January 1, 2025
As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the new year, I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of the Department of Ophthalmology over the past year and express my optimism for an even better 2025.
We’ve seen consistent growth, including the recruitment of several new faculty members, and continued groundbreaking research in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, inherited eye diseases, and more.
This year we welcome Drs. Tina Hendricks (R ‘24) and Tahreem Mir to our faculty as Assistant Professors. Dr. Hendricks finished her residency at Iowa in June of 2024 before seeking new educational opportunities in Africa and South Dakota. She will join our comprehensive and cataract service. Dr. Mir, the newest member of our retina service, joins us after completing her residency at the Yale School of Medicine and a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University. She also completed a a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she served as Associate Director of the Retinal Imaging Research and Reading Center. We also look forward to the onboarding of Dr. Leigh Rettenmaier in Neuro Ophthalmology, scheduled for late summer 2025.
2024 was a landmark year for breakthroughs in ophthalmology research. Our department has been at the forefront of several transformative advancements. The University of Iowa's Ophthalmology Department is leading innovative research and clinical trials to advance eye care. Dr. Michael Abràmoff and Dr. David Friedman, of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute, in collaboration with Digital Diagnostics, are using AI to improve glaucoma treatment. Dr. Elliott Sohn and Dr. Milan Sonka are leveraging AI to predict the effectiveness of anti-VEGF treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Dr. Mark Greiner is working with Evolucare to develop measures for assessing Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy progression, potentially reducing the need for corneal transplants. Additionally, Dr. Matthew Harper and Dr. Mona Garvin are using AI to analyze retina texture, providing insights into traumatic brain injuries and glaucoma progression.
The department's translational science efforts are uncovering genetic causes of eye diseases. Dr. Oliver Gramlich is studying cholesterol's role in optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis, while Dr. Markus Kuehn is exploring T-cell mediated damage in glaucoma. Under Dr. Edwin Stone's leadership, the Institute of Vision Research is investigating genetic mutations in inherited eye diseases. Dr. John Fingert, Dr. Robert Mullins, Dr. Seongjin Seo, and Dr. Budd Tucker are also contributing to this genetic research, focusing on glaucoma, macular degeneration, and gene therapy for inherited eye diseases.
Researchers like Dr. Arlene Drack, Dr. Alina Dumitrescu, Dr. Ian Han, and Dr. Stephen Russell are pioneering treatments for rare inherited eye diseases, including achromatopsia, albinism, and retinitis pigmentosa. The department hosts numerous clinical trials, such as the DEKS Trial for endothelial loss post-DMEK surgery and the NAC Attack for retinitis pigmentosa. Upcoming trials include new treatments for XLRS and Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, as well as innovative glaucoma devices. The University of Iowa's Ophthalmology Department continues to push the boundaries of vision science.
With all that we’ve accomplished in 2024, we’re gearing up for an even bigger and better 2025, as we’ll be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the department. We started planning for our department’s 100th anniversary long ago, and we’re excited that 2025 is finally here. We plan on sending out stories, videos and alumni interviews throughout the year that highlight the major accomplishments of the department. We are hosting a Centennial Celebration in conjunction with our annual Iowa Eye meeting and alumni reunion starting on the evening of Thursday, June 12th and going through Saturday, June 14th. We’ve already had a good number of alumni register to join us for these events. Whether you can make it or not, we welcome alumni to record a short message about a memory from their time at Iowa.
As we look forward to 2025, we remain committed to our mission of excellence in patient care, research, and education. I am confident that with the continued support of our alumni, we will achieve even greater heights. Your contributions and engagement are invaluable to our success, and I encourage you to stay connected with us.
Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of countless individuals.
Wishing you a prosperous new year,
Keith Carter
. Chair, University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences