Research in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University supports our commitment to reducing preventable blindness in North Philadelphia and surrounding communities. Our work emphasizes eye disease screening and population health, alongside projects in cataract surgery, glaucoma, oculoplastics and medical education.

Faculty, residents and medical students contribute to research and quality improvement projects that connect clinical care with opportunities to improve how eye disease is identified and managed.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and diabetic eye disease screening
We are studying how AI-assisted retinal imaging can support primary care screenings and help identify patients who need further evaluation.

Projects have compared AI and human interpretation of retinal images, examined why some images cannot be evaluated, and assessed patient follow-up after screening. Researchers have also evaluated patient follow-up after a patient care navigator was added to the screening program.

Additional work explores machine learning models and simpler scoring tools to identify patients’ risk for diabetic retinopathy. Also, recent projects have examined factors influencing follow-up appointment scheduling and the effects of AI screening on retina practice productivity. Together, these studies address both screening technology and the practical steps needed to connect screening with care.

Clinical and surgical research
Our research also includes cataract surgery, glaucoma and oculoplastics. Selected studies have examined visual disturbances after cataract surgery, the timing of eye removal following severe eye injury and ocular prosthesis use among patients who have lost an eye. These projects complement the department’s broader interest in clinical questions encountered in ophthalmic practice.

Medical education and student research
Medical education is another research focus, including work examining medical students’ exposure to slit-lamp examination.
Students and residents participate in faculty-mentored research, contribute to publications and present findings at national meetings. In 2025, seven Katz medical students presented posters at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting under the mentorship of Yi Zhang, MD, PhD, Vice Chair of Research. These opportunities help trainees develop research skills while contributing to the department’s clinical and educational work.