José-Alain Sahel, MD, Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology; The Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Director, UPMC Vision Institute
2025 was a year of extraordinary growth, innovation, and commitment to the science and community of vision care.
Mission and Department Growth
The Department’s core mission is “retaining and regaining vision—the joy of seeing—for all.” Over the past year, the Department provided care for 150,000 patients, marking a dramatic increase in patient volume and demonstrating resilience in the face of national health challenges. Strategic initiatives, such as the launch of an acute care clinic open from 8 am to 10 pm and plans for a 24/7 service, have been instrumental in meeting the needs of the region’s most vulnerable patients.
The Department is dedicated to reaching underserved populations. Innovations such as the “virtual hospital” and mobile care initiatives deliver care directly to patients, especially those who are elderly or face transportation barriers.
Programs targeted at social determinants of health are making a measurable difference. Research led by Dr. Andrew Williams has shown that loss to follow-up in glaucoma can triple the risk of blindness—insights that are shaping interventions for enhanced patient engagement and outcomes.
Education and Workforce Development
Education remains a pillar of the Department’s success. The Department hosted nearly 800 applicants for its competitive residency program and continues to offer fellowships in emerging subspecialties. New workforce training initiatives empower both clinical and community staff, including supporting students from underserved neighborhoods through summer research opportunities and validated technician programs.
Cutting-Edge Research and Innovation
Research now spans 40 active teams—from corneal studies to groundbreaking projects in brain-based vision restoration. Highlights include bold “moonshot” initiatives, like the world’s first eye transplantation project and development of artificial and optogenetic vision in completely blind patients. These efforts are supported by major funding agencies, world-class faculty recruits, and collaborative consortia with institutions like Stanford.
Other highlights include the Department’s leadership in artificial intelligence to predict retinal disease progression, NIH grant acquisition, and technology transfer successes such as new clinical trials and spin-off companies.
Looking Forward: Opportunities and Challenges
Despite impressive achievements, looming funding hurdles loom, with the ongoing need to attract top talent. Goals are to create sustainable models for chronic and rare diseases, further AI integration, and expand health literacy interventions to empower patients and caregivers.
The Department’s dynamic partnership with the Eye & Ear Foundation, community organizations, and a growing network of researchers positions it as a leader in the fight to end preventable blindness.