Wills Eye Hospital

03/06/2026

Dr. Jonathan Myers, Chief of our Glaucoma Service, spoke with Glaucoma Physician about selective laser trabeculoplasty's (SLT) place in the glaucoma treatment paradigm.

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03/05/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Ali Salimi, Wills Eye Glaucoma Fellow and recipient of this year’s Rick Bay Excellence in Eyecare Education Scholarship!

This award comes from the Rick Bay Foundation, which was established to honor the president and publisher of the Review of Ophthalmology. The recipient is selected based on their embodiment of Rick Bay’s integrity, compassion, partnership, and dedication to the greater good.

03/04/2026

Wills Eye Hospital physicians save sight every single day by offering healing, hope, and reassurance when patients need it most.

For patients like Laura, exceptional care made all the difference:
“My vision means so much to me, and I thank my doctor for helping me to feel hope while my detached retina healed. Wills Eye made it happen and I am truly grateful.”

On National Doctors’ Day (March 30), we invite you to honor the physician who protected your sight.

Make a gift in their honor and include a note of thanks to celebrate their dedication to sight-saving care for our community: https://www.willseye.org/national-doctors-day/

03/03/2026

On March 3, 1834, Wills Eye Hospital opened its doors at the corner of 18th and Race Streets in Philadelphia as a 70-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the treatment of eye disease — one of the first hospitals of its kind in the country. From the very beginning, Wills Eye was built on a bold idea that endures today: that specialized care, innovative thinking, and a commitment to patients could transform outcomes and preserve sight.

Nearly two centuries later, that spirit of excellence and innovation continues to define us. Today, Wills Eye remains at the forefront of ophthalmology, advancing groundbreaking research, pioneering new surgical techniques, training the next generation of physician-leaders, and delivering world-class care to patients from around the globe.

You can be part of what comes next. Learn how to support our mission and help shape the future of vision care at www.willseye.org/giving.

Share your memories of Wills Eye Hospital in all its forms and locations in the comments!

03/02/2026

At Retina 2026, Dr. Allen Ho, Co-Director of the Wills Eye Retina Service and Director of Retina Research, spoke about the recent progress and future development of gene therapy and what it could mean for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.

Read more:

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — The recent progress and future development of gene therapy could help patients with wet age-related macular degeneration maintain vision, according to a speaker at Retina 2026. Allen C. Ho, MD, of Wills Eye Hospital, said gene therapy started in the subretinal space with gen...

03/01/2026

The Academy and Wills Eye Hospital will host the 2026 Global Ophthalmology Summit in Philadelphia, August 7–9!

Submit abstracts for poster presentations and apply for award travel grants by March 13: https://ow.ly/4gec50Yl9RO

*(GOS and AAO 2026 are separate meetings)

03/01/2026

In 2026, Philadelphia is celebrating 250 years of America and Wills Eye is celebrating 78 years of our annual conference!

This year, we have consolidated the physician program portion of the Wills Eye Conference into one day full of astonishing speakers from the world of ophthalmology, including Dr. Peter Campochiaro, Dr. Nancy J. Newman, Dr. Jesse Berry, and Dr. John Berdahl.

Wills Eye can’t wait to welcome you and show you everything Philadelphia has to offer.

Register for the conference here: https://www.willsconference.org/program/physicians/

02/28/2026

We are back with three more of our featured speakers for the 78th Annual Wills Eye Conference!

Nancy J. Newman, MD will give the E. Howard Bedrossian, MD Lecture and discuss GLP-1 receptor agonists in neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Newman is the LeoDelle Jolley Chair of Ophthalmology at the Emory Eye Center and serves as a Professor and Instructor within the University’s School of Medicine.

Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA, will present during the Research Symposium, happening Thursday, March 26. He will present on corneal angiogenic privilege. Dr. Azar is a distinguished professor of ophthalmology, bioengineering, and pharmacology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Arthur V. Cideciyan, PHD will also participate in the Research Symposium. Dr. Cideciyan is a research professor of Ophthalmology and Co-Director at the Center for Hereditary Retinal Degenerations at the University of Pennsylvania. He will speak on the subject of gene-based therapies to improve vision in inherited retinal diseases. Dr. Cideciyan is also known for co-developing the FST method, which helps determine key outcome measures during clinical trials.

Register to attend the conference: https://www.willsconference.org/

02/27/2026

Our Conference Chair for the 78th Annual Wills Eye Conference, Zeba A. Syed, MD, gives us a preview of the flow of events for this year’s events!

It all begins the morning of March 26 with a Research Symposium in the Wills Eye Auditorium, featuring discussions on ocular neovascularization and gene therapy.

That afternoon transitions to our free paper session featuring the work of Wills Eye Trainees, along with awards presented to medical students, Residents, and Fellows highlighting their astonishing work this past year.

We are excited for you to experience this day full of impactful topics within ophthalmology.

Register here: https://www.willsconference.org/

02/25/2026

Age-Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans. Call us to schedule your AMD exam - 1.800.331.6634

02/25/2026

With the 78th Annual Wills Eye Conference right around the corner, we are excited to spotlight some of our outstanding featured speakers whose work continues to shape the future of ophthalmology.

John Berdahl, MD will deliver the Bernard C. Gettes, MD Lecture and share insights on patient-centered innovation in cataract surgery. Dr. Berdahl is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist specializing in LASIK, cataract, cornea, and glaucoma surgery. He is known for co-inventing the MKO Melt and co-founding ExpertOpinion.MD.

Jesse Berry, MD will give this year’s Arthur J. Bedell, MD Lecture, speaking on a new era of molecular diagnostics for retinoblastoma. Dr. Berry serves as the Director of Ocular Oncology and Chief of Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the USC Roski Eye Institute. A leader in her field, she has held numerous high-level roles, including President of the International Society of Ocular Oncology and Treasurer of the American Association for Ophthalmic Oncology and Pathology.

Glenn J. Jaffe, MD will discuss dry AMD treatment in 2026 during this year’s Irving H. Leopold, MD Lecture. Dr. Jaffe is the Chief of the Retina Division at Duke University and the Founder and Director of the Duke Reading Center. He has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting his exceptional dedication to research in eye care.

Register to attend the conference: https://www.willsconference.org/

02/23/2026

We’re almost one month away from the 78th Annual Wills Eye Conference, happening March 26–27 in Philadelphia.

Join colleagues from across the country for two days of high-yield, case-based learning led by an outstanding faculty. This year’s program delivers practical insights you can immediately apply in clinic and the OR, alongside dynamic discussion and peer exchange.

The meeting also features special guest Dr. Glaucomflecken and coincides with the nation’s historic 250th anniversary celebration, making this year’s gathering especially memorable.

Connect with leaders in ophthalmology and be part of the tradition of excellence at Wills Eye Hospital.

Registration is open! Secure your spot today. We’re confident you’ll leave the conference energized, informed, and inspired.

https://www.willsconference.org