2025: A YEAR IN REVIEW
BREAKTHROUGHS AND DISCOVERIES in ophthALMOLOGY

The Northwestern Medicine Department of Ophthalmology is proud to highlight a year of progress and innovation. From advancing research and clinical care to sharing unique case insights, welcoming new faculty and earning prestigious honors, our team continues to shape the future of eye health. Explore our 2025 highlights below.

RESEARCH DISCOVERIES

Study Links Retinal Changes to Neurological Symptoms in Long COVID Patients
A first-of-its-kind study from Northwestern Medicine and published in the Journal of Imaging is giving experts an idea, by looking through the eyes, of how long COVID affects the body. “This finding bridges gaps between ophthalmology, neurology and COVID-19, helping us better understand how inflammation affects different organs in the body,” says Manjot Gill, MD, senior author of the study and ophthalmology lead of Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive COVID-19 Center.
Novel Molecular Mechanisms Shape Neuron Identity in Retinal Cells
A recent study led by Tiffany Schmidt, PhD, associate professor of Ophthalmology and of Neurobiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, has discovered previously unknown cellular mechanisms that shape neuron identity in retinal cells. These findings may improve the understanding of brain circuitry and disease, according to an article published in Nature Communications.  
Advancing Health and Longevity by Analyzing the Retina
One of the many ways the Human Longevity Laboratory at Northwestern Medicine is studying aging is through the retina. Manjot Gill, MD, a Northwestern Medicine retina specialist, explains the unique multidisciplinary approach of the lab and how she is using AI in retinal imaging to predict biological age and help validate interventions that may slow aging. 

Clinical Advances and Updates

Prosthetic Iris: A Solution for Non-functioning Pupils
Surendra Basti, MD, discusses the prosthetic iris — a groundbreaking solution for people with non-functioning pupils. Made from medical-grade silicone, this innovative prosthesis mimics the natural iris and enhances vision through a small opening. 
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Treatments and Trials
Manjot Gill, MD, discusses non-exudative macular degeneration with geographic atrophy. She highlights recent FDA-approved treatments and an exciting phase 2 clinical trial on fatty acid synthase inhibition. This innovative approach aims to reduce inflammation and improve treatment durability, and it has the potential to transform the management of this condition.
Managing Tumors Compressing the Optic Nerve
Preeti J. Thyparampil, MD, an ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Adam D. Baim, MD, PhD, a neuro-ophthalmologist, are joined by Neurosurgeon Stephen T. Magill, MD, PhD, to discuss the management of tumors that compress the optic nerve. 
AI in Ophthalmology: Improving Detection, Workflow and Patient Care
Paul Bryar, MD, Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, and moderator Angelo P. Tanna, MD, discuss practical applications of AI in eye care. Topics include point-of-care diabetic retinopathy screening with immediate results, oculomics and multimodal imaging, and collaborations using AI to identify biomarkers such as retinal ischemic perivascular lesions. 
Advancing Diabetic Eye Screenings Through Primary Care Integration
Annual eye exams are essential for patients with diabetes, yet many health systems face challenges in ensuring timely screenings. To address this, Paul J. Bryar, MD, led an initiative to make diabetic eye screenings more accessible and convenient for patients while simplifying the process for primary care teams. 

Complex Case Reports

Large Orbital Fracture
Preeti J. Thyparampil, MD, shares an insightful case involving a woman who, after experiencing a traumatic assault, presented with significant ocular pain and double vision. A subsequent CT scan revealed a substantial fracture of the orbital floor. Dr. Thyparampil discusses the process of reconstructing the orbital floor.
Painful Ophthalmoplegia
A 31-year-old male presented to Nicholas J. Volpe, MD, ​with seven days of worsening sinus and right eye pain followed by diplopia and right upper eyelid ptosis. An MRI taken in May 2020 demonstrated a 14-by-8 millimeter area of enhancement in the right cavernous sinus. 
Bilateral Blurry Vision in a 46-Year-Old Patient
A 46-year-old male presented to Anjum Koreishi, MD, and John Bryan, MD, with one week of blurred vision in both eyes, as well as pressure around his eyes and a progressive headache with pulsatile quality. His medical history was notable for prior photorefractive keratectomy, myopia and suspected glaucoma. His clinical exam demonstrated 20/50 visual acuity in both eyes, as well as findings consistent with panuveitis.
Posterior Segment Findings in Hunter Syndrome
A case report co-authored by Manjot Gill, MD, describes a 32-year-old man with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome). The patient presented with difficulties in night vision and photophobia, prompting a referral for suspected retinitis pigmentosa. 
Woman With Bilateral Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickening
A woman in her 40s was referred to Amani Fawzi, MD, and Ivy Zhu, MD, of Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology for an asymptomatic epiretinal membrane observed in her left eye. The patient had ocular history marked by amblyopia of the same eye. Her medical background included chronic neuropathy, ataxia and myelopathy of unknown etiology, conditions for which she was under the care of a neurologist.
Early OCTA Findings in Multifocal Choroiditis
A 24-year-old woman presented to Lee M. Jampol, MD, and Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD, diagnosed with idiopathic multifocal choroiditis complicated by chorioretinal atrophy. The patient experienced visual field changes and photopsias, with a comprehensive workup yielding negative results for systemic illnesses. Following treatment with systemic corticosteroids, her condition remained stable for two years. However, subsequent imaging with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) unveiled early changes that preceded clinical manifestations. 

Department News​

Lee Jampol, MD, Shares Insights From a 5-Decade Career Transforming Retinal Disease Care
As the Louis Feinberg, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology at Northwestern Medicine, Lee M. Jampol, MD, has been a key figure in advancing eye care and education since joining the institution in 1983, where he also served as chair of the Department of Ophthalmology for almost 27 years.
Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology Receives Research to Prevent Blindness Grant
The unrestricted grant is $115,000 given annually for the next five years to the department and can be used at the discretion of the chair to support priority initiatives and collaborations. This grant is presented to just 30 departments across the country and is awarded based on a thorough review of the department’s research activities, laboratory environment as well as the work of the clinical and scientific investigators.
Cornea, Uveitis, Orbital and Oculoplastic Highlights From AAO 2025
A panel of Northwestern Medicine ophthalmologists, including Robert Feder, MD, Liza Cohen, MD, and Timothy Janetos, MD, share key highlights and clinical implications from the 2025 AAO Annual Meeting, focusing on cornea and external disease, orbital and oculoplastic surgery, and uveitis, including cases associated with cataract.
9 Faculty and Staff Join Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology
Northwestern Medicine Ophthalmology was proud to welcome an outstanding group of new faculty and staff, bringing world-class expertise in retina, pediatric care, comprehensive ophthalmology, optometry and ocular oncology to our patients across the Chicago area and beyond.
Center for Engineering in Vision and Ophthalmology: Advancing Personalized Glaucoma Treatment With AI and Imaging
Launched last year, CEVO will create a new high-resolution, AI-integrable imaging technology to capture the detailed anatomy of the eye’s fluid drainage process, a system that helps maintain healthy eye pressure. These images, taken at approximately 1 µm resolution, will be used to generate a digital twin of each patient’s eye.

Awards, Honors and Recognitions 

Adam D. Baim, MD, PhD
  • Bedside Medicine Scholars Program
Surendra Basti, MD
  • Nominated Member, International Intra Ocular Implant Club
Neena Cherayil, MD
  • Chair, Neuro-ophthalmology/Neuro-otology Subspecialty Interest Group, American Neurological Association
  • John X. Thomas, Jr. Best Teachers of Feinberg Award
Debra A. Goldstein, MD
  • Highly Ranked Scholar, Lifetime – Uveitis, ScholarGPS
Lee M. Jampol, MD
  • 2025 Charles L. Schepens, MD, Lecture, American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Highly Ranked Scholar, Lifetime – Ophthalmology, ScholarGPS
Anne M. Langguth, MD
  • Vice-Chair, Advocacy Committee, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Chair, Committee on Engagement and Opportunity, Young Physicians Section, American Medical Association
  • Elected delegate to the American Medical Association, Illinois State Medical Society
  • Member, Illinois State Medical Society Medical Legal Counsel, American Medical Association
  • Thankful Series Physician Feature, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Rukhsana G. Mirza, MD
  • Editor, American Academy of Ophthalmology Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Executive Board Secretary, Women in Retina, American Society of Retina Specialists
  • Member, International Ocular Circulation Society
David A. Ramirez, MD
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology 2025 Achievement Award
  • Gold Humanism Honor Society Inductee
  • Vice Chair, Sustainability Task Force, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Invited Diplomate to the Diplomate and Liaison Summit, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • Young Ophthalmology Program Co-Chair, American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting
  • Alternate Councilor, Illinois Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
Jennifer L. Rossen, MD
  • Career Starter Grant, Knights Templar Eye Foundation
Angelo P. Tanna, MD
  • Mentor, Council of Vision Editors Fellowship Program 

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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