Vanderbilt Eye Institute Impact Report
Relentless Focus on Restoring Sight
From groundbreaking discovery to world-class training to personalized patient care, preventing disabling vision loss is Vanderbilt Eye Institute’s driving mission.
A Message from the Chair
Welcome to Vanderbilt Eye Institute’s Annual Impact Report 2024! As I enter my second year as Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, reading this report leads me to reflect on the dedication and achievements of our remarkable community of more than [#] faculty, researchers, clinicians and staff. The stories collected here shed light on a truly unique spirit of collaboration and innovative thinking that has impressed me deeply since joining VEI last year.
Each day, I encounter more examples of extraordinary work that is pushing innovation across the institute’s three mission areas: research, education and clinical practice.
Our NIH-funded scientists have made significant advances in regenerative medicine — from uncovering genetic triggers in glaucoma to developing new models for studying retinal diseases. Clinical discoveries are pointing to the use of electronic health records and biobank data to uncover genetic predisposition for eye disease and address eye health disparities. And our new Inherited Retinal Diseases program is addressing the genetic causes of these blinding conditions to develop new personalized gene therapies for stabilizing and improving vision.
At the heart of VEI’s mission is providing our patients and families with the most advanced and comprehensive care available.
VEI’s clinician-scientists are working every day to develop new treatments — from establishing a more effective treatment protocol for retinopathy of prematurity to leading therapeutics trials for thyroid eye disease. Our unique Low Vision program is growing exponentially, expanding our outreach into homes and schools well beyond Nashville. And finally, you’ll read a truly memorable story about how a VEI glaucoma expert changed the course of a child’s life using an unconventional surgical approach.
In our top-ranked training programs, we provide opportunities for our trainees to reach underserved communities and experience the practice of vision care beyond the walls of the medical center.
All this work would not be possible without a broad community of partners, supporters, and board members including philanthropic donors like Les and Judy Smith, whose vision is helping jump-start discovery and empowering more promising young ophthalmologists to join our ranks. It has been an honor to join this special place and to help envision VEI’s next exciting chapter.
With immense gratitude,
Donor Spotlight
VEI Donors Bring a Lifelong Passion for Eye Health
From support of groundbreaking research to training young ophthalmologists, philanthropists Les and Judy Smith have always given where they saw the greatest need.
Clinical Advances
VEI clinician-scientists lead some of the most important studies in vision research. And our clinical programs address the full spectrum of vision challenges to provide inclusive, evidence-based treatment for all patients—from infants to aging adults.
Novel Approach Enlists Dual Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity
Layering treatments in this potentially blinding condition may provide infants a better path for correction of retinal detachment.
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Low Vision Program Helps Patients Better Navigate the World
Through comprehensive approaches and ongoing support, Vanderbilt Eye Institute helps adults and children with low vision live near-normal lives.
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Promising Advances Underway in Thyroid Eye Disease
Following the success of teprotumumab, research has escalated to develop new therapies that reduce side effects and mitigate disability.
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Uncoventional Surgery Saves Vision of Infant with Peters Anomaly
The nine-year-old patient is thriving after an optical iridectomy performed at Vanderbilt Eye Institute prevented her from going blind.
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2024 at a Glance
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14
Current NIH grants
#10
Blue Ridge Ophthalmology ranking of NIH funding in 2023
124
Publications (July 2023 – August 2024)
25
Residents and fellows
175,525
Outpatient visits annually
7,283
Surgeries annually
43
Ophthalmologists and optometrists
15
Research faculty
Training and Outreach
Educating the next generation of ophthalmologists is about much more than teaching the newest therapeutic or technology. At VEI, we’re providing a variety of experiences for faculty and trainees that broaden their understanding of health care delivery.
Learning Travels Both Ways in Guyana-based Residency Training
Vanderbilt Eye Institute’s unique international rotation program delivers mutual insights and much-needed surgical care.
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Meet Our Fellows
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Faculty Highlights
Our national excellence in clinical care, vision science discovery, and training is not just the expertise of the people at VEI, but the collaborative mission of the three pillars.
Faculty
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New Faculty
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Honors, Awards and Grants
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Support Our Work
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