Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Strong education, leading research and compassionate patient care.

Our focus, here at the University of Wisconsin Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, is you. Our commitment to stop the progression of blinding diseases drives each and every one of us. Our vision is to save your vision through strong educational programs, leading research discoveries and compassionate patient care.

EDUCATION RESEARCH PATIENT CARE

View our 2022 Annual Report

  • DISCOVER OUR LABS

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Dr. Terri Young examines patient with resident.

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Our dynamic academic programs enrich and enable the specialists of tomorrow, today.

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Sarah Ferguson works under the hood in Curtis Brandt

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Known as a ground-breaking institution, our labs continue the strong tradition of discovery.

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Yao Liu, MD, examines a rural WI patient

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Experience the multi-faceted service approach to patient care with our doctors at UW Health.

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A Message From the Chair

learn about our fearless vision to save vision.

Dr. Terri Young
It starts with our deep-seated desire to fight blindness wherever it exists. It builds daily with the power of a team that recites the mantra, “Why not?” It ends with our unwavering commitment to you and yours.

As an exemplary leader in vision care, research, and scholarship – the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences is the place for transformative impact. We encourage you to explore our new website and learn about our initiatives – new and sustained – that fuel our mission to save sight locally and globally.

News

two women show off their crafts

Med Students Practice Ophthalmology Skills at Micro-Olympics

Sep 25 2023

Ophthalmology faculty and residents shared an evening of learning and fun with medical students at the annual Micro-Olympics at the Health Sciences Learning Center on the evening of September 19, 2023. 

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Dr. Thomas Castillo

Thomas Castillo, DO named department’s 2023 Distinguished Educator

Sep 15 2023

Castillo, a clinical adjunct professor with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been named the department’s 2023 Distinguished Educator.

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data bits forming a blue eye

Big Data, Big Results: UW Selected as Member of IRIS Registry Analytics Consortium

Sep 05 2023

The department is now a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry Analytics Consortium. This will allow the access to big data that has the potential to shape future scientific research.

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Dr. Julie Mares retires after 32 years of research and service

Aug 10 2023

Mares, a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, retired from UW-Madison on July 14th after a lengthy career exploring the connections between food, a healthy lifestyle, genetics, and nutrition in preserving eye health. 

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Wanda Martinez, MD, PhD

WANDA MARTINEZ NAMED 2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Aug 07 2023

We are pleased to announce that Wanda Martinez, MD, PhD is the recipient of the 2023 Ophthalmology Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

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Andrew Thliveris, MD, PhD

Vice Chair and Ophthalmology Residency Training Program Director Announces His Retirement

Jul 05 2023

A 28-year veteran of the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has announced his retirement, effective September 30, 2023.

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Upcoming Events

  • 10/06/23 Ophthalmology Grand Rounds Georges Guillaume, MD, "Management of Acute Angle Closure;" Samuel Whittier, MD, "Corneal Swimmers in a Swimmer's Cornea"
  • 10/13/23 Ophthalmology Grand Rounds Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, "What Is the Future of Our Management of Age-related Macular Degeneration?"
  • 10/20/23 Frontiers in Vision Research Lecture Series A Grand Rounds Event featuring: Benjamin Frankfort MD, PhD, Glaucoma Threshold Effects in Humans and Mice
  • 10/27/23 Ophthalmology Grand Rounds Jacob Abou-Hanna, MD, "A Retinal Puzzle;" Brandon Vander Zee, MD, "Uveal Melanoma: Getting Up Close and Personal with Prognosis"