UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute The Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute
by name
Afshari, Natalie A. Baxter, Sally L. Borooah, Shyamanga Brown, Stuart I. Camp, Andrew Do, Jiun Ferreyra, Henry A. Freeman, William R. Goldbaum, Michael H. Granet, David B. Haw, Weldon W. Heichel, Chris W. Hennein, Lauren Huang, Alex A. Huang, Lingling Kikkawa, Don O. Kline, Lanning Korn, Bobby S. Lee, Jeffrey E. Liu, Catherine Y. Moghimi, Sasan Movaghar, Mansoor Nguyen, Thao P. Nudleman, Eric Puig-Llano, Manuel Robbins, Shira L. Rudell, Jolene Savino, Peter J. Scott, Nathan L. Spencer, Doran B. Toomey, Christopher B. Vasile, Cristiana Weinreb, Robert N. Welsbie, Derek S.
by specialty
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Cornea & Cataracts Dry Eye Clinic Glaucoma Neuro-Ophthalmology Ocular Oncology Ophthalmic Genetics Ophthalmic Pathology Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science Optometry & Low Vision Pediatric Ophthalmology & Eye Alignment Disorders Refractive Surgery / LASIK Retina & Vitreous Thyroid Eye Clinic Uveitis
by condition
AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) Cataracts Corneal Conditions Cosmetic Surgery Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Cancer Eye Movement Disorders Glaucoma Hereditary (Genetic) Disorders Low Vision Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Pediatric Conditions Refractive Errors Retinal Diseases Strabismus (Strabimus) Thyroid Eye Disease Uveitis
Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science

Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science



Informatics is the "science of how to use data, information, and knowledge to improve human health and the delivery of health care services" (American Medical Informatics Association). At the UC San Diego Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and the Shiley Eye Institute, our Division of Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science is dedicated to advancing data science, artificial intelligence, and big-data analytics for the improvement of vision and health.

We are conducting cutting-edge research as well as providing clinical informatics support to develop and integrate state-of-the-art health information technology tools into the day-to-day care of our patients. Our division is engaged in a range of activities, including:

  • NIH-funded research in health information technology integration, big data, and artificial intelligence
    • Examples:
      • Deep learning analyses of optic nerve and retinal images
      • Big-data predictive analytics with electronic health record data
      • Innovations in sensor technology and wearables
      • Genomics
  • Providing core resources such as high-performance computing and state-of-the-art custom computer programming through the UCSD Computational Ophthalmology Group
  • Seminar series with notable ophthalmologists, informaticists, and data scientists from across the world
  • Training programs to develop the next generation of ophthalmic informaticists and data scientists
  • Journal clubs and research symposia to discuss cutting-edge research
  • Providing support to faculty, staff, and trainees as they implement new informatics and digital tools for research and clinical applications
  • Founding member of the UC San Diego Halicioglu Data Science Institute
  • Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Committee on Artificial Intelligence
  • Member of the National Research Network (NRN) headquartered at the UC San Francisco Center for Clinical Informatics and Improvement Research


We also value diversity and inclusion as an utmost priority. Some of the ways we have prioritized diversity include making concerted efforts to study individuals from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research, recruit trainees from diverse backgrounds, and ensure data analyses, algorithms, and implementation of tools are performed in a transparent fashion while minimizing bias and reducing health disparities.

Training opportunities


Faculty in the division have trained and mentored undergraduates, postbaccalaureate students, medical students, residents, and fellows via independent study courses, research electives, mentoring programs, summer internships, and other pathways.

We are also proud to offer an Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science Fellowship Program, a unique postdoctoral training opportunity for physicians and scientists interested in advancing their understanding of biomedical and clinical informatics as applied to vision science and clinical ophthalmology. Learn more about the fellowship opportunities.

Affiliated Faculty from the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology


Sally L. Baxter, MD, MSc – Division Chief, Dual Board-Certified in Ophthalmology and Clinical Informatics
Dirk-Uwe Bartsch, PhD
Akram Belghith, PhD
Chris Bowd, PhD
Mark Christopher, PhD
William Freeman, MD
Michael Goldbaum, MD
Sasan Moghimi, MD
Eric Nudleman, MD, PhD
Robert N. Weinreb, MD
Derek Welsbie, MD, PhD
Linda Zangwill, PhD

Collaborating Faculty from Other Division/Departments at UCSD


UCSD Health Department of Biomedical Informatics
UCSD Health Information Services
UCSD Halicioglu Data Science Institute
UCSD Division of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health
UCSD Department of Computer Science and Engineering



K12 Award Program

The overall objective of the NEI Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Program Award at UCSD is to develop outstanding clinician scientists to successfully compete at the national level for NIH grants and emerge as leaders within academic Ophthalmology. Through this institutional career development award, we will mentor clinician scientists toward independent academic appointments in ophthalmology.

VIEW MORE

In the News

Alex Huang, MD, PhD featured in UC San Diego Health Discoveries Magazine

SEI part of UC San Diego Health Expansion

Sally L. Baxter, MD, MSc, is the 2024 recipient of the Ludwig von Sallmann Clinician-Scientist Award

Congratulations! Kiana Tavakoli, MD

Lifetime Legacy Award Honoree: Darlene Shiley

VIEW MORE

Whats Your Symptom Disclaimer

The information contained in this online site is intended to provide accurate and helpful health information for the general public. It is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, psychological, or any other kind of personal professional services on this site. The information should not be considered complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions or their treatment. It should not be used in place of a call or visit to a medical, health or other competent professional, who should be consulted before adopting any of the suggestions in this site or drawing inferences from it.

The information about drugs contained on this site is general in nature. It does not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions of the medicines mentioned, nor is the information intended as medical advice for individual problems or for making an evaluation as to the risks and benefits of taking a particular drug.

The operator(s) of this site, and the publisher, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the material on this site.

Click Here To Accept

Email Us

First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Phone
Topic

Required *

Submit