s John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences explored how vision correction surgery may do more than improve eyesight—it may also positively impact behavior and everyday life.

For children with ASD who cannot tolerate traditional vision correction, these findings show surgery may offer a safe way to improve visual function.

03/27/2026

Shiming Chen, PhD, is spearheading research to understand and treat CRX-associated retinopathies.

These inheritable blinding diseases are caused by mutations in the CRX (cone-rod homeobox) gene. This critical transcription factor regulates the development and maintenance of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Currently, there is no available treatment for these conditions, which vary widely in severity and age of onset.

Shiming Chen, PhD, and the Chen Lab at WashU Medicine are developing innovative gene therapies and human retinal models to treat CRX-associated blinding diseases.