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Chase A. Ludwig, MD, MS is a vitreoretinal surgeon with a mission to revolutionize myopic vitreoretinal care. Driven by a fundamental desire to fix and improve how we prevent and treat myopia, he focuses on combining cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics to uncover strategies that can halt the progression of high and pathologic myopia and its retinal complications. His goal is to become a leading expert in this evolving field, advancing both medical understanding and surgical prevention of myopia’s most complex and devastating outcomes.Recognizing the urgency of this global challenge, Dr. Ludwig actively seeks collaborations with like-minded, innovative experts to tackle the surgical management of complex high and pathologic myopia. He believes that progress depends on multidisciplinary partnerships, bold ideas, and a willingness to redefine what’s possible in ophthalmic care.Dr. Ludwig specializes in the management of complex vitreoretinal diseases, with a particular focus on:• Retinal tears and detachments caused by high myopia• Myopic macular degeneration and myopic traction maculopathy• Complex macular holes, especially those related to myopia• Epiretinal membranes (macular pucker), dislocated lenses, trauma, and proliferative vitreoretinopathyHis surgical expertise includes repairing highly complex retinal detachments, treating advanced macular pathology, and restoring vision in cases that demand precision, innovation, and a deep understanding of myopic disease processes.Dr. Ludwig currently serves as a Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, at Stanford University School of Medicine. He graduated summa cum laude from Duke University with a degree in Biology before completing medical school and residency at Stanford University, where he earned induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and numerous research awards, including the prestigious Heed Fellowship. He further honed his expertise during a 2-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear at Harvard Medical School, receiving both the Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Foundation Award for outstanding fellows and Harvard’s Thomas J. Madden Fellowship in Retina.Passionate about patient-centered care and committed to the future of the field, Dr. Ludwig trains and mentors the next generation of vitreoretinal surgeons. His clinical work and academic pursuits reflect a steadfast commitment to shaping the future of myopia care—ensuring that innovation, collaboration, and advanced surgical techniques transform how we treat and prevent this growing global burden.To further bolster his ability to address this challenge, Dr. Ludwig is currently pursuing a second master’s degree at Stanford University with a focus on artificial intelligence. This additional training will expand his toolset, enabling him to apply AI-driven solutions to the prevention and treatment of high and pathologic myopia.
My research focuses on understanding high and pathologic myopia and their retinal sequelae, including retinal detachments, myopic traction maculopathy, and myopic macular degeneration. By leveraging informatics and big data analytics, I aim to uncover strategies that prevent and treat the progression of these complex and devastating conditions. My work takes advantage of the retina’s unique role as the only visible portion of the central nervous system, allowing for discoveries in ophthalmology that have the potential to impact broader fields of medicine.I am actively seeking medical students and residents interested in ophthalmology or vitreoretinal surgery to assist with writing projects and data analytics. If you are passionate about advancing the understanding and management of myopia, I invite you to join me in tackling one of the most pressing global challenges in eye care.