UW-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

UW-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences We are the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Overview
Chair – Terri L.

The Department is a global leader in sight saving discovery. We are proud of our strong research history, exceptional patient care and forward-thinking training for the ophthalmologists of tomorrow. Young, MD, MBA
Clinical Faculty – 35+
Research Faculty – 20+
Optometrists – 9
Endowed Professorships – 7

Ophthalmology faculty, learners, and staff teamed up on May 15 to offer a half-day learning opportunity for local high s...
05/29/2026

Ophthalmology faculty, learners, and staff teamed up on May 15 to offer a half-day learning opportunity for local high school students. Under the direction of Cat Burkat, MD, FACS, "Odyssey Into Ophthalmology" provided the students with lectures, discussions, games, and hands-on activities.

Graduation is just around the corner 🎓We're kicking off our Graduation Spotlight Series with none other than our incredi...
05/27/2026

Graduation is just around the corner 🎓
We're kicking off our Graduation Spotlight Series with none other than our incredible Chief Resident, Dr. Rushi Mankad!

Dr. Mankad will be joining Houston Eye Associates Houston, Texas.

Join us in celebrating his achievements as he wraps up residency and steps into the next phase of his ophthalmology journey!

Amitha Domalpally, MD, PhD was named a Gold Fellow by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), a...
05/21/2026

Amitha Domalpally, MD, PhD was named a Gold Fellow by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and Mary Ann Croft was named a Silver Fellow.

The title of Fellow of ARVO (FARVO) is an honor established to recognize current ARVO members for their individual accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the Association.

ARVO Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in vision and ophthalmology research and help further ARVO's vision "…to advance research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders," which includes advancing basic and clinical knowledge and serving as the leading international forum for vision research and the primary advocate for vision science worldwide.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping everyday life—and for people who are blind or have low vision, it hold...
05/19/2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping everyday life—and for people who are blind or have low vision, it holds growing promise as a tool for greater independence.

At UW, a cross-disciplinary team is working to turn that promise into practical solutions. Led by DOVS and Computer Sciences, the AI-Assisted Vision Workshop on Intelligent Assistive Technologies for Blind and Low Vision Individuals brings together researchers, clinicians, technologists, and community members to rethink how assistive tools are designed.

“Most low vision aids have historically been developed by sighted researchers,” said Sanbrita Mondal, OD, Chief of Vision Rehabilitation Services in DOVS. “We’re working to change that by directly engaging people with low vision to better understand their daily challenges and priorities.”

Yuhang Zhao, PhD, assistant professor of computer sciences and principal investigator on the project, emphasizes the urgency of the work.

“Low vision is a complex and widespread condition that affects millions of people, yet it remains underrepresented in technology research,” Dr. Zhao said. “To create truly effective tools, we need a deeper understanding of users’ lived experiences and the flexibility to design technologies that adapt to their environments and preferences.”

The team is focused on addressing challenges that arise in dynamic, real-world settings—such as cooking a meal or navigating a crowded street. These tasks require constant movement and interaction with objects, where traditional aids like magnification often fall short by distorting vision or obscuring critical details.

Learn more: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/2026/05/14/ai-assisted-low-vision-workshop/

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to eye and...
05/15/2026

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to eye and vision research, with nearly 12,000 members representing more than 60 countries. Its annual meeting is the premier gathering for eye and vision scientists, students, and affiliated professionals to share the latest research discoveries and collaborate on innovative solutions advancing the field.

We were proud to have many colleagues presenting at this year’s ARVO Annual Meeting, held May 3–7 in Denver, Colorado. In total, DOVS faculty, staff, and learners participated in 34 mini symposia, poster sessions, paper presentations, and award recognitions throughout the conference.

Department Chair Terri Young, MD, MBA, was also selected to serve as president of ARVO for the 2026–27 term, which officially began at the close of the meeting.

For C. Joseph Anderson, MD, a career in medicine is something to be grateful for. For the patients who trusted him. For ...
05/12/2026

For C. Joseph Anderson, MD, a career in medicine is something to be grateful for. For the patients who trusted him. For the colleagues and mentors who shaped him. And for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he trained, taught, and built the foundation for a life’s work.

Dr. Anderson completed his ophthalmology residency at U.W. in 1977, followed by fellowship training in corneal and inflammatory eye diseases at Indiana University School of Medicine. He then returned to Madison and joined Davis Duehr, which later became part of Dean Clinic.

He would go on to spend decades at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field.

“When I started, cataract surgery involved large incisions and long needles,” he said. “By the time I finished, we were using tiny incisions and often just eye drops for anesthesia.”

Over the course of his career, Dr. Anderson helped drive those advances. He played a key role in advancing small-incision cataract surgery and pioneering the use of topical anesthetics. He was also among the first ophthalmologists in Wisconsin to perform intraocular lens implantation using multifocal lenses and an early adopter of LASIK technology.

Now, together, the Andersons are focused on giving back to the institutions that have shaped their lives. Their support of UW—Madison includes funding a student-athlete scholarship and supporting a named professorship at DOVS.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “It’s important to show gratitude for the people and places that shape your path—including the University of Wisconsin—Madison, which did so much for me and my family.”

Learn more: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/2026/05/07/dr-c-joseph-anderson-profile/

The Carl & Mary Ann Berg Education Fund supports learners at UW DOVS as they train to become the next generation of opht...
05/08/2026

The Carl & Mary Ann Berg Education Fund supports learners at UW DOVS as they train to become the next generation of ophthalmology leaders, educators, and innovators. Your generosity helps provide educational opportunities, mentorship, and experiences that shape the future of vision care.

Make your gift today and help invest in the future of vision.

Donate here: https://secure.supportuw.org/give/?id=a1JVQ000002jlkn2AA

For more than two decades, T. Michael Nork, MD, has been a familiar face on the advisory board of the Lions Eye Bank of ...
05/06/2026

For more than two decades, T. Michael Nork, MD, has been a familiar face on the advisory board of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin (LEBW). As a retina specialist with UW Health and a professor at UW DOVS, he has spent years supporting LEBW’s mission to recover and transplant corneal tissue—helping ensure that surgeons across Wisconsin have the tissue they need to save sight.

Fast forward to 2025. Dr. Nork’s connection to LEBW took on a deeply personal dimension: he became a corneal transplant recipient.

He reached out to longtime colleague and respected cornea surgeon, Sarah Nehls, MD. “All the cataract surgeons at UW are excellent,” Dr. Nork said. “But I had personally witnessed Dr. Nehls in action on complicated cases. I knew she didn’t get flustered when problems arose. And operating on a colleague is particularly stressful. I knew she had the ability and experience to handle it—especially if any complications occurred, which in my case, they did.”

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), a minimally invasive corneal transplant that replaces only the diseased endothelial layer was used to fix complications with Dr. Nork's left eye.

“I am so appreciative of Dr. Nehls and Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin,” he added. “I can’t thank them enough. I often ask myself—what had I been missing all this time!”

Learn more: https://www.ophth.wisc.edu/blog/2026/04/28/michael-nork-lebw/

This weekend at the North American Society of Academic Orbital Surgeons (NASAOS) annual meeting in Palos Verdes, Califor...
05/01/2026

This weekend at the North American Society of Academic Orbital Surgeons (NASAOS) annual meeting in Palos Verdes, California, Dr Lucarelli presented the Dortzbach lecture, titled, “Non-Surgical Treatment of Facial Synkinesis: Lessons from a 30 Year Partnership.” This lecture is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a NASAOS member. It was named in honor of Professor Emeritus Dr Richard Dortzbach, who was a pioneer and a major driving force in the field of orbital surgery. Pictured here are Dr Lucarelli (middle) with DOVS alum and NASAOS founder Dr. Alon Kahana (left), and current DOVS faculty and NASAOS program chair, Dr. Suzanne van Landingham (right).

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Potter for being named a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly. Castle Connolly Top Doctors are p...
04/29/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Heather Potter for being named a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly. Castle Connolly Top Doctors are peer-nominated, and thoroughly vetted by our physician-led research team. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills.

DOVS was well represented at the UW–Madison Global Health Symposium on April 8. In all, 8 individuals contributed to an ...
04/24/2026

DOVS was well represented at the UW–Madison Global Health Symposium on April 8. In all, 8 individuals contributed to an astounding five poster presentations. Attendees included undergraduate students Ngawang Namru and Justin Lima; medical students David Aguilar, Vibhusha Kolli, and Chloe Stevens; ophthalmology resident Caroline Kim; and education administrators Tetyana Schneider and Lily Frehner.

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Madison, WI
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