News

  • Dr. Charles Wykoff Presents 2025 Matthew D. Davis, MD Lecture

    Charles Wykoff, MD, PhD, of Retina Consultants of Texas, will deliver the 2025 Matthew D. Davis, MD lecture for Clinical Research on October 24. Dr. Wykoff’s talk is entitled "Clinical Trials in Retina: Good, Bad, and Ugly."

  • Global Vision: Dr. Christine Larsen’s Journey of Learning and Service in the Philippines

    What happens when surgical skill meets a passion for global health? For Dr. Christine Larsen, MD-a 2013 Glaucoma Fellow from the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS)-the answer became clear during a …

  • DOVS @ AAO 2025

    Join the faculty and alumni of the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the 2024 American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in Chicago, IL October 18 – 21 as we connect, share, and advance our mission to save sight.

  • Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence in Eye Care Education

    On Saturday, September 16, 2025 the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences proudly hosted the 25th Annual Current Concepts in Eye Care continuing education event. Welcoming optometrists and eye care professionals from …

  • Magic Meets Medicine for Ophthalmologists at Madison’s Veterans Administration Hospital

    Walk into a room where Bill Hunter is present, and something shifts. The air feels lighter, the mood brighter. Conversations pause, eyes turn, and smiles spread. Known fondly as “Magic Bill,” the 102-year-old Roscoe, IL …

  • Transforming Residency Education: Innovation in Research and Real-World Readiness

    The Ophthalmology Residency Training Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health has undergone an exciting evolution — one that’s redefining how future ophthalmologists are trained, mentored, and empowered. With updates …

  • Clinical Eye Research Unit in 2024-2025: The Fiscal Year in Review

    The Clinical Eye Research Unit (CERU) is an academic research organization within the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) dedicated to advancing ophthalmic care by developing and implementing protocols to prevent …

  • 2025 Phaco Recap

    The University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences welcomed 60 medical and veterinary residents, from 10 institutions nationwide, to the annual 2-day phacoemulsification cataract extraction course on August 15-16, 2025. The event us hosted jointly by our department, the University of Iowa, and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

  • DOVS @ the Global Ophthalmology Summit

    The University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences had a strong presence at the annual Global Ophthalmology Summit, hosted by the University of Illinois–Chicago and held in Chicago, IL, August 15–17.

  • The Legacy of a Visionary: Dr. Andrew Thliveris’ Lifelong Commitment to DOVS

    After 28 years of dedicated service to the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS), Andrew T. Thliveris, PhD, MD retired in 2023 to his peaceful 30-acre orchard in Colorado. But his heart never left DOVS. His commitment to nurturing future ophthalmologists remains unwavering — both through mentorship and generous philanthropy.

  • Eye Experts Focus on Healthy Vision as the School Year Approaches

    As families prepare for the back-to-school season, UW Health Kids reminds parents to prioritize vision care for kids. The goal of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, observed each August, is to emphasize the critical …

  • From Cold Sores to Glaucoma: Exploring a Potential Connection Between Two Leading Causes of Blindness

    Vision researchers Colleen McDowell, PhD and Donna Neumann, PhD are digging into a critical question of whether glaucoma and ocular herpes are simultaneously promoting ocular damage. With a $427,000 two-year exploratory grant from the National Institutes of Health, they’re working to find the answer. 

  • Welcome to our Newest Optometrists

    We are pleased to welcome two new optometrists to our team. Eryka Uehling, OD and Julia Dellaria-Terrill, OD will both join us in clinic on August 11.

  • de Venecia Fund Supports International Fellowship and Cultural Exchange

    Sponsored by the Guillermo and Marta de Venecia Fund, Daniel Mendoza, MD, a vitreoretinal fellow from Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) in Manila, Philippines, joined the University of Wisconsin retina team for a one-week clinical rotation in June.

  • Preparing Tomorrow’s Ophthalmic Surgeons: The Andrew T. Thliveris, PhD, MD Surgical Skills Training Facility

    For any ophthalmology trainee in the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS), the hands-on experience gained at the Andrew T. Thliveris, PhD, MD Surgical Skills Training Facility (SSTF) is a cornerstone of their education. The facility honors Professor Emeritus Andrew T. Thliveris, who retired from the UW in 2023.

  • Global Impact Through Ophthalmology: DOVS Alumni and Resident Serve in the Philippines

    Thanks to the generous support of the Guillermo and Marta de Venecia Fund, DOVS alum Christine Larsen, MD (Glaucoma Fellow ’13) and PGY3 resident Rushi Mankad, MD recently completed a one-week global ophthalmology rotation in the Philippines, from May 16–25, 2025.

  • Bringing Life Into Focus: Vision Rehabilitation Helps Patients Thrive

    Imagine navigating your daily routine — cooking breakfast, reading a favorite book, or crossing a busy street — through a foggy lens. For millions of Americans living with low vision, this is a reality. Low vision is a significant loss of sight that can’t be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. And for those affected, even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming and isolating. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to Vision Rehabilitation Services.

  • Alumni Spotlight: Zack Oakey ‘19

    For Zach Oakey, MD, the journey from medical school to founding his own retina and oncology practice has been defined by mentorship, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the people who shaped his path. After …

  • Veterans Administration Optometrist Honored for Excellence in Ophthalmology Resident Education

    Dr. Chelsea Linzmeier, an optometrist at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI, was recently honored as the 2025 Distinguished Community Educator by the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

  • Alumni Spotlight: Ronald Lange ‘84, ‘85, Reflects on 40 Years of Visionary Practice

    Ronald Lange, MD was inspired at the age of 10 to pursue a career in eye care by his optometrist. The rest, as they say, is history. “The best advice I would give anyone entering …

  • Detecting Diabetic Eye Disease Early Helps Prevent Vision Loss

    Innovative screening programs by University of Wisconsin vision researchers are reducing the leading cause of blindness in Wisconsin working-age adults. 

  • The Legacy of Excellence in Eye Care Continues at the Madison Veterans Hospital

    As a teaching hospital that is deeply connected to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital plays a vital role in training future ophthalmologists. This …

  • Spotlight on Medical Student Education: Ophthalmology 911

    Several years after the launch of the innovative ForWard Curriculum at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences continues to advance medical student opportunities in …

  • Congratulations Class of 2025!

    Congratulations to our residency and fellowship graduates! With a dedication to excellence and a commitment to patient care, we are confident they will go on to make significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology.

  • UW Health Eye Care Locations Being Renovated

    Two busy UW Health Eye Care locations in Madison, WI are getting important renovations this year. Facilities at 1 South Park Street and the East Madison Clinic on East Terrace Drive are expected to be completed in 2026.