Sayoko Moroi, MD, PHD

About

Biography

I am Sayoko Moroi, MD, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I specialize in glaucoma research focused on preventing vision impairment and blindness. My research focuses on improving how we identify risk factors, monitor disease progression and personalize care to achieve better outcomes.

My interest in glaucoma is both personal and professional. Inspired by my father’s experience with the disease, I am driven to combine clinical insight with research to improve patient outcomes and offer hope. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve – the pathway that carries visual information from the retina to the brain – and remains a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide.

Although current treatments including medications, laser therapy and surgery, aim to lower intraocular pressure, some patients continue to experience disease progression. Clinical studies supported by the National Eye Institute and others have identified key risk factors such as thin cornea, family history of glaucoma and fluctuations in eye pressure. Still, these factors do not fully explain why vision loss continues for some individuals.

To address this gap, my research includes advancing how we measure and manage intraocular pressure outside the clinic. We use rebound tonometry devices, such as the iCare HOME instrument, to capture eye pressure throughout the day and night. These real-world measurements help us better understand pressure fluctuations and tailor treatment strategies. Our team maintains a shared library of these devices to support patients and clinicians in personalizing care around this modifiable risk factor.

I am also working to improve access to vision testing through newer technologies. For patients who are unable to complete standard peripheral vision testing, we are using head-mounted display systems that allow visual field testing through goggles. These systems can also assess vision and color vision, expanding our ability to evaluate patients in more flexible and patient-friendly ways.

Another area of focus is genetics. I study how genetic markers relate to disease type, severity, intraocular pressure and the biological pathways involved in glaucoma. This work aims to improve risk stratification, helping us identify which patients are more likely to experience progression and may need more aggressive treatment, while others may be safely monitored.

In addition, I lead efforts in machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence to advance precision medicine in eye care. Our multidisciplinary team brings together clinicians, computer scientists and biostatisticians to build large, multimodal data sets that combine de-identified clinical data, high-resolution ocular imaging and functional testing. With strong safeguards to protect patient privacy, we use these data to identify patterns and patient-specific risk profiles that are not visible through traditional approaches.

Through this work, we aim to refine diagnosis, better predict disease progression and personalize treatment strategies, ultimately improving outcomes through more precise and data-driven care. .

Credentials

Research

News and media

My news coverage

• NIH awards Ohio State $2.85 million grant for vision research