JULY 2025

Pioneering the Future of Eye Care

José-Alain Sahel, MD

Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology

Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair,

The University of Pittsburgh

Director, Vision Institute

Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology, Sorbonne Université

While 2024 was a landmark year, 2025 has the potential to surpass it. We made strides in all areas, with our research success reflected in a NIH ranking of fifth compared to eighth last year, and 25^th a few years ago.

One of our many clinical accomplishments was to collaborate with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) to establish an international vision institute. This joint lab will be one of INSERM’s first partnerships outside Europe. We also continued to develop a digital twin model, which is helping with individualized treatment and safety monitoring.

In a short time, the first artificial iris procedure will be done in Pittsburgh; there are only three places that offer this option. Several patients are waiting for this much-needed reconstructive procedure. We have now recruited excellent experts in eye tumors and these clinics are very busy.

Global Ranking

The University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine is #12 in CEOWORLD Magazine's global rankings for 2025, reflecting the unwavering commitment of our talented faculty and staff who advance our mission every day.

On the Screen

2025 Future Vision Laureate

Congratulations to José-Alain Sahel, MD, who received the 2025 Future Vision Laureate Award from the Future Vision Foundation. The awards ceremony marked the world premiere of the Laureate films.

Watch the documentary about Dr. Sahel

Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Helps Plant UPMC's Sensory Garden

For the last three years, the rehabilitation garden at the UPMC Vision Institute has been in the hands of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. KDKA-TV's Josh Taylor reports. Watch the video

In the News

NetraMind Innovations Now Official

A company founded by four faculty members in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh is now official. Read More

Optic Nerve Research Update

Many diseases ultimately lead to blindness due to optic nerve damage. Read More

Phenomenology and Vision Loss

Thanks to the support of the Hillman Foundation to the Department of Ophthalmology, a partnership between Duquesne University Department of Philosophy and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology is helping to understand vision loss and improve patient care. Read More

Progress in Artificial Vision

Maybe you’re familiar with the toy Lite-Brite. Picture a kid at the kitchen table plugging backlit yellow pegs into a board to make the outline of a sun with a smiley face. At age 4, she’s proud of her art, and her parents probably think she’s a genius. But then she haphazardly fills in most of the holes inside and around the sun with more yellow pegs. Now it looks like a bright yellow blob. Read More

A Focused Approach to Treating Rare Ocular Diseases

Orphan eye conditions present several unique challenges but addressing them is just par for the course at the Department of Ophthalmology at the UPMC Vision Institute. Read More

Virginia Montanez Discovers the Vision Institute

Virginia Montanez recently discovered the one-stop-shop ophthalmology jewel in Pittsburgh that is the Vision Institute at UPMC Mercy. Read More

Faculty News

Xing Chen Wins Funding for New Project

Andrew Williams, MD, was selected as a Pennsylvania Medical Society Top Physician Under 40.

José-Alain Sahel, MD, is the 2025 recipient of the Proctor Medal from ARVO, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and named as a member of the Academia Europea, the pan-European Academy of Humanities, Letters, and Sciences.

Dr. Sahel was also named Executive Vice President of UPMC Enterprises and will serve as Chief of UPMC’s Health Technology Advancement Program (HTAP), a new initiative within UPMC Enterprises designed to capitalize on the innovative culture that exists across the entire organization.

New Faculty

Published March 2025: The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh recently welcomed three new faculty members. Meet them here! Read More

Published July 2025: The Department of Ophthalmology has been able to recruit several excellent clinicians in ocular oncology, retinal diseases and surgery, comprehensive ophthalmology and oculoplastics, and just completed the recruitment of several new recruits, further strengthening our research teams. Read More

Webinar Recordings

Vision and Down Syndrome

Personalized Refractive Surgery - LASIK and ICL

Restoring Vision with Optogenetics

Ophthalmology Clinical Trials

Current Updates in Optic Nerve Regeneration Research

All Recordings

The Eye & Ear Foundation

The Eye & Ear Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh through the generous support of individuals and organizations.

In supporting these world-class Departments, we hold ourselves to the same high standards. We plan to keep moving forward, expanding our support network, and helping the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery stand peerless in the distinction of research and education and, ultimately, the highest level of care provided to our patients.

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