News

by Tamarreo Tatum

Students in the Class of 2026 have matched and will enter postgraduate optometric residency programs this summer. Through residency training, graduates receive supervised advanced clinical training that builds competencies beyond entry-level optometry school preparation, deepens specialty expertise and expands career opportunities in patient care, academia and other specialized settings.

by Rachel Beatty

The human eye can see with exceptional detail, allowing people to read fine print, recognize faces across the room and take in the features in nature. Scientists have long debated how this sharp vision works at the cellular level and whether the brain and eyes work together to make it possible.

William Lee Thibodeaux, O.D., graduated from the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) in 2015, completing his professional education in primary eye care and clinical optometry. After graduation, he completed an optometric residency specializing in Geriatric Optometry and Low Vision at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

Untreated vision problems can compound over time, greatly impacting a person’s quality of life and day-to-day activities. However, lack of access to eyecare and financial limitations can pose barriers to receiving the care many people need.

by Rachel Beatty and Satina Richardson

The Vision Science Research Center (VSRC) hosted a retreat that featured Michael Chiang, MD, director of the National Eye Institute, as the keynote speaker. The National Eye Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health, the nation’s leading supporter of vision research.

by Satina Richardson

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has named Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH, a Vision Science Graduate Program PhD candidate, the recipient of the 2026 Emerging Advocate Award. The honor recognizes ARVO members who have dedicated their careers to advancing eye and vision research through advocacy at all levels.

UAB School of Optometry researchers Tim Gawne, PhD, and Thomas Norton, PhD, professor emeritus, have received a patent for a lens design that may help slow or stop the progression of myopia in children, marking a milestone in the effort to translate decades of basic vision science research into clinical application.

Vision scientists received two federal grants totaling nearly $4 million from the National Eye Institute to support groundbreaking research aimed at better understanding the myopia epidemic and the brain’s response to visual stimuli.

Four faculty members were hired in 2025 to join the UAB School of Optometry, with three beginning their roles that year and one joining in early 2026. Their expertise strengthens the curriculum, enhances patient care and expands research focus areas, supporting the school’s mission to advance vision science and improve eye care.

The UAB School of Optometry proudly welcomes Lynn Greenspan, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl. PH/EV, FNAP, as a professor, bringing a wealth of experience in clinical care, research and education.

by Tamarreo Tatum

Gussie Branch, OD, has been named the 2025 Young Alumnus of the Year by the UAB School of Optometry Alumni Association.

by Tamarreo Tatum

Ellen Antwi-Adjei, OD, Vision Science Graduate Program (VSGP) student, earned the title of Best 3-Minute Thesis presenter at the Clinical and Translational Science Symposium. She received the honor for her ability to simplify complex research into an engaging, three-minute presentation.

by Satina Richardson

Vision Science Research Center (VSRC) funding has been renewed through Sept. 30, 2026. The Center grant sustains key programs, including pilot grants, equipment upgrades, and graduate training. The VSRC also supports the National Eye Institute (NEI P30) Center Grant for Vision Research that has been continuously funded at UAB since 1979.

The 12th annual Gift of Sight Week brought vision care to 226 patients at Western Health Center, continuing a tradition of service to the community.

by Satina Richardson 

A new partnership between the UAB School of Optometry and Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, expanded access to eye care for Jefferson County residents. 

By Tamarreo Tatum

Kristine Hopkins, OD, MSPH, FAAO, Class of 1997, is the 2025 Alumni Association’s Alumnus of the Year. The award recognizes her contributions to the field of optometry, academia, and her dedication to the UAB School of Optometry over the past twenty-five years.

Jackie Nguyen, OD, has built a career focused on pediatric eye care and academic excellence. She graduated from the University of California Berkeley Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry in 2021 and is now a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, where she sees patients in the pediatric and low vision clinics. In this Q&A, Nguyen shares what inspired her to pursue a residency, why she chose pediatric optometry, what her experience was like at Vanderbilt Eye Institute, and how that year shaped her career.

Paul Ajamian, OD, center director at Omni Eye Services of Atlanta, was the honored Springer lecturer for 2025 at the UAB School of Optometry. His lecture reflected on the evolution of co-management in eye care and shared insights on the future of the profession.

Daniel Creech, 40, a patient at United Ability, knew his vision had changed. After years of encouragement, he was convinced to get glasses.

Apply today to receive free vision care services at the annual Gift of Sight, hosted by the University of Alabama at BirminghamSchool of Optometry and UAB Eye Care, Dec. 1-5. The event will be held at the Jefferson County Western Health Center, located at 631 Bessemer Super Highway, Midfield, Alabama.