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The Heersink School of Medicine recently celebrated eight distinguished faculty members during the Fall 2024 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. Among the honorees were two faculty from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences: Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology, and Paul D. Gamlin, Ph.D., White-McKee Endowed Professorship of Ophthalmology. Both are highly respected leaders in their fields, known for pioneering research that bridges clinical practice with scientific discovery in vision science.

UAB Ophthalmology research faculty members Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., and Chris Girkin, M.D., have been awarded a $3.75 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for their project, "Implementing AI-based Glaucoma Screening within Federally Qualified Health Centers."

On April 30, 2024, Sight Savers America proudly unveiled this year’s Hero For Sight Artwork and honored the 2024 Hall W. Thompson Hero For Sight Award recipient at a luncheon held at The Club in Birmingham.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences' 25th Annual Symposium is set to take place Friday, June 14, 2024, at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital. This symposium features speakers from across the country, as well as research presentations from the department's many residency and fellowship programs. Lectures and events will be held on the third floor around the Smith Education Center, suite 300, with an optional social event at Top Golf after the conclusion of the symposium. Click here to register now.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is thrilled to announce that Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., have been jointly awarded the prestigious Proctor Medal for 2025 by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). This esteemed recognition was announced at the annual meeting held this week in Seattle, Washington.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences proudly announces the appointment of Paul Gamlin, Ph.D., and Rafael Grytz, Ph.D., to endowed professorships in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

The UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UAB Callahan Eye is pleased to announce the selection of the new chief residents for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. Scott McClure, MD, and Malcolm Kates, MD, have been chosen by their peers to lead the residency program in its fourth and final year.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, Birmingham is set to witness a breathtaking celestial event - a partial solar eclipse. This rare occurrence, where the moon partially covers the face of the sun, will gift observers with a stunning spectacle. However, it's crucial to understand the importance of eye safety during such events. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the eclipse safely.

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious 2023 Alabama Performance Excellence Award by the ALPEx Program judges. This esteemed accolade celebrates our unwavering commitment to quality and performance excellence, positioning us among the top organizations in the state.

In a dynamic field like ophthalmology, where advancements are constant, residency programs must evolve to meet the demands of modern medical practice. Russell Read, MD, PhD, has witnessed significant transformations during his 16-year tenure as Residency Program Director for the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, reflecting on the journey and discussing the program's evolution.

In January, two bright minds from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences took their passion for vision research to Capitol Hill. Shervonne Poleon, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Lyne Racette, PhD, and Mahmoud KhalafAllah, MD, a PhD student working with Rafael Grytz, PhD, joined Safal Khanal, OD, PhD, an associate professor in the UAB School of Optometry, to advocate for sustained federal funding for vision-related studies. Their efforts as representatives of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), underscored the critical importance of continued support for vision research initiatives.

Christopher Girkin, M.D., from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been chosen as the American Glaucoma Society-Clinician Scientist Lecture for their annual meeting in 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates Girkin's outstanding contributions to the field of ophthalmology, highlighting his remarkable dedication to patient care and groundbreaking research.

Dr. Scott Gauthreaux
Class of 1998

As a proud alumnus of the UAB Ophthalmology residency program, class of 1998, my journey in the field of ophthalmology has been both fulfilling and rich in experiences. Looking back, it’s the camaraderie with my fellow residents and the dedicated instructors who shaped our learning that stand out in my memory.

Dr. Kathleen Gee
Class of 2008

Joining the UAB Ophthalmology residency program class of 2008 was the start of an incredible adventure filled with camaraderie, mentorship, and the kind of excellence that turns education into a lifelong treasure. Looking back, what stands out the most is not just the medical knowledge gained but the lasting bonds forged and the upbeat atmosphere that made every day special.

From left, Massimo Fazio along with co-investigators Alecia Gross and Christopher Girkinby Hannah Buckelew
Massimo Fazio, Ph.D., an associate professor in both UAB’s Departments of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, together with Christopher Girkin, M.D., and Alecia Gross, Ph.D., received a five-year, $2.9 million R01 to support his project, “The mechanotranscriptome of the optic nerve head following acute experimental ocular hypertension in living human eyes.” The grant is funded by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of its residents and fellows in the field of ophthalmic research. Year-to-date in 2023, they have collectively published an impressive total of 16 unique articles in 14 different prestigious journals, showcasing the depth and breadth of their burgeoning expertise.

Contact lenses can be a fantastic way to correct vision, offering convenience and comfort. However, it's crucial to use them safely to avoid potential risks and complications. In honor of Contact Lens Safety Month, we spoke to Carol Rosenstiel, OD, FAAO, an experienced eye care practitioner specializing in contact lenses. With over 30 years of experience fitting a variety of contact lens types, Rosenstiel shared her insights and best practices for safe contact lens usage.

Left to right: Rett Grover, CEO, UAB Callahan Eye; Barbara Evers, Executive Director, EyeSight Foundation; Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH; Brian Samuels, Chair, UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesAfter a distinguished career, Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH, is set to retire from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation. Her journey, marked by dedication and groundbreaking contributions, has left a lasting mark on the world of optometry.

Written by Marcela Frazier, OD, pediatric optometrist at UAB Callahan Eye for Birmingham Mom Collective.

We are now living in a digital age where our children’s eyes are constantly glued to iPads, tablets, and other digital devices. Although this may be the new “normal,” eye care providers worry about the long-term effects this can have on children’s eyes.

EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and UAB Callahan Eye executives and physicians welcome the new installment.On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation Kids Zone was unveiled in the Suite 410 Clinic at UAB Callahan Eye. This milestone stands as a testament to the profound impact generated by a robust collaboration between the Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. The event not only celebrated a generous half-million-dollar partnership but also showcased the unwavering dedication to transforming pediatric care at UAB Callahan Eye.