Wilmer in Focus Newsletter | March 2026
News from our full member Wilmer Eye Institute Johns Hopkins Medicine
Dear friends and colleagues,
At Wilmer, every discovery, collaboration and clinical innovation is guided by a single purpose: improving the lives of our patients. Our physicians and scientists are working at the forefront of vision research — advancing new treatments, refining surgical techniques and deepening our understanding of eye disease.
In this issue, you’ll learn how the work taking place across our clinics, laboratories and classrooms is helping shape the future of eye care. From pioneering research to compassionate clinical practice, each effort moves us closer to better outcomes, earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for the patients and families who trust us with their care.
We are proud to share these updates with you and grateful for the community that supports our mission to preserve and restore vision.
—Peter J. McDonnell, M.D.
Alan and Marlene Norton Director of the Wilmer Eye Institute
William Holland Wilmer Professor of Ophthalmology
Features
A Pinnacle In Residency Training
Since 1925, Wilmer’s residency program has been one of the world’s foremost training grounds for aspiring ophthalmologists. Training the next generation is one of the most important things we do, says its new director.
Three New Rising Professorships Showcase Wilmer’s Rising Talent
With support from Wilmer’s Rising Professorship Program, these young researchers are working to advance high tech imaging, AI in ophthalmology, and rehabilitation for patients with low vision.
The Fight of His Life
An amateur boxer, John Paredes was used to shielding himself from blows to the face. But nothing prepared him for an injury he sustained while lifting weights at the gym.
In the Spotlight
Get to Know Moon Lee
Moon Lee, M.D., joined the Wilmer Eye Institute faculty in September as an assistant professor of ophthalmology. A glaucoma specialist, Lee sees patients at Wilmer’s Water’s Edge and Columbia clinics.
Liu on the Future of AI in Health Care
In this Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, T.Y. Alvin Liu, M.D., the James P. Gills, Jr., M.D., and Heather Gills Rising Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology, explores the next waves of healthcare AI from voice enabled patient access to AI centric workflows and artificial medical general intelligence.
Inside Wilmer–Water’s Edge
Wilmer’s Harford County satellite clinic in Belcamp, known as Water’s Edge, is a full-service clinic providing care in all of the ophthalmic subspecialties, with contact lens fittings, comprehensive eye exams and an optical shop.
Research news
Johnson, Colleagues Promote RGC Migration to Retina Following Transplantation
In the Journal of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Thomas V. Johnson III, M.D., Ph.D., the Shelley and Allan Holt Rising Professor of Ophthalmology, and colleagues report on a minimally invasive technique to promote retinal ganglion cell migration into the retina after transplantation.
Research Snapshot
In this occasional series, we highlight recent studies that advance medical knowledge. In this installment, we hear from James Handa, M.D., the Robert Bond Welch, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology.
Study Looks at Quality of Life for People with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss
A new study by Yingzi Xiong, Ph.D., the Barbara Simerl Rising Professor of Low Vision, and colleagues examines how people with combined hearing and vision loss navigate real-world environments and how health care practitioners can help support them. The work was covered in this Johns Hopkins Medicine news release.
Awards and Honors
Dagnelie is Recipient of Oberdorfer Award
Gislin Dagnelie, M.S., Ph.D., is the 2026 recipient of the Oberdorfer Award in Low Vision. He will present a lecture on the topic at the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting (May 3–7) in Denver. The award recognizes outstanding research in low vision rehabilitation.
Paulus Named 2026 Fellow of SPIE
Yannis Paulus, M.D., the Jonas Friedenwald Professor of Ophthalmology, was selected as a 2026 Fellow of SPIE, the premier international society for optics and photonics. Fellows are honored for their excellent technical achievements, as well as for their substantial service to the optics and photonics community and to SPIE.
Sambhariya Receives ASCRS Resident Excellence Award
Congratulations to PGY-3 resident Whitney Stuard Sambhariya, M.D., Ph.D., a recipient of a 2026 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Resident Excellence Award, which recognizes exemplary performance in research, patient care, leadership and education.
Upcoming Events
Grand Rounds
Join Wilmer for virtual Grand Rounds, Thursday mornings from 7:30am – 8:30am. CME credit is available for Johns Hopkins affiliates. Click here to join these upcoming sessions:
· March 26
· April 2
· April 9
· April 23
Refractive Surgery
General
Neuro-Ophthalmology: Barlow Lecture
Glaucoma: Pollack Lecture
There will be no Grand Rounds on April 16 or April 30.
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