News

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 celebrated the graduation of the Duke Ophthalmic Technician Program Class of 2026 on July 17, continuing a tradition of training ophthalmic technician students since 1986.

Three Duke Eye Center retina specialists recently served as faculty at the 2026 Mass Eye and Ear Vitrectomy Course in Boston, helping provide hands-on surgical education to first-year retina fellows from across the country.

Cynthia Toth, MD was recently featured in an Ophthalmology Times article and accompanying Eye Care Network video discussing new research that suggests a simple bedside eye scan may help identify neurodevelopmental risks in preterm infants before symptoms appear.

We are proud to announce that Joanne Wen, MD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Ophthalmology with Tenure, effective July 1, 2026.

SriniVas Sadda, MD, FARVO, will join Duke Health as chair of the Department of Ophthalmology effective November 10, 2026. 

Vision loss can have a profound impact on independence, but professionals best positioned to help— like occupational therapists — have historically received little formal training in vision disorders. The gap has created a critically small workforce at a time when an aging population is driving an urgent need for greater vision rehabilitation services.

Duke Ophthalmology hosted the 2026 Residents’ & Fellows’ Graduation Banquet on June 6 at the JB Duke Hotel, bringing together trainees, faculty, and staff for an evening recognizing excellence in education, research, innovation, and clinical care. The event highlighted the accomplishments of residents, fellows, ophthalmic technicians, and faculty who have shaped another outstanding academic year.

Linus (Liangbo) Shen, MD, vitreoretinal surgery fellow at Duke Eye Center, has been awarded a Clinical Research Fellowship Award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The highly competitive award provides $65,000 in research support and is given to only three recipients each year.

Duke Ophthalmology hosted the 2026 Trainee Day Scientific Sessions on June 5 at the AERI Auditorium, bringing together residents, fellows, and research trainees to present new discoveries and clinical insights across the field. The event featured a full afternoon of podium presentations and an extensive poster session, highlighting trainee-led research aimed at advancing patient care.