Vanderbilt Eye Institute Impact Report 2024

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 80 faculty, researchers, trainees 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. These include 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,