Suzanne Kim, O.D., joined Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine in January as an assistant professor of ophthalmology. Kim specializes in rehabilitation of various low vision conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. She sees patients at Wilmer’s East Baltimore, Bethesda and Columbia locations and has joined the Lions Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center.

What attracted you to the field of ophthalmology?

The eyes are vital sensory organs that are so complex in nature that multiple specialties exist. The eyes are an extension of the brain, and the visual system has yet to be fully understood. There is more to be explored and discovered in the field of ophthalmology. I am dedicated to the rehabilitation aspect of vision loss and providing patients who have low vision with an improved quality of life through rehabilitation.

What are your research interests?

My research interests include psychosocial factors of living with low vision and how they affect patient outcome and success with low vision rehabilitation.

What drew you to Wilmer?

The Wilmer Eye Institute is world renowned in eye care and research. I would like to bring my experiences to Wilmer to continue to grow as a clinician and leader in our field. My professional goals include delivering world class vision rehabilitation to individuals of all ages and improving access to care for underserved populations.

What are you working on right now and how will it contribute to the advancement of ophthalmology?

In addition to low vision rehabilitation, I also have a background in visual disorders and anomalies associated with acquired and traumatic brain injuries. This growing field will hopefully allow us to gain a better understanding of the visual system.

Where do you see opportunities for advancement or innovation in your specialty?

Currently, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is growing exponentially. I believe AI technology will continue to make advancements in the field of low vision, so that people living with visual impairment can lead more independent lives.