News

The 2026 Career-Starter Research Grant of $100,000 from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation has been awarded to Nataliia Klementeva, PhD, Senior Research Associate in the Arshavsky Laboratory

A recent Retina Today article highlighted the 2026 Duke Fellows Advanced Vitreous Surgery (fAVS) Course, a two-day educational program directed by Lejla Vajzovic, MD, with co-directors Dilraj Grewal, MD, Xi Chen, MD, PhD, and Durga S. Borkar, MD, MMCi. The course brought together expert faculty and retina fellows for lectures, case discussions, surgical video presentations, and hands-on wet lab training focused on the latest advances in vitreoretinal care and surgery.

We’re proud to be ranked #7 in the nation for ophthalmology in the latest U.S.

We are pleased to announce that Marti Dellinger, MHA, has accepted the position of Ambulatory Operations Director, effective September 1, 2026. Marti has served in the interim role since June 2025 while continuing her responsibilities as Division Administrator for the Comprehensive, Cornea, Glaucoma, and Oculofacial divisions. During this time, she has provided strong leadership and strategic direction for clinical operations across Duke Eye Center, making a significant impact on the organization. 

C. Ellis Wisely, MD, MBA, was recently featured in Ophthalmology Times discussing the evolution of cataract surgery and the growing importance of tailoring outcomes to each patient's visual goals.

A recent NBC News feature spotlighted the work of Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD Director of Duke Global Ophthalmology, and an international team delivering sight-restoring care in the Abyei region along the South Sudan border. The region has endured years of conflict and limited healthcare infrastructure, leaving many residents without access to eye care for decades and contributing to some of the highest rates of blindness in the world.

Duke Eye Center faculty were among the featured international speakers at the Duke-SNEC Advanced Vitreous Surgery (AVS) Course, held as a pre-congress course during the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) 35th Anniversary International Meeting in Singapore.

Duke Eye Center faculty, trainees, and staff were among the featured speakers at the 2026 National Association of Vision Professionals (NAVP) Conference, held July 22-23 in Durham, North Carolina.

A team from Duke Eye Center's Global Ophthalmology Program traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, July 4-12 to provide cataract surgery for patients experiencing blindness or severe vision loss.

Duke Eye Center faculty and trainees shared their expertise and research at the 2026 American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)Annual Scientific Meeting, held July 16–18. The meeting featured presentations, panel discussions, and national recognition for several members of the Duke retina team.