UC Davis Eye Center

04/08/2026

Leading-edge retina research from the UC Davis Eye Center was featured at the 2026 Macula Society Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Our faculty shared new work in stem cell therapy, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and patient-centered outcomes, highlighting the innovation shaping the future of eye care.

From improving how we diagnose disease to developing new treatment approaches, this research reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing vision science and improving patient care.

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/uc-davis-retina-research-featured-macula-society-meeting-9wlcf/?trackingId=xsCU1NkLRu21iwp8h42YcQ%3D%3D

Image description: Composite image of five UC Davis Eye Center faculty headshots alongside UC Davis Health Eye Center branding.

04/07/2026

A pharmaceutical manufacturing firm is recalling a large number of over-the-counter eye drops due to sterility concerns. These products, made by KC Pharmaceuticals, are labelled as “store brands” (e.g., Walgreen’s, Kroger). Patients may check the FDA’s enforcement notice to see exactly which products and lots are involved. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/daiVkyMV

UC Davis Eye Center faculty Drs. Jeffrey Ma and Gary Novack advise:
1. This recall applies only to these specific over-the-counter products. They do NOT apply to prescription eye drops, which should continue to be used as directed
2. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions
3. Be alert for signs or symptoms of infection

These over-the-counter products do not require prior approval by FDA as do prescription products. However, they must still meet the same rigorous standards for sterility and stability.

Image description: Close-up of a patient applying lubricating eye drops, illustrating routine eye care and dry eye treatment.

02/19/2026

02/13/2026

Retina-based eye tracker created by UC Davis team and international collaborators detects subtle signs of neurological disease

At the UC Davis Health Eye Center, a collaboration between clinicians and vision scientists developed a new technology to detect neurological disease. Neuro-ophthalmologist Yin Allison Liu, imaging experts Ravi S. Jonnal and Robert J. Zawadzki and international collaborators, have developed a custom-built, retina-based eye tracker to detect subtle eye movement abnormalities in patients with Huntington’s disease, even when the standard eye exam appears normal.

To learn more, click the link below.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/retina-based-eye-tracker-created-uc-davis-team-international-pe0ac

02/13/2026

Virtual reality exam checks eye health and screens for early signs of Alzheimer’s

UC Davis researchers are using virtual reality technology to make eye exams easier for seniors and to investigate its potential for spotting brain changes before symptoms appear.

To learn more, click the link below.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/virtual-reality-exam-checks-eye-health-and-screens-for-early-signs-of-alzheimers/2026/02

02/12/2026

Optoretinography, pioneered at UC Davis, allows real-time monitoring of eye disease

Optoretinography (ORG) is redefining how clinicians detect and monitor retinal disease by measuring how photoreceptors respond to light in real time. By detecting and tracking dysfunction before structural damage appears—and monitoring recovery as it happens—ORG offers a powerful functional complement to traditional imaging.

At the UC Davis Eye Center, ORG is advancing through collaboration among clinician-scientist Kareem Moussa and vision scientists Ravi S. Jonnal and Robert J. Zawadzki, whose work bridges optical innovation and patient care.

To learn more, click the link below.

Optoretinography (ORG) is redefining how clinicians detect and monitor retinal disease by measuring how photoreceptors respond to light in real time. By detecting and tracking dysfunction before structural damage appears—and monitoring recovery as it happens—ORG offers a powerful functional comp...

02/07/2026

Novel stem cell therapy to treat central retinal vein occlusion

At the UC Davis Eye Center, Susanna S. Park is advancing regenerative retinal care by leading the largest clinical trial to date investigating the use of patients’ own CD34+ stem cells to treat vision loss caused by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a common and often devastating retinal vascular disease.

To learn more, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/novel-stem-cell-therapy-treat-central-retinal-vein-vt2kc

National Eye Institute

02/07/2026

Integrating mental health into ophthalmic care: Dr. Thiran Jayasundera’s research advances holistic vision of medicine

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/integrating-mental-health-ophthalmic-care-dr-thiran-wm01c

02/03/2026

Our senior resident Christine Xu, M.D. presented at the United Kingdom Pediatric Glaucoma Society Meeting in London on January 23. Her talk, “Analysis of Late-Diagnosed Pediatric Glaucoma Cases at Two Academic Institutions,” sparked great discussion and highlighted important insights into pediatric glaucoma care.

Congratulations, Christine, on representing our institution on an international stage!

01/29/2026

We are thrilled to announce the results of this year’s residency match—huge congratulations to our incoming ophthalmology residents! We are so excited to welcome this outstanding group and can’t wait to see all that you will accomplish.

Jonathan Bindi — TCU – Texas Christian University
Jesse Most — UC San Diego School of Medicine
Uyen (Tu) Nguyen — UC Davis School of Medicine
Jaipreet Virk — UC Davis School of Medicine

01/27/2026

Congratulations to Drs. Jeffrey Caspar, Jennifer Li, Mark Mannis, Mathew Margolis and Andrew Nelson on receiving the FY26 Q1 distinguished 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗰 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 from UC Davis Health for excellence in patient-centered care. Based solely on patient experience surveys, this honor recognizes providers who rank in the top 10% for attentive listening, clear communication and fostering respectful, collaborative relationships.

01/21/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences, Mark Rosenblatt, M.D., Ph.D, MBA, MHA!

“It’s amazing to be back,” Rosenblatt said. “I know how much UC Davis and UC Davis Health mean to Californians. It is such an important fixture, being the only academic medical center in this part of California. It is a huge responsibility, but also, of course, a huge privilege.”

Rosenblatt began his academic career at UC Davis in 2005 as an assistant professor of ophthalmology and vision science, splitting his time between research in Davis and clinical care in Sacramento.

Before joining us, Rosenblatt brings a distinguished record as a clinician-scientist and academic health leader, having spent the last decade at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Image description:
Mark Rosenblatt stands smiling at the camera in a suit, with the UC Davis Health campus in the background.