Dr. Smith is a partner physician at Glaucoma Associates of Texas in Dallas.

1. Please share with us your background.

I received my Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. I then completed my ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital, where I served as chief resident. I went on to complete a fellowship in glaucoma at the Wills Eye Hospital. I am currently a partner physician at the Glaucoma Associates of Texas and a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical College in Dallas. I have worked in both academia and private practice, enjoy collaborating with others in the ophthalmic industry, and currently serve as a medical monitor for Glaukos.

I have many interests related to the management of adult and childhood glaucoma. I am involved with various aspects of clinical research, serve on many advisory boards, and am a member of multiple professional societies, including the AGS, ASCRS, and AAO, for which I actively volunteer. I am also a big supporter of international education and global outreach efforts, and I oversee the Cure Glaucoma Foundation.

2. What is the focus of your recent research?

The focus of my recent research centers on the efficacy of MIGS in different patient age groups and glaucoma subtypes. The use of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) for IOP control following partial or full-thickness corneal transplant surgery and the use of the Xen Gel Stent (Allergan) in pediatric patients after failed trabeculotomy or goniotomy are currently topics of interest to me, among others.

3. What has your experience been collaborating with industry?

I have had a lot of experience collaborating with industry over the past 15 years in different capacities, including as a consultant or advisor and as a patient advocate. I have been involved in multiple clinical trials as a primary investigator or sub-primary investigator, and I currently serve as the medical monitor for Glaukos’ premarket clinical trials and post-market experiences.

4. In your opinion, how is the role of women in ophthalmology evolving?

More women are going into the field of ophthalmology and entering medicine in general. In recent years, the role of women in academic and nonacademic practice has continued to expand. There are many more programs designed to help empower women and other minority groups, as diversity, equity, and inclusion become a part of our daily conversations. Several organizations such as Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) now offer educational programs and meetings that provide exposure and opportunity to women and serve as a forum for mentorship that will continue to help us advance over time.

5. What hurdles do you feel women in health care still face?

Women still fight twice as hard to achieve the same professional heights as men, and they often juggle more both personally and professionally. They can be a little reserved about speaking up for themselves and being their best advocate. Some institutional policies are being put in place now that will help combat issues that have not been diverse or equitable in the past. The situation is improving through the concerted efforts of many. Our collective ability to advocate for ourselves will provide more opportunities and continue to help make a difference for all.

6. What advice can you offer to young female ophthalmologists who are still in training or just beginning their careers?

Stay the course. Ophthalmology is a lot different today than when I trained, and it is a great field to be in. You may not know what your end goal is or who you want to be when you grow up,” so to speak, but take every opportunity, be confident in your training, engage wherever you find yourself, and seek out a good mentor.

7. Can you propose a unique or creative idea that may help women in ophthalmic practices?

Find a niche or become a subject matter expert in ophthalmology. This can truly help women to stand out in the field. Identify your passion and build your practice around that. You can be a good eye doctor and be good at your personal passion, and find a way to incorporate both into your work.

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PUBLISHED WORKS

• Smith OU, Butler MR, Grover DS, et al. Twenty-four-month outcome of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in eyes with prior corneal transplant surgery. J Glaucoma. 2022;31(1):54-59.
• Sugali CK, Rayana NP, Dai J, et al. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway inhibits the glucocorticoid receptor signaling pathway in the trabecular meshwork. Am J Pathol. 2021;191(6):1020-1035.
• Olivier MMG, Smith OU, Croteau-Chonka CC, et al. Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery use: an Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) registry analysis. Ophthalmology. 2021;128(9):1292-1299.
• Vera V, Shah M, Smith T, Pinto LA, Reitsamer H. Navigating challenges after Xen. Curr Trends Ophthalmol. 2021;4(1).
• Fellman RL, Grover DS, Smith O, Kornmann HL. Rescue of failed Xen 45 Gel Stent implant by Nd:YAG shock wave to anterior chamber tip to dislodge hidden intra-luminal occlusion. J Glaucoma. 2021;30(7):e338-e343.
• Khin KP, Moumneh K, Smith O, et al. PEDI (pullout exteriorized drainage implant) suture: case report of an improved ripcord technique in glaucoma drainage implant devices. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;13-15.
• Patel AR, Schwartz GF, Campbell JH, et al. Economic and clinical burden associated with intensification glaucoma topical therapy: a US claims-based analysis. J Glaucoma. 2021;30(3):242-250.
• Smith OU. Stand-alone surgery for mild to moderate glaucoma and ocular surface disease: June consultation #1. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020;46(6):922.
• Smith O, Grover DS, Emanuel ME, Godfrey DG, Fellman RL. Xen Gel Stent in pediatric glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2020;29(4):e19-e22.
• Kornmann HL, Fellman RL, Feuer WJ, et al. Early results of goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade, a novel device for the treatment of glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:2369-2376.
• Schwartz G, Smith O, et al. Assessing the degree of asymmetry in visual fields for glaucoma patients using the NHANES database. Poster presented at: AAO Annual Meeting. October 12-15, 2019; San Francisco, CA.
• Miller-Ellis EG, Smith O, Croteau-Chonka C, et al. Glaucoma characteristics for MIGS utilization: an IRIS registry analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(9):1996.
• Patel A, Smith O, et al. Patient journey after intensification of topical glaucoma therapy—a US claims-based analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(9):4465.
• Grover DS, Smith O, et al. A retrospective study evaluating XEN 45 surgical outcomes at a single subspecialty glaucoma practice, post-FDA approval. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. March 2019; San Francisco, CA.
• Miller E, Olivier M, Smith O, et al. Racial and demographic patterns of MIGS utilization: IRIS registry analysis. Presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. March 2019; San Francisco, CA.
• Smith O. 5 year outcomes of a study evaluating one, two, or three trabecular micro-bypass stents for OAG. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. March 2019; San Francisco, CA.
• Grover DS, Smith O, et al. Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy: an ab interno circumferential trabeculotomy: 24 months follow-up. J Glaucoma. 2018;27(5):393-401.
• Smith O. Long term IOP control with one, two, or three trabecular micro-bypass stents for OAG: 54 months outcome. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. 2018; New York, NY.
• Emanuel ME, Grover DS, Fellman RL, et al. Micropulse cyclophotocoagulation: initial results in refractory glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2017;26(8):726-729.
• Smith O. Consultation section: glaucoma. July consultation #4. J Cataract Refract Surgery. 2017;43(7):990.
• Herndon LW, Smith O, Khaimi MA, et al. Where we are today with MIGS. Glaucoma Today. March/April 2017. https://glaucomatoday.com/articles/2017-mar-apr/where-we-are-today-with-migs
• Smith OU. Gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in the treatment of angle recession related glaucoma. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. March 2-5, 2017; Coronado, CA.
• Grover DS, Godfrey DG, Smith O, et al. Outcomes of gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in eyes with prior incisional glaucoma surgery. J Glaucoma. 2017;26(1):41-45.
• Smith O, Fellman R, Butler M, Grover D, Godfrey D. Uses of a biodegradable subconjunctival collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrix in glaucoma surgery. Presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. 2016; Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• Grover DS, Smith O, Fellman RL, et al. Gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy: an ab interno circumferential trabeculotomy for the treatment of primary congenital glaucoma and JOAG: a preliminary report. Presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. 2015.
• Grover DS, Smith O, Fellman RL, et al. Gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy: an ab interno circumferential trabeculotomy for the treatment of primary congenital glaucoma and juvenile open angle glaucoma. Br J Ophthalmol. 2015;99(8):1092-1096.
• Smith O, Fellman R, Butler M, Grover D, Godfrey D. Surgical outcomes following the use of a biodegradable subconjunctival collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrix in revisions of late-onset glaucoma filtering bleb leaks. Presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. February 2014.
• Grover DS, Godfrey DG, Smith O, et al. Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy, a novel ab interno trabeculotomy: technique report and preliminary results. Ophthalmology. 2014;121(4):855-861.
• Smith O, Neelakantan A, Fellman R. Ultrasound biomicroscopy findings after supraciliary shunt placement in patients with glaucoma. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA.
• Godfrey D, Grover D, Smith O, Fellman R. Clinical safety and efficacy of 360 degree gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) for the treatment of glaucoma: interim outcomes of POAG. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA.
• Godfrey D, Grover D, Smith O, Fellman R. Clinical safety and efficacy of 360 degree gonioscopy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) for the treatment of eyes with failed glaucoma surgery or juvenile glaucoma. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA.
• Smith O. Managing secondary angle-closure glaucomas. Glaucoma Today. October 2012. https://glaucomatoday.com/articles/2012-sept-oct/managing-secondary-angle-closure-glaucomas
• Grover D, Smith O. Recent clinical pearls from clinical trials in glaucoma. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012;23(2):127-134.
• Smith O. Glaucoma: medical diagnosis and therapy. In Shaarawy T, Sherwood MD, Hitchings RA, Crowston JG, eds. Definitions: what is glaucoma worldwide? Elsevier; 2015.
• Smith O, Grover D. Glaucoma surgery in penetrating and nonpenetrating keratoplasty patients. In: Copeland RA, Ashfari NA, eds. Copeland and Afshari’s Principles and Practice of Cornea. Vol 2. New Delhi: Jaypee Brother; 2012.
• Smith OU, Grover DS, Neelankantan A, Godfrey D, Fellman R. Visual outcomes of toric IOL implantation in patients with trabeculectomy. Poster presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. 2012; New York
• Jones L, Smith O, Yousuf SJ, Kwagyan J. Cyclodestructive procedures for glaucoma (protocol). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;9
• Pappas RM, Jones LS, Smith OU. Success of intraocular pressure control in patients undergoing ex-ress miniature glaucoma implants with and without cataract extraction. Presented at: World Glaucoma Congress. July 2011; Paris, France.
• Smith O. Intra-ocular pressure control in patients undergoing ExPRESS miniature glaucoma implants with and without cataract extraction. Presented at: AGS Annual Meeting. March 2011; Dana Point, CA.
• Smith O, Goldsberry DH. What are ophthalmology residents worth: a cost-benefit analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46(13):1960.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS

• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• International Society of Spaeth Fellows (ISSF)
• American Glaucoma Society (AGS)
• Association for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
• Dallas Association of Ophthalmology (DAO)
• Dallas County Medical Society (DCMS)

HONORS & AWARDS

• Humanitarian Award, American Glaucoma Society | 2022
• Outstanding Female Leader in Ophthalmology Award, MillennialEYE | 2022
• Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology | 2019
• Humanitarian of the Year, Practitioner Award, Grace for Impact | 2019
• Chief Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, Howard University Hospital | 2002
• Most Outstanding Resident of the Year, Howard University Hospital | 2002
• Andrew Blair Aitkens Prize in Surgery (Best Student in Surgery), University of Ibadan | 1995