AGS 2025: Achieving success as an academic ophthalmologist with Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, PhD

Thomas V. Johnson III, MD, PhD, moderated a breakfast roundtable discussion on achieving success as an academic ophthalmologist with attendees during the 2025 American Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting, held from February 26 to March 2 in Washington, DC. He highlighted the dual role of clinician-scientists—balancing patient care with research while striving to develop new treatments, surgical techniques, and diagnostic tools that have the potential to preserve vision for millions.

Johnson, who is the Allan and Shelly Holt Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, underscored the critical need for efficiency in managing clinical, research, and administrative responsibilities. He emphasized the importance of staying current with the literature and engaging in professional meetings to ensure research remains cutting-edge. For early-career ophthalmologists, he provided key recommendations, including building a strong mentorship team of senior faculty who can offer guidance on research, work-life balance, and administrative pathways to success.

Collaboration, he noted, is increasingly essential in modern science, particularly as fields like bioinformatics, big data, and artificial intelligence become integral to ophthalmic research. Establishing networks with experts in various disciplines can greatly enhance the quality and impact of research. Additionally, he encouraged junior faculty to focus on developing a cohesive body of work with a clear theme, rather than just accumulating individual publications. This approach helps establish a recognizable contribution to the field over time.

Johnson also addressed the unique position of clinician-scientists, who must compete for funding and publications against full-time researchers. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, he argued that their deep clinical insights provide a distinct advantage. He echoed the late David Epstein, MD’s perspective that the clinic itself serves as a laboratory—where patient interactions and observations often inspire novel research questions. By leveraging their clinical expertise and patient experiences, ophthalmologists can drive impactful research that directly improves patient outcomes.