“Every patient is important to me. I am grateful God blessed me with the ability to care for so many patients.”
For nearly four decades, Dr. W. Randall McLaughlin has served as an optometrist in The Ohio State University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. He was the first optometrist hired by the department’s legendary chairman, Dr. William H. Havener, who mentored and guided him to success.
Dr. McLaughlin has examined thousands of patients, including many Buckeye athletes and coaches, and has been a trusted and compassionate clinician to generations of families. Among the many patients Dr. McLaughlin has cared for, the most meaningful was his mother, Betty, who now lives with dry macular degeneration in her left eye. They are both thankful for the outstanding physicians in the retina division who have provided her with exceptional care. Her journey has strengthened his lifelong dedication to helping patients facing this difficult disease.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of vision loss. While treatments for wet AMD exist, dry AMD, affecting over 80% of patients, remains far more challenging to treat. To address this urgent need, the W. Randall McLaughlin Honorary Faculty Support Fund was established in 2025. This fund:
- Supports innovative macular degeneration and retinal disease research
- Strengthens patient care and translational research programs
- Creates a lasting legacy of hope for those facing vision loss
About Supporting the Fund
For more information, please contact eye@osumc.edu or call 614-293-8760