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Ophthalmology

Departmental Achievements

Faculty Highlights

Jayakrishna Ambati, MD

Professor

Awards and Recognition
Michael Cusick, MD, MHSA presenting at UVA Mini-Medical School on the topic of Diabetic Eye Disease.

Dr. Cusick presents at UVA Mini-Medical School

Michael Cusick, MD, MHSA

Assistant Professor

Community Engagement
  • Presenter at UVA Mini-Medical School on the topic of Diabetic Eye Disease. October 8, 2025.
Research Presentations
  • Burton E, Karri V, Gemperline T, Wan C, Grundvig C, Harrelson H, Kim C, Cusick M. Ophthalmology Consult Utilization in the Emergency Department at a Rural, Academic, Level 1 Trauma Center. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). Denver, Colorado. May 3–7, 2026.
  • Pasha S, Samayamanthula SS, Hage TR, Leigh AY, Bouras A, Chetla N, Tandon M, Cusick M. Geographic Patterns in Public Demand and Supply for Surgical Retina in U.S. States: A Google Trends Analysis. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Washington, DC. April 10, 2026.
  • Markowski AJ, Biswas A, Nguyen CT, Poff SE, Cusick M. Gender and Electronic Health Record Use in Residency: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study at a Single Academic Medical Center. Poster presented at the University of Virginia Medical Student Research Symposium. November 14, 2025.
  • Wan C, Burton E, Gemperline T, Grundvig C, Harrelson H, Kim C, Cusick M. Characteristics of Pediatric Eye-Related Emergency Department Visits at the University of Virginia. Poster presented at the University of Virginia Medical Student Research Symposium. November 14, 2025.
Publications
  • Chetla N, Samayamanthula SS, Chang JH, Leigh AY, Akosman S, Tandon M, Hage TR, Cusick M. Assessing the Diagnostic Capabilities of ChatGPT-4 Omni in Grading Diabetic Retinopathy Fundoscopy Using Color Fundus Photographs. Clin Ophthalmol. 2025;19:3103-3112.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40917271/
  • Tran TM, Duong R, Cusick M. Spontaneous Separation of Epiretinal Membrane following Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Captured on OCT: A Case Report. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2025;16(1):784-790.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41321558/
  • Vinson K, Burton E, Abou-Samra A, Kim C, Nigussie A, Dholkawala R, Cusick M, Turski G, Dirghangi A, Venkat A. Impact of Video-Guided Indirect Ophthalmoscopy on Medical Student Confidence and Ability. Journal of Academic Ophthalmology. 2025;17(3):Article 12.
    https://www.aupojournal.org/jao/vol17/iss3/12/

Arjun Dirghangi, MD, MHS

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology

Awards and Recognition
  • Featured keynote speaker at the Chandler Grant Glaucoma Society meeting at the American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting. Palm Springs, California. 2026. Recognized with the CGGS Speaker Award. Presented alongside former UVA Glaucoma faculty member Sandra Johnson, MD.
Research Presentations

Chelsea R. Johnson, OD

Assistant Professor

Community Engagement
  • Guest lecturer for Charlottesville’s Positive Parkinson’s Group, contributing to patient and community education
  • Guest lecturer for UVA Student Health and Wellness CME, supporting continuing education initiatives.
Research Presentations
  • Johnson CR. Rare Sequential Cranial Nerve VI and Pupil-Sparing Cranial Nerve III Palsies in a Patient with Uncontrolled Vascular Risk Factors. Accepted for presentation at the American Optometric Association Optometry’s Meeting 2026. Phoenix, Arizona. June 2026.
  • Johnson CR. Progressive Visual Field Loss with Normal OCT Revealing Anterior Clinoid Meningioma: A Diagnostic Pitfall in Primary Eye Care. Accepted for presentation at the American Optometric Association Optometry’s Meeting 2026. Phoenix, Arizona. June 2026.
Awards and Recognition
  • Named Optometry Division Chief for the Department of Ophthalmology.
  • Nominated for the UVA Health Exceptional Advanced Practice Provider Award.
  • Nominated for the Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry Preceptor of the Year Award.

Albert S. Jun, MD, PhD

Vernah Scott Moyston Professor and Chair

Awards and Recognition
  • Inducted as a 2026 Silver Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), recognizing exemplary contributions and sustained dedication to the field.

Gordon W. Laurie, PhD

Professor of Cell Biology (Joint Appointment – Ophthalmology)

Awards and Recognition

Arthi G. Venkat, MD, MS

Associate Professor

Awards and Recognition
  • Recipient of the 2025 American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award.
National Presentations
  • Panelist, Great Debates: Uveitis. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. 2025.
  • Panelist, Surgical Considerations in Uveitis. Symposium at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. 2025.
  • Presenter, Considerations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Patients Across the Ophthalmic Subspecialties. Instructional Course at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. 2025.
  • Panelist, AUPO Wellness Symposium. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. 2025.
  • Session Chair, Uveitis Case Conference. OSN New York Retina. 2025.
  • Session Chair, Medical Retina Case Conference. OSN New York Retina. 2025.
  • Presenter, Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Uveitis. OSN New York Retina. 2025.
  • Presenter, Mistakes Made in Uveitis Management. OSN New York Retina. 2025.
  • Presenter, Cooling the Burn: Team-Based Strategies for Chronic Ocular Inflammation. Academy Clinical Webinar.
Community Engagement
  • Featured in ASRS Early Career Section Member Spotlight interview, Being a Good Mentor and How to Train Residents and Fellows.

Nancy F. Vilar, MD PhD

Associate Professor

Claire V. Meyerovitz, MD, Sedona F. Rosenberg, MD, William A. Sanfelippo at NANOS 2026

Residents Claire V. Meyerovitz, MD, Sedona F. Rosenberg, MD, William A. Sanfelippo at NANOS 2026

Research Presentations
  • Glioblastoma Associated with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting, March 2026.
    • Resident presenter: William A. Sanfelippo, MD
  • GLP-1 Receptor Agonists as an Adjunct Treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 3–7, 2026.
    • Resident presenter: William A. Sanfelippo, MD
  • Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy without Systemic Symptoms. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting, March 2026.
    • Resident presenter: Claire Meyerovitz, MD
  • Nitrous Oxide Abuse Presenting with Diplopia. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting, March 2026.
    • Resident presenter: Sedona Rosenberg, MD
Publications
  • Artery of Percheron Infarct with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies and Horner Syndrome.
    American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, published October 18, 2025.
    First author: William A. Sanfelippo, MD (PGY-3 Resident)
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajoc.2025.102458
  • Glioblastoma at the Temporo-Parieto-Occipital Junction Associated with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome.
    Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology / Journal canadien d’ophtalmologie, accepted for publication in 2025.
    First author: William A. Sanfelippo, MD (PGY-3 Resident)
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjo.2025.12.001

Resident Highlights

Eleanor M. Burton, MD – PGY-4 Resident

Community Engagement
  • Presented an ophthalmology teaching session for Emergency Medicine residents. March 25, 2026.
Research Presentations
  • Burton E, Karri V, Gemperline T, Wan C, Grundvig C, Harrelson H, Kim C, Cusick M. Ophthalmology Consult Utilization in the Emergency Department at a Rural, Academic, Level 1 Trauma Center. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). Denver, Colorado. May 3–7, 2026.
  • Wan C, Burton E, Gemperline T, Grundvig C, Harrelson H, Kim C, Cusick M. Characteristics of Pediatric Eye-Related Emergency Department Visits at the University of Virginia. Poster presented at the University of Virginia Medical Student Research Symposium. November 14, 2025.
Publications
  • Vinson K, Burton E, Abou-Samra A, Kim C, Nigussie A, Dholkawala R, Cusick M, Turski G, Dirghangi A, Venkat A. Impact of Video-Guided Indirect Ophthalmoscopy on Medical Student Confidence and Ability. Journal of Academic Ophthalmology. 2025;17(3):Article 12.
    https://www.aupojournal.org/jao/vol17/iss3/12/

Ryan T. Duong, MD – PGY-4 Resident

Community Engagement
  • Presented a board review lecture on eye infections to Internal Medicine residents. March 24, 2026.
Publications
  • Tran TM, Duong R, Cusick M. Spontaneous Separation of Epiretinal Membrane following Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Captured on OCT: A Case Report. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2025 Oct 3;16(1):784-790. doi: 10.1159/000548674. PMID: 41321558; PMCID: PMC12659450.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41321558/

Matthew T. Griffin, MD – PGY-2 Resident

Research Presentations
  • Griffin MT, Dirghangi A. From Noise to Clarity: Thresholding Methods to Improve Automated Glaucoma Screening. Presented at the American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting. Rancho Mirage, California. February 2026.
    https://www.xcdsystem.com/ags/program/ki0VJpz/index.cfm?pgid=444&sid=13289&abid=42651
  • Griffin MT. Costly Delays: VZV Retinitis Complicated by Meningoencephalitis. Presented at the American Uveitis Society 29th Annual Winter Symposium. Park City, Utah. January 2026.

Grant L. Hom, MD – PGY-2 Resident

Awards and Recognition
  • Awarded the 2025 Virginia Lions Eye Institute Richard A. Falls Research Award. November 2025.

Samuel D. Levant, MD – PGY-4 Resident

Research Presentations
  • Levant SD. Stabilization of Multizonal Outer Retinopathy and Retinal Pigment Epitheliopathy (MORR) with Adalimumab. Presented at the American Uveitis Society 29th Annual Winter Symposium. Park City, Utah. January 2026.

Ryan J. Madsen, MD – PGY-3 Resident

Research Presentations

Claire Meyerovitz, MD – PGY-3 Resident

Research Presentations
  • Meyerovitz C. Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting As Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy Without Systemic Symptoms. Presented at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society 2026 Annual Meeting. Boston, Massachusetts. March 2026.
    • Faculty co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD, PhD

Erika T. Robinson, MD – PGY-2 Resident

Research Presentations

Sedona Rosenberg, MD – PGY-3 Resident

Research Presentations
  • Nitrous Oxide Abuse Presenting with Diplopia. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting, March 2026.
    • Faculty co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD, PhD
  • Rosenberg SF, Dirghangi A, Vyas A (Class of 2026). Conjunctival Burns Secondary to Micropulse Transscleral Laser Therapy. Presented at the American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting. Rancho Mirage, California. February 2026. https://www.xcdsystem.com/ags/program/ki0VJpz/index.cfm?pgid=444&sid=13305&abid=42626
  • Rosenberg SF. Panuveitis and Anterior Uveitis as Manifestations of IgG4 Related Disease. Presented at the American Uveitis Society 29th Annual Winter Symposium. Park City, Utah. January 2026.

William A. Sanfelippo, MD – PGY-3 Resident

Awards and Recognition
Research Presentations
  • Sanfelippo W. Glioblastoma Associated with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Presented at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society 2026 Annual Meeting. Boston, Massachusetts. March 2026.
    • Faculty co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD, PhD
  • GLP-1 Receptor Agonists as an Adjunct Treatment for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, May 3–7, 2026.
    • Faculty co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD, PhD
Publications
  • Artery of Percheron Infarct with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsies and Horner Syndrome. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, published October 18, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajoc.2025.102458
    • Co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD
  • Glioblastoma at the Temporo-Parieto-Occipital Junction Associated with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology / Journal canadien d’ophtalmologie, accepted for publication in 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjo.2025.12.001
    • Co-author: Nancy F. Vilar, MD

Tuyet-Minh Tran, MD – PGY-1 Resident

Publications
  • Tran TM, Duong R, Cusick M. Spontaneous Separation of Epiretinal Membrane following Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment Captured on OCT: A Case Report. Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2025 Oct 3;16(1):784-790. doi: 10.1159/000548674. PMID: 41321558; PMCID: PMC12659450. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41321558/
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