William F Mieler, MD, FACS, FARVO
Cless Family Professor
UIC Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs
Director, Ocular Oncology Clinic
Co-Director, Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program
President, American Ophthalmological Society, 2025-26
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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About
William F. Mieler, MD, FACS, FARVO is a retina specialist whose areas of expertise include diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, along with ocular oncology. Dr. Mieler received his Doctorate of Medicine degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Medical School (1979). After completion of his Internship at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in San Diego, CA (1980), he completed a three-year ophthalmology residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL (1980-83). This was followed by a one-year vitreoretinal fellowship at the Eye Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI (1983-84), under the direction of Thomas M Aaberg, MD. He then returned to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute where he served as Chief Resident and Clinical Instructor (1984-85). Dr. Mieler then completed a second fellowship in Ocular Oncology, at Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA (1985), under the guidance of Jerry A Shields, MD.
In 1985, he joined the full-time faculty at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he became Professor of Ophthalmology (1992) and was awarded the Jack A. and Elaine D. Klieger Chair in Ophthalmology (1998). Dr. Mieler then joined the faculty at the Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, TX, as Professor of Ophthalmology (1999-2004). He then accepted the position of Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, at the University of Chicago (2004-08), prior to his current position at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2008-present). He also briefly served as Interim Chair at UIC (2014). He has been a member of the UIC Sweeney Society of Excellence since 2014.
Dr. Mieler has authored or co-authored 380 scientific papers, 130 book chapters, and 8 textbooks, including most recently The Retina Atlas, 2nd edition (2017), Macular Surgery (2020), and Clinical Cases in Medical Retina (2024). Additionally, a 3rd edition of The Retina Atlas is in press, and is slated to be published in early 2026. He has presented 30 named lectures. Dr. Mieler is/has been the Principle Investigator or co-Investigator of more than 95 Scientific Grants and Collaborative Studies. He has served on the Editorial Board of Archives of Ophthalmology, RETINA, Current Eye Research, and the American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of The Asia Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology. He also has served as a scientific reviewer for over 70 additional scientific journals.
Dr. Mieler co-founded the Midwest Ocular Angiography Conference (MOAC) in 1989. The meeting brings together 50 to 60 retina specialists to discuss challenging mystery retina cases on an annual basis. The meeting is entering its 37th year in 2025. He also founded the Advanced Vitreoretinal Techniques and Technology (AVTT) symposium in 2000, which also includes a Vitreoretinal Fellows course for 2nd year fellows. This course is entering its 26th year in 2025.
Dr. Mieler has been named as a Best Doctor in America (1995-2025), Top Doctor in Chicago (2006-25), America’s Top Cancer Doctors in Chicago (2013-25), and Top Doctor in Cancer, Castle Connolly Medical (2008-2025).
Selected Publications
See a representative list of Dr. Mieler’s published journal articles in PubMed.
Notable Honors
2025, Leaders and Legends in Retina, American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
2021, UIC Distinguished Professor Award, University of Illinois Chicago
2016, Faculty of the Year Award, UIC College of Medicine
2016, Secretariat Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
2016, Distinguished Service Award, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
2013, J. Donald Gass Medal, Macula Society
1992; 2001; 2011, Honor Award; Senior Honor Award; Life Achievement Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
2011, Founders Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
2005, Crystal Apple Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
2000, Lifelong Education for the Ophthalmologist Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
Education
MD: University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical School
Residency in Ophthalmology: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami
Clinical Fellowship in Retina-Vitreous: The Eye Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin
Clinical Fellowship in Ocular Oncology: Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Executive Committee Member, Board of Trustees (2020)
- AAO Board of Trustees (2017-20)
- Associate Secretary, AAO Subspecialty Day Programs (2011-15)
- Chair, Schepens Award (2007-10)
- AAO Council Member (2001-08)
- EyeNet Editorial Advisory Board (2003-07)
- Past Media Spokesman
- Past Member and Chair, CME Advisory Task Force
- Chair, OKAP Committee (1994-98)
- Member, OKAP Committee (1991-98)
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
- Past Committee Member
American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)
- Emeritus Director (2006-present)
- Associate Executive Director (2006)
- Chairman of the Board (2005)
- Board Director (1998-2005)
American Ophthalmological Society (AOS)
- President of the AOS (2025-26)
- Chair of the Council (2022-23)
- Council Member (2018-23)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
- Finance Committee Chair, ARVO Foundation (present)
- ARVO Foundation Anniversary Committee (present)
- Board of Trustees (2010-16)
- President of ARVO (2014-15)
Macula Society
- Past President (2003-04)
Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO)
- Chair, PAAO Foundation Grants Committee (2006-11)
- Pan-American Board of Directors (2001-08)
Retina Society
- Chair, Fellow Grant Award Committee (2005-16)
- Past Executive Committee Member