Ophthalmology And Visual Sciences

Vanderbilt University has launched a regenerative visual neuroscience initiative to develop new ways of treating — and restoring sight to — people who have been blinded by glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and eye injuries. Read More

Understanding the cellular and molecular responses of the eye to blast injury could guide new treatment development. Read More

Virtual reality environments are a common feature used in the aviation industry to train pilots, and now they’re also proving to be a very effective tool in educating the next generation of ophthalmological surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Read More

An ion channel protein called TRIPV1 helps retinal neurons survive the elevated eye pressure associated with glaucoma. Read More

Cold weather can be rough on skin, drying it out and making it itchy and uncomfortable, but winter can also be harsh on another part of body—the eyes. During the winter months, the air outside and indoors is typically dry. The lack of moisture can… Read More

The American Association of Certified Orthoptists (AACO) recently presented Ronald Biernacki, associate in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt, the Lancaster Award, the highest award an orthoptist can receive. Read More

John Penn, Ph.D., vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt, has been named to the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Scientific Advisory Panel. Read More

A panel of metabolites – small molecules that are part of metabolic processes – that are unique to macular degeneration will shed light on the disease and aid diagnosis. Read More

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) recently awarded a $110,000 grant to Vanderbilt’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in support of research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding diseases. Read More

When it comes to damaging sun rays, skin protection is a top priority for many. But there is another area that needs to be brought into focus – the eyes. Read More

Vanderbilt experts suggest parents start early in establishing healthy eye care routines for their children, including babies who also need to wear sunglasses with UV protection. When it comes to damaging sun rays, skin protection is a top priority for many. But there is another area that… Read More

Glaucoma-causing mutations in the gene for myocilin reduce secretion of the protein into the aqueous humor, suggesting a new option for treatment. Read More

John Penn, Ph.D., vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt, is seeking to change the way retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide, is treated. Read More

The American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) recently revised the guidelines for reporting the results from studies of preschool vision screening instruments. Read More

Winter may be slowly giving way to spring, but the remaining cold days of the season can cause plenty of trouble for the eyes—trouble that is largely avoidable, says a Vanderbilt Eye Institute ophthalmologist. Read More

Tonia Rex, Ph.D., assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, was recently named one of 10 winners of the National Institutes of Health competition for ideas on the future of vision research. Read More

Three Vanderbilt University Medical Center faculty members have been awarded grants from the American Health Assistance Foundation to support their research on glaucoma and macular degeneration — the two leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world. Read More

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is mourning the loss of longtime faculty member Denis O’Day, M.D., director of the School of Medicine’s Emphasis Program and professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Read More

Twelve Vanderbilt University faculty members were honored for extraordinary contributions to their respective fields during an Aug. 28 celebration of endowed chair holders at the Student Life Center. Read More

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that the pulvinar, a mysterious structure buried in the center of our brains, determines how we see the world — and whether we see at all. Read More