About
The Department of Ophthalmology is part of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Our department, in conjunction with the University of Virginia Medical Center, utilizes fully equipped facilities at two UVA Health locations in Charlottesville. The two UVA Eye Clinics are located in the Old Medical School Building at the West Complex near the UVA Hospital, and at the Northridge Medical Park on Ivy Road. These clinics have fully equipped exam rooms, imaging suites, and visual field rooms. Both facilities operate five days a week year round with most faculty and clinical personnel splitting their time between locations.
Our dedicated and experienced physicians specialize in cataract surgery, comprehensive ophthalmology, cornea & anterior segment, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, optometry & contact lenses, refractive surgery, and vitreo-retinal disease & surgery. We also have several research labs run by leading researchers, including Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati from our Center for Advanced Vision Science (CAVS) research division.
UVA Ophthalmology is proud to serve as the ophthalmic referral center for central and western Virginia, as well as for parts of West Virginia, North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee. Our mission is to provide our patients with quality, state-of-the-art ophthalmic care in all sub-specialties of ophthalmology. We pride ourselves in furthering the knowledge of eye care through excellent medical training and research.
Facilities
UVA Ophthalmology has cutting-edge equipment and facilities to provide the best possible patient care.
University of Virginia Bernard Samuels Ophthalmology Library
Our library, augmented by the Health System’s Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, contains all major ophthalmic journals and a large collection of textbooks dealing with ophthalmology and related sub-specialties. This is the core library for the region, with state-of-the-art audio visual and teleconferencing capabilities.
In addition we have:
- Unlimited access to major ophthalmology journals through the library subscription
- 24-hour access to MEDLINE retrieval service
- On-line terminals connecting to ophthalmic discussion groups through the Internet
Ophthalmology Laser Iridex IQ 577
The UVA Eye Clinic in the Old Medical School Building at the West Complex near the UVA Hospital is equipped with three (3) thermal lasers.
These Lasers include:
- Iridex IQ 577
- Lumenis Novus Spectra
- Zeiss Visulas YAG II Plus
Ophthalmology Laser Lumenis Novus Spectra
Ophthalmology Laser the Zeiss Visulas YAG II Plus
Ophthalmology Research Exam Room
The research lab spaces are located in the Ophthalmology department at the Old Medical School building in the West Complex, and in the Biomedical Engineering and Medical Science building in MR5. Visit our Ophthalmology Clinical Trials page to find out more about current studies happening in the department.
UVA’s Ophthalmology Photography Suite
The Photography Suite includes:
- Cutting-edge digital angiography and fundus photography systems
- High definition optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Patient video recording and playback of pre-recorded library video material
- Photo slit lamps and macrophotography equipment
- Corneal evaluation with endothelial cell photography, topographical mapping, ultrasonic pachymetry, and Pentacam
- GDX machine and IOL Master
- Professional ophthalmic photographers
Ophthalmology physicians conduct procedures in three UVA surgery facilities that provide ample access to state-of-the-art surgical instrumentation for optimal surgical experience and patient care. Our surgical facilities include:
- UVA Hospital Operating Room
- Battle Building Outpatient Surgery Center (OPSC)
- Monticello Community Surgery Center (MCSC)
The Visual Function Laboratories include:
- Equipment for electroretinography, electrooculography, and dark adaptometry
- Color vision testing with the 100 Hue test, the Farnsworth D-15 test, and multiple color screening plates
- Humphrey Field Analyzers
- Matrix visual field analyzer
- Physiologic testing
- VERSIS System for multifocal ERG and VEP
- Macular Function Lab with OCT/SLO instrumentation
Veterans Administration Medical Center
At the Veterans Administration (VA), located in Salem, Virginia, our faculty members collaborate with residents on the surgical and medical management of the VA population. This collaboration includes cataract, glaucoma, and other routine surgeries.