Annual Report 2022

> A note from our Chair

• Translating research from bench to clinic: Stanford clinician-scientists lead the way in cutting-edge clinical trials

• Solving the mysterious links between multiple sclerosis, optic neuritis and vision loss

• Pressure point: Liu lab seeks to identify the eye’s pressure sensors and how they drive glaucoma

• Stanford Center for Optic Disc Drusen hosts its first in-person symposium

• Discovering neural repair genes for glaucoma

• Providing premier service for eye misalignment in adults

• Investing for impact: Donor’s giving fueled by desire to advance the standard of care for glaucoma

• Philanthropic gift inspires research excellence: Dr. Michael Kapiloff named inaugural Reinhard Family Professor

• Celebrating Dr. Kuldev Singh

• Why give?

• Fighting infant blindness in sub-Saharan Africa

• Bringing advances in global eye care locally

• Expanding the Bay Area Ophthalmology Course

• Inaugural PILLAR retreat provides mentorship for residents underrepresented in medicine

• Meet our residents and fellows

• Select awards and honors

• Meet our active faculty and subspecialty care

A note from our Chair

Every year I am reminded of what a privilege is it to work alongside talented colleagues at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, and 2022 was no exception. This year we saw COVID-19 cases decrease and a sense of normalcy resume with reinvigorated productivity in research, increased delivery of patient care across all our subspecialties, and renewed live attendance at educational events, a feat made possible by the steps we took as a team and as a community. 

As I reflect on this past year, a few momentous achievements come to mind, including continuing to rank nationally in research funding and paving the way in creating innovative therapeutics through clinical trials (pages 4-9); hosting the Optic Disc Drusen Hybrid Conference (pages 14-15) and the Bay Area Ophthalmology Course (pages 30-31), both with in-person attendance for the first time since 2019; creating and hosting the inaugural Program In Lasting Leadership and Academic Representation (PILLAR), which provided intensive, in-person mentorship for targeted ophthalmology residents who identify as underrepresented in medicine (pages 32-33); studying how to transfer high-quality, low-cost global ophthalmology patient care into our local communities (pages 28-29); and escalating our innovative research efforts at the Mary M. and Sash A. Spencer Center for Vison Research at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford with renewed support of our generous philanthropic donors (pages 20-23).

It is an honor for me to witness daily the remarkable triumphs taking place here, and this department report will give you a glimpse into the devotion we pour into eye and vision healthcare for our patients, groundbreaking basic and translational research run by our clinician-scientists, and the training of the next generation of ophthalmologists and vision scientists.

With deepest gratitude, thank you to our donors, colleagues, staff, alumni, patients, and community for helping us build a preeminent department, as we strive to fulfill a reputation of excellence. It is a joy serving you! 

Jeffrey L. Goldberg, MD, PhD
Blumenkranz Smead Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology
Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University