WVU Eye Institute celebrates record-setting research growth at 2026 Vision Summit
Researchers, learners and industry leaders gathered in Morgantown to celebrate and capitalize on the momentum of the WVU Eye Institute’s continued growth in research during the 2026 West Virginia Vision Summit. The event was held on Friday, September 18, at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown.
The event, a collaboration between the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, highlighted research and education initiatives and innovations that have helped the program achieve record growth in external research funding, including an additional $9.5 million in new and continuing grant funding in the second quarter of 2026 alone.
The funding comes from a variety of support, including the National Eye Institute, the Glaucoma Research Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, and others.
“We are incredibly proud to continue building upon our strong foundation of making profound advancements in the world of vision research,” said Visvanathan Ramamurthy, PhD., professor and vice chair of research at the WVU Eye Institute. “We have several exciting projects currently underway in our laboratory aimed at developing novel approaches and treatments for the blinding diseases that affect so many patients across West Virginia and the surrounding region.”
Recently funded projects include the award of a new grant investigating the cause of retinal disease, as well as grant renewals aimed at revolutionizing laser treatment of glaucoma and at developing novel treatments for retinitis pigmentosa.
WVU Health Sciences Chancellor and Executive Dean Clay Marsh, MD, who served as a moderator of a statewide panel titled “Future Directions of Eye Care in West Virginia” during the Summit, says WVU is uniquely positioned for continued growth.
“We have not only a patient population deeply in need of advanced ophthalmologic services, but we’re structured for cross-collaborative efforts between our world-class programs,” Dr. Marsh said.
The summit consisted of various presentations from WVU vision research faculty, additional WVU faculty researchers, residents, graduate students, medical students and a keynote address delivered by Angela Bowman, PhD, Director of Scientific Research for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Her presentation was titled “Driven by Science: How the Foundation Fighting Blindness Shapes Progress in Blinding Retinal Diseases.”
The summit concluded with a poster session where speakers and attendees could view posters showcasing research projects that were discussed throughout the symposium.
The WVU Eye Institute’s basic science vision research team consists of a diverse and multidisciplinary faculty of physicians and scientists in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience.
Marsh said this teamwork, paired with the upcoming 2027 opening of the new $233 million WVU Eye Institute facility, has the university poised to bring in additional leaders, learners and educators.
For more information on the WVU Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/eye. For patient information, visit wvumedicine.org/our-care/institutes/eye.
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