Pioneering the Future of Eye Care
José-Alain Sahel, MD
Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology
Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair, The University of Pittsburgh Director, Vision Institute
Emeritus Professor of Ophthalmology, Sorbonne Université
While 2024 was a landmark year, 2025 has the potential to surpass it. We made strides in all areas, with our research success reflected in a NIH ranking of fifth compared to eighth last year, and 25th a few years ago.
One of our many clinical accomplishments was to collaborate with the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) to establish an international vision institute. This joint lab will be one of INSERM’s first partnerships outside Europe. We also continued to develop a digital twin model, which is helping with individualized treatment and safety monitoring.
In a short time, the first artificial iris procedure will be done in Pittsburgh; there are only three places that offer this option. Several patients are waiting for this muchneeded reconstructive procedure. We have now recruited excellent experts in eye tumors and these clinics are very busy Read More
The University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine is #12 in CEOWORLD Magazine's global rankings for 2025, reflecting the unwavering commitment of our talented faculty and staff who advance our mission every day
On the Screen
2025 Future Vision Laureate
Congratulations to José-Alain Sahel, MD, who received the 2025 Future Vision Laureate Award from the Future Vision Foundation. The awards ceremony marked the world premiere of the Laureate films. Watch the documentary about Dr. Sahel
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children Helps Plant UPMC's Sensory Garden
For the last three years, the rehabilitation garden at the UPMC Vision Institute has been in the hands of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. KDKA-TV's Josh Taylor reports. Watch the video
In the News
NetraMind Innovations Now Official
A company founded by four faculty members in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh is now official. Read More
Optic Nerve Research Update
Many diseases ultimately lead to blindness due to optic nerve damage. Read More
Phenomenology and Vision Loss
Thanks to the support of the Hillman Foundation to the Department of Ophthalmology, a partnership between Duquesne University Department of Philosophy and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology is helping to understand vision loss and improve patient care. Read More
Progress in Artificial Vision
Maybe you’re familiar with the toy Lite-Brite. Picture a kid at the kitchen table plugging backlit yellow pegs into a board to make the outline of a sun with a smiley face. At age 4, she’s proud of her art, and her parents probably think she’s a genius.
But then she haphazardly fills in most of the holes inside and around the sun with more yellow pegs. Now it looks like a bright yellow blob. Read More
A
Focused Approach to Treating Rare Ocular Diseases
Orphan eye conditions present several unique challenges but addressing them is just par for the course at the Department of Ophthalmology at the UPMC Vision Institute. Read More
Virginia Montanez Discovers the Vision Institute
Virginia Montanez recently discovered the one-stop-shop ophthalmology jewel in Pittsburgh that is the Vision Institute at UPMC Mercy. Read More
Faculty News
Xing Chen Wins Funding for New Project
Andrew Williams, MD, was selected as a Pennsylvania Medical Society Top Physician Under 40.
José-Alain Sahel, MD, is the 2025 recipient of the Proctor Medal from ARVO, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and named as a member of the Academia Europea, the pan-European Academy of Humanities, Letters, and Sciences.
Dr. Sahel was also named Executive Vice President of UPMC Enterprises and will serve as Chief of UPMC’s Health Technology Advancement Program (HTAP), a new initiative within UPMC Enterprises designed to capitalize on the innovative culture that exists across the entire organization.
New Faculty
Published March 2025: The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh recently welcomed three new faculty members. Meet them here! Read More
Published July 2025: The Department of Ophthalmology has been able to recruit several excellent clinicians in ocular oncology, retinal diseases and surgery, comprehensive ophthalmology and oculoplastics, and just completed the recruitment of several new recruits, further strengthening our research teams. Read More
Webinar Recordings
Vision and Down Syndrome
Personalized Refractive Surgery - LASIK and ICL
Restoring Vision with Optogenetics
Ophthalmology Clinical Trials
Current Updates in Optic Nerve Regeneration Research
All Recordings
The Eye & Ear Foundation
The Eye & Ear Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1985 to foster support for the Departments of Ophthalmology and OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh through the generous support of individuals and organizations.
In supporting these world-class Departments, we hold ourselves to the same high standards. We plan to keep moving forward, expanding our support network, and helping the Departments of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery stand peerless in the distinction of research and education and, ultimately, the highest level of care provided to our patients.
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