News

May 6th – 12th is National Nurses Week!  This week, UNC Ophthalmology celebrates all the UNC Medical Center nurses who are vital to ocular trauma ER response at our top-tier Level 1 Trauma Center and across the UNC Health system. UNC Ophthalmology Chair Don Budenz, MD, stated: “Our emergency room...

In May, the flowering pollinators of April send many allergy sufferers running for over-the-counter anti-histamine eyedrops to remedy itchy, watery eyes. During this seasonal change, practicing good eye health can center narrowly around taking OTCs and discussing symptoms management with one’s PCP. May is therefore a timely month to address...

On Saturday, April 13th, UNC Ophthalmology faculty, trainees and ophthalmic techs joined eye care professionals from across the Southeast to learn from one another, get acquainted and share application-to-practice knowledge via lectures and hands-on learning at the daylong 2024 UNC EYE Symposium. Each year at the William & Ida Friday...

The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024, will draw multitudes outdoors to witness a rare, celestial wonder that will not occur again in North America until August 2044. As the moon completely blocks the face of the sun (total) across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and small portion of...

Every sport involves a degree of rigor and ability, and every sport carries a degree of injury risk.  Of the nearly 30,000 ER visits for sports-related eye injuries each year, an astounding 90 percent could be avoided if protective eyewear were worn.  Youth and adults alike state a range of...

Every year, the eye specialist community across the global recognizes the vital role that optometrists play in expanding and reinforcing the reach of comprehensive eye care worldwide. This year, the World Optometry Council has designated “Advancing Optometry’s Commitment to Global Eye Care” as the theme of this annual recognition day....

North Carolina Lions Club chapters have long supported the strides in medicine made by UNC Department of Ophthalmology. In February 2024, UNC Department of Ophthalmology was honored to receive a $10,000 check from the Raleigh Host Lions Club designated to support research at the Carolina Eye Research Institute. UNC Ophthalmology...

  In late February 2024, UNC Ophthalmology residents faced off against their Wake Forest University and Duke University peers in the second annual Tri-Residency Glaucoma Cup Quiz Bowl. Taking home the trophy for best case presentations, “Team UNC” pulled off their first Glaucoma Cup win in this year’s event (hosted...

Post-pandemic, working remotely is the norm for millions of displaced Americans who now work part- or full-time in their homes. Extended periods in front of screens has caused remote and desk job office workers alike to increasingly suffer symptoms of digital eye strain. Though no association exists between digital eye...

Among providers honored in medicine via recognition days, a highly representative group of teaching hospital physicians cannot be overlooked – residents and fellows. Led by the Gold Humanism Society, “Thank a Resident and Fellow Day” annually celebrates residents and fellows as vital contributors to patient care and healthcare workforce team...

UNC Department of Ophthalmology is pleased to welcome Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Rodolfo Bonatti, MD, to our Glaucoma division! Dr. Bonatti has extensive academia and private practice experience and expertise in treating adult and pediatric glaucoma, as well as other areas, including cataract surgery and ocular trauma. He enjoys exploring...

Aging adults who face increased odds of developing a degenerative eye disease often narrow their eye health focus to watching for signs of the world’s two leading causes of blindness – cataract and glaucoma.  Lost in the messaging mix among seniors across the U.S. is adequate awareness of age-related macular...