Explore UAB

News Archive

  • UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Receives 2023 Alabama Performance Excellence Award

    UAB Callahan EyeUAB Callahan Eye Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious 2023 Alabama Performance Excellence Award by the ALPEx Program judges. This esteemed accolade celebrates our unwavering commitment to quality and performance excellence, positioning us among the top organizations in the state.

  • Enhancing Ophthalmology Residency Training: A Conversation with Dr. Russell Read

    Russell Read, MD, PhDIn a dynamic field like ophthalmology, where advancements are constant, residency programs must evolve to meet the demands of modern medical practice. Russell Read, MD, PhD, has witnessed significant transformations during his 16-year tenure as Residency Program Director for the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, reflecting on the journey and discussing the program's evolution.

  • Advocating for Vision: UAB Trainees Make Impact on Capitol Hill

    2024 ARVO fellow advocates on Capitol HillIn January, two bright minds from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences took their passion for vision research to Capitol Hill. Shervonne Poleon, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow under the mentorship of Lyne Racette, PhD, and Mahmoud KhalafAllah, MD, a PhD student working with Rafael Grytz, PhD, joined Safal Khanal, OD, PhD, an associate professor in the UAB School of Optometry, to advocate for sustained federal funding for vision-related studies. Their efforts as representatives of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), underscored the critical importance of continued support for vision research initiatives.

  • Girkin Named American Glaucoma Society-Clinician Scientist Lecturer for 2025

    Christopher Girkin, M.D.Christopher Girkin, M.D., from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been chosen as the American Glaucoma Society-Clinician Scientist Lecture for their annual meeting in 2025. This prestigious recognition celebrates Girkin's outstanding contributions to the field of ophthalmology, highlighting his remarkable dedication to patient care and groundbreaking research.

  • Alumni Check-In – Dr. Kathleen Gee

    Dr. Kathleen GeeDr. Kathleen Gee
    Class of 2008

    Joining the UAB Ophthalmology residency program class of 2008 was the start of an incredible adventure filled with camaraderie, mentorship, and the kind of excellence that turns education into a lifelong treasure. Looking back, what stands out the most is not just the medical knowledge gained but the lasting bonds forged and the upbeat atmosphere that made every day special.

  • Alumni Check-In – Dr. Scott Gauthreaux

    Dr. Scott GauthreauxDr. Scott Gauthreaux
    Class of 1998

    As a proud alumnus of the UAB Ophthalmology residency program, class of 1998, my journey in the field of ophthalmology has been both fulfilling and rich in experiences. Looking back, it’s the camaraderie with my fellow residents and the dedicated instructors who shaped our learning that stand out in my memory.

  • Fazio and Co-investigators Secure $2.9M R01 to Study Ocular Hypertension in Human Eyes

    From left, Massimo Fazio along with co-investigators Alecia Gross and Christopher GirkinFrom left, Massimo Fazio along with co-investigators Alecia Gross and Christopher Girkinby Hannah Buckelew
    Massimo Fazio, Ph.D., an associate professor in both UAB’s Departments of Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, together with Christopher Girkin, M.D., and Alecia Gross, Ph.D., received a five-year, $2.9 million R01 to support his project, “The mechanotranscriptome of the optic nerve head following acute experimental ocular hypertension in living human eyes.” The grant is funded by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

  • UAB Ophthalmology Residents and Fellows Shine in 2023

    Resident Group 2023 24The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of its residents and fellows in the field of ophthalmic research. Year-to-date in 2023, they have collectively published an impressive total of 16 unique articles in 14 different prestigious journals, showcasing the depth and breadth of their burgeoning expertise.

  • Contact Lens Safety Month: Expert Tips from Dr. Carol Rosenstiel

    Contact lenses can be a fantastic way to correct vision, offering convenience and comfort. However, it's crucial to use them safely to avoid potential risks and complications. In honor of Contact Lens Safety Month, we spoke to Carol Rosenstiel, OD, FAAO, an experienced eye care practitioner specializing in contact lenses. With over 30 years of experience fitting a variety of contact lens types, Rosenstiel shared her insights and best practices for safe contact lens usage.

  • Celebrating the Remarkable Career of Dr. Dawn DeCarlo: A True Visionary

    Left to Right: Rett Grover, CEO, UAB Callahan Eye; Barbara Evers, Executive Director, EyeSight Foundation; Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH; Brian Samuels, Chair, UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesLeft to right: Rett Grover, CEO, UAB Callahan Eye; Barbara Evers, Executive Director, EyeSight Foundation; Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH; Brian Samuels, Chair, UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesAfter a distinguished career, Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., Ph.D., MS, MSPH, is set to retire from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation. Her journey, marked by dedication and groundbreaking contributions, has left a lasting mark on the world of optometry.

  • How is Screen Time Affecting Our Children’s Eyes? A Conversation with UAB Callahan Eye

    A brother and sister sitting on the couch playing on an iPadWritten by Marcela Frazier, OD, pediatric optometrist at UAB Callahan Eye for Birmingham Mom Collective.

    We are now living in a digital age where our children’s eyes are constantly glued to iPads, tablets, and other digital devices. Although this may be the new “normal,” eye care providers worry about the long-term effects this can have on children’s eyes.

  • A Local Mom’s Perspective

    Murray is rocking her new contact lenses.Murray is rocking her new contact lenses.When it comes to our children’s eyecare, we, as parents, take it very seriously. Birmingham is fortunate to have so many eyecare options, but how in the world do you choose the best fit for your family? Thankfully a local mom, Jennifer Drake, is here with Birmingham Mom Collective (BMC) to tell her story and why she loves UAB Callahan Eye!

  • Quarterbacking Children's Health Foundation Kids Zone Unveiled at UAB Callahan Eye

    EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and UAB Callahan Eye executives and physicians welcome the new installment.EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and UAB Callahan Eye executives and physicians welcome the new installment.On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation Kids Zone was unveiled in the Suite 410 Clinic at UAB Callahan Eye. This milestone stands as a testament to the profound impact generated by a robust collaboration between the Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club, and the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. The event not only celebrated a generous half-million-dollar partnership but also showcased the unwavering dedication to transforming pediatric care at UAB Callahan Eye.

  • UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation and Sight Savers America: Empowering Independence Through Vision Aids

    Aubree Mitchel receives training from Jason Vice, Ph.D. on her new vision aid.A pediatric patient and Jason Vice, Ph.D. explore her new vision aid.On August 21, 2023, UAB's Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation, in collaboration with Sight Savers America, held an equipment dispensing clinic in its UAB Callahan Eye clinic space. The event aimed to provide high-tech visual aids to individuals with vision impairments, enhancing their daily lives and fostering independence.

  • Samuels named chair of Ophthalmology

    Written by Jane LongshoreBrian Samuels, MD, PhD

    Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, effective Oct. 1. In this role, Samuels will work to recruit and retain talented faculty in clinical service, teaching, and research, as well as advance high impact discoveries and grow extramural research funding.

  • Back to School Eye Care and Health: Expert Insights from Rob Tauscher, M.D.

    Boy wearing glasses seated at a desk in a classroomAs the school year kicks off, ensuring your child's eye health is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success. We sat down with Dr. Rob Tauscher, M.D., an esteemed member of our pediatric optometry and ophthalmology team at UAB Callahan Eye, to discuss the importance of regular eye check-ups, signs to watch for, and how parents can contribute to their children's eye safety.

  • Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Publications and New Grant Awards Demonstrate Research Productivity

    Maria Grant and PhD studentThe research faculty within the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences have demonstrated exceptional contribution to the field of ophthalmic research through their authorship of 94 publications in the 2023 fiscal year. These articles span 50 distinguished, peer-reviewed journals such as American Journal of Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, JAMA Ophthalmology, and more. This impressive body of work underscores the commitment to advancing ophthalmic knowledge and an impactful role in diverse scientific discussions. Their collective efforts further solidify the department’s reputation as a leader in vision research and innovation.

  • Pioneering Research to Transform Early Detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D. and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., MSPHChristine A. Curcio, Ph.D. and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., MSPHAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) threatens detailed vision in millions of older persons globally. While current treatments aim to prevent or stabilize advanced disease, the quest for early intervention remains paramount. Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., MSPH, esteemed researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), are at the forefront of groundbreaking research with the NIH-funded Alabama Study on Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration 2 (ALSTAR2).

  • Sight Savers America Unveils 2023 Hero For Sight Tribute Wall at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital

    Sight Savers America Tribute Wall at UAB Callahan Eye HospitalOn July 13, 2023, Sight Savers America proudly revealed this year’s Hero For Sight Tribute Wall, along with the 2023 Hero For Sight Artwork and 2023 Hall W. Thompson Hero For Sight Award recipient plaque, at the renowned UAB Callahan Eye Hospital in Birmingham.

    The UAB Callahan Eye Hospital has generously provided space for the Sight Savers America Hero For Sight Tribute Wall since 2014. Each year, during a special award ceremony, a new honoree and artist are chosen to be featured on the wall. Located on the hospital's first floor, the Tribute Wall serves as a meaningful recognition of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to promoting eye health and vision care.

    Sight Savers America has been dedicated to supporting children's vision care through various programs since 1997. These initiatives provide comprehensive eye care services, facilitate access to eye clinics and low vision clinics, and deliver vision aids directly to families in need. All these services are offered free of charge to qualifying families, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder children from receiving essential eye care.

    As a partner in Sight Savers America's mission, UAB Callahan Eye takes immense pride in contributing to the cause of enhancing vision health access for children. Together, we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of young individuals by improving their eye health and promoting a brighter future through better vision care.

  • UAB Ophthalmology Launches Cornea Fellowship

    Cornea FellowshipIn a significant expansion of its educational programs, the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences introduced a cornea fellowship for the 2023-2024 academic year. This one-year fellowship joins existing programs at UAB and in Birmingham in glaucoma, low vision, neuro-ophthalmology, retina and oculoplastic surgery, enriching the department’s offerings to aspiring ophthalmologists.