WashU Medicine Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

12/25/2025

Wishing you warmth, joy, and laughter this holiday season and throughout the coming year! ✨🎁☃

12/17/2025

Congratulations to our Chiefs of Ophthalmic Trauma and Fellows on matching at WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences! 🎉

We are incredibly proud of your hard work, dedication, and this exciting next chapter. Wishing you continued success as you advance your training and careers! 👏

12/12/2025

Please take a moment to check out this remarkable feature on Poonam Naik, PhD, MS — a postdoctoral associate at WashU Medicine, John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in the Apte Lab — highlighted by ARVO.

Her work and dedication to vision research are truly inspiring! 👏

I am originally from India, where I completed my PhD at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad studying endophthalmitis. After my doctorate, I moved to the United States for postdoctoral training at the Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, Md., and later at the Washington University in St. Louis, Mo...

12/10/2025

Great news for parents! 💙

The FDA has just approved Essilor’s Stellest eyeglass lenses — the first in the U.S. designed to help slow the progression of nearsightedness in kids ages 6–12. This is a big step forward for families looking for proven ways to protect their children’s vision and long-term eye health.

The FDA has authorized the first eyeglass lenses to slow pediatric myopia progression. Mark Rallo, OD, shares why this new option is an important step in children’s eye care.

12/08/2025

A new publication from WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, led by Cynthia L. Montana, MD, PhD, and Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, takes a closer look at how today’s long and complex medical training path may be adding to the nation’s growing doctor shortage.

👀 An important read for anyone interested in the future of health care!

Cynthia L. Montana, MD, PhD, and Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, explain how gap years may be worsening the nation’s physician shortage.

12/04/2025

Science moves forward because people do. We’re excited to share the new issue of Outlook magazine, which shows what’s possible when courage, compassion, curiosity, and collaboration come together. Take a look inside.

🔗https://outlook.washu.edu/

12/04/2025

Congratulations, Dr. Apte! ✨👏

The Gold Medal is among the Society’s highest recognitions and is reserved for individuals whose work has transformed the understanding and treatment of eye disease.

Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, received the Gold Medal from the Saudi Ophthalmology Society for his lifetime contributions to vision science and retinal disease research.

12/03/2025

In collaboration with St. Louis University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, Bassnett Lab researchers have measured the biomechanical properties of mutant zonular fibers. Their findings indicate that mutant fibrillin weakens the Zonule, making it more prone to rupture.

Research from the Bassnett Lab explores the role of fibrillin-rich zonular fibers in vision, genetic disorders like Marfan syndrome, and potential treatments that may strengthen both ocular and vascular health.

11/28/2025

This Research Insight covers a publication from the Bassnett Lab.

Here, we highlight how findings by Pooja Rathaur, PhD, and colleagues have contributed to our understanding of how the fibrous molecules that comprise the zonular fibers of the eye support vision.

Pooja Rathaur, PhD, and colleagues manipulated zonular fibers in the mouse eye to test the physical limits of stretching.

11/24/2025

This November, Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Month highlights a leading cause of preventable blindness. At WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, we’re moving beyond awareness—driving innovation, discovery, and early intervention.

Our researchers are developing tools to detect diabetic retinopathy sooner, understand it better, and help prevent vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Month calls attention to one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. At the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, researchers are taking the conversation a step further shifting the focus from awareness to innovation...

11/20/2025

WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences welcomes Sanjana Shashidhar, OD, to the pediatric optometry team.

Shashidhar brings a rich background, diverse clinical interests, and a wealth of experience and dedication to patient care. Welcome to the team! 👏✨

We are excited to welcome Sanjana Shashidhar, OD to WashU Medicine Optometry. With expertise in strabismus, amblyopia, myopia management, and learning related vision disorders, Shashidhar brings a profound commitment to patient care and vision health. Discover more about her background and clinical....

11/18/2025

WashU Medicine ophthalmologist and retina disease specialist Cecilia S. Lee, MD, MS, says early detection and regular eye exams are essential for people with diabetes because vision loss can go undetected.

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of vision problems caused by diabetes.