2024: A YEAR IN REVIEW
BREAKTHROUGHS AND DISCOVERIES in ophthALMOLOGY

The Northwestern Medicine Department of Ophthalmology is proud to highlight this year’s significant research discoveries and clinical advances that have the potential to transform the field of eye care. This year has seen updated research on understanding diabetic retinopathy, addressing health disparities in eye care and developing innovative therapeutic targets for retinal diseases. We are also thrilled to announce that multiple staff members have received prestigious awards, and we have welcomed several talented faculty members to our team. Learn more about our 2024 achievements below.

RESEARCH DISCOVERIES

Northwestern University Awarded $3.4 Million to Study Main Cause of Blindness Among U.S. Minority Populations
​A five-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI) will support the Health Equity and Access to Leverage Technology for Improved Diabetic Retinopathy Outcomes (HEAL-DR) study, which aims to better understand what risk factors contribute to the disease among disproportionately affected Black and Latino populations.
 
ALSO: Social Determinants of Health Associated With Diabetic Eye-Care Quality
Genetic Mechanisms May Reveal Retinal Vascular Disease Therapeutic Targets
​Investigators have identified novel genetic mechanisms that regulate blood vessel growth in the retina and may also serve as therapeutic targets for retinal vascular disease, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Nature Communications.
Association of Race and Ethnicity With the Frequency of Outpatient Glaucoma Care
A study co-led by Angelo P. Tanna, MD, aimed to investigate the rates of outpatient follow-up for glaucoma management in the U.S, with a specific focus on the role of race and ethnicity. The study was published in Ophthalmology.
Breakthrough Insights Into White Blood Cells’ Role in Eye Inflammation
​Northwestern Medicine investigators have shed light on how white blood cells in the retina function during inflammation and possibly during retinal vascular diseases with inflammatory components such as diabetic retinopathy. These findings were the result of a study led by Jeremy Lavine, MD, PhD, and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
 
ALSO: Jeremy A. Lavine, MD, Selected for Elite NEI fellowship

CASE REPORTs

Case Report: Proton Beam Therapy for Complex Choroidal Melanoma
A 66-year-old female patient from Tennessee presented to her local optometrist with visual impairment in her left eye and was diagnosed with a retinal detachment. She was noted to have a melanocytic choroidal mass with overlying orange pigment with an exudative serous detachment, consistent with a choroidal melanoma. 
Case Report: Staircase Lamellar Macular Hole
A JAMA Ophthalmology case study by Manjot K. Gill, MD, and others describes the case of a 54-year-old male patient who presented for evaluation of a lamellar macular hole in his left eye. He had previously undergone surgery for a full-thickness macular hole in his right eye, two kidney transplants, and hearing loss since the age of 21.
 
ALSO: Manjot Gill, MD, Named Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation Research Award Recipient
Case Report: Bilateral Sixth Nerve Palsy
A young man presented to Nicholas J. Volpe, MD, 12 months after being injured in a skiing accident with a fractured sphenoid bone, complete bilateral sixth nerve palsy and a large angle esotropia.
Case Report: Eye Muscle Surgery for Severe Exotropia
Anne M. Langguth, MD, shares the case of a patient in his 20s with severe exotropia. Despite three previous eye muscle surgeries performed at other institutions, the patient continued to face challenges in maintaining eye contact, a consequence of persistent misalignment.
Case Report: Intraocular Foreign Body
A middle-aged woman presented to Jeremy Lavine, MD, PhD, after a piece of metal struck her eye, piercing the cornea, going through the iris and into the vitreous cavity. In the OR, Dr. Lavine removed the piece of metal. After removal, he had to make the decision to remove the lens completely or let the lens heal and perform cataract surgery at a later time.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Amani Fawzi, MD, Inducted Into the ASCI
​Amani Fawzi, MD, has been inducted into the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), one of the nation’s oldest medical honor societies.
 
ALSO: Amani Fawzi, MD, Receives the 2024 Bruno Lumbroso Lecture Award
Ophthalmology Sustainability Practices and Future Directions for Sustainability at Northwestern Medicine
In this Better Edge episode, David J. Palmer, MD, and Jeff Good, chief sustainability executive at Northwestern Medicine, discuss current and planned sustainability efforts at Northwestern Medicine, highlighting how the Ophthalmology Department has integrated them into daily operations.
Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Ophthalmology
The Northwestern Medicine Department of Ophthalmology is committed to ensuring equal access to eye care services and fostering an inclusive environment for all patients and staff.
Center for Engineering in Vision and Ophthalmology Launches to Revolutionize Care for Vision Loss
Co-directed by Nicholas Volpe, MD, the Center for Engineering in Vision and Ophthalmology is committed to developing engineering innovations and future physicians to improve how vision loss is diagnosed and managed.

HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS

​Chris Bowen, MD, MS
2025 Dixon Translational Research Grant, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
 
Paul J. Bryar, MD
Lorenz Zimmerman Medal, American Association of Ophthalmic Oncologists and Pathologists
John L. Montgomery Sr., MD Distinguished Visiting Professor Award, Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute
Gold Humanism Honor Society, Northwestern University
 
Liza M. Cohen, MD
Young Ophthalmologist Committee Chair, Chicago Ophthalmological Society
 
Amani A. Fawzi, MD, MSc, DSc
Venture Program Oculomics Initiative Grant
NIH Common Fund Venture Program
Inducted into the ASCI
 
Robert S. Feder, MD
Resident Teacher of the Year Award, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
 
Manjot K. Gill, MD, MS, FRCS (C)
Community Leadership Board – Member at Large, American Diabetes Association
Quarterly Meeting Chair, Chicago Ophthalmological Society
Program Committee, The Retina Society
 
Lee M. Jampol, MD
Legends of Retina Award, American Society of Retina Specialists
​Anne M. Langguth, MD
Member, Medical Legal Counsel, Illinois State Medical Society
Chair, Young Physician Section Committee on Engagement and Opportunity, American Medical Association
Elected Delegate to the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society
 
Jeremy A. Lavine, MD, PhD
Council of Vision Editors Fellow Program – A Collaboration Between NEI and the editors of JAMA Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Science, IOVS, TVST, Optometry and Vision Science, and AJO
 
Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, MS, FASRS
2024 – 2025 Women in Ophthalmology Mentorship Award
Women in Ophthalmology at 2024 AAO meeting
Annual Meeting Co-chair, Chicago Ophthalmological Society
Course Director, Northwestern Women in Medicine Leadership Conference
 
David J. Palmer, MD
Appointed to the Committee on Sustainability, American Academy of Ophthalmology
 
David A. Ramirez, MD
Honoree, NMQF 40 Under 40 Leaders in Minority Health
Research Grant Recipient, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Incorporated
 
Nicholas J. Volpe, MD
Chicago Ophthalmological Society President
Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology President
 
Stephen A. Watson, MD
Chief of Ophthalmology, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

faculty we welcomed in 2024

Northwestern MEdicine Ophthalmology

The Northwestern Medicine Department of Ophthalmology provides the most advanced medical care, educates students, residents and fellows, and conducts high-impact research that results in the development of new knowledge, therapies and breakthroughs for vision-threatening diseases. 

Our faculty members include nationally and internationally recognized specialists in cornea, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, orbit and oculoplastics, ocular inflammation, retinal diseases, refractive surgery, neuro-ophthalmology, adult strabismus and comprehensive ophthalmology. More than 30 of our physicians, ophthalmologists and scientists are actively contributing to the development of highly advanced medical and clinical therapies and improving the quality of life for patients with diseases and disorders of the eyes.

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