Department of
Medical Education

Brian McMillan, M.D.

A photo of Brian McMillan.
Brian McMillan, MD
Position
Associate Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Phone
304-598-6925

Name: Brian McMillan, MD

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology

Medical School: West Virginia University

Residency: West Virginia University

Faculty Rank: Associate Professor

Special Clinical/Research Interests: Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), complex cataract surgery, traditional glaucoma filtration surgery, laser surgery, surgical outcomes research, education

Is there a particular population of students (e.g., ethnicity, spiritual, sexual orientation) that you would particularly like to advise? 

Any and all

What does a typical day in the life of an Ophthalmologist include?

A typical day usually involves utilizing multiple technologies to examine, image and access visual function, diagnose and treat disease. Ophthalmology is very progressive in utilizing advanced tissue imaging, laser and microsurgical techniques. Ophthalmologist also monitor chronic eye diseases and develop a close rapport with many patients

What is the biggest challenge of being a glaucoma specialist?

As a Glaucoma specialist the biggest challenge is dealing with a chronic, progressive, and irreversible condition that initially, rarely has symptoms and educating patients with the disease about the importance of treatment and monitoring to prevent severe vision lost

How do you foresee Glaucoma changing over the next 20 years?

We will likely see Artificial Intelligence (AI) become an important tool to aid in monitoring for disease progression and better inform treatment decisions.

What advice would you give a student who is considering an Ophthalmology residency?

I highly encourage students to come work with us at the Eye Institute and in the operating room. There are many opportunities such as shadowing during the 1st year of the curriculum and particularly as a 3rd either as part of the Surgery rotation, 4th year electives or during their free time. It is very important to have exposure prior to choosing a path so they can be more confident that they will enjoy a long career of helping patients.