Karen M. Joos, M.D., Ph.D.
Education
M.D., University of Iowa
Ph.D., University of Iowa
B.S., University of Iowa
Postgraduate Training
Internship
St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, TX
Residency
Ophthalmology, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, IA
Fellowship
Glaucoma Clinical and Research, The Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
American Glaucoma Society (AGS)
Tennessee Society of Eye Surgeons
Nashville Academy of Ophthalmology (NAO)
Women Professors of Ophthalmology (WPO)
American Medical Association (AMA)
Tennessee Medical Association (TMA)
Nashville Academy of Medicine (NAM)
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
The International Society of Optical Engineering (SPIE)
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) - Ophthalmology Associate
Vanderbilt Vision Research Center (VVRC)
Vanderbilt Institute in Surgery and Engineering (VISE)
Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center (VBC)
Department of Biomedical Engineering (Secondary Appointment)
Honors & Awards
National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding
Five patents
American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award
American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Award
Fellow (Gold) - Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
Fellow - American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS)
Consumers Research Council of America Guide to America's Top Ophthalmologists
Vanderbilt Eye Institute Keystone Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Vanderbilt Eye Institute Bridge Builder Award
Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship
Chief Resident, Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa
P.J. Leinfelder Resident's Research Award, The University of Iowa
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
Phi Beta Kappa
Areas of Clinical Expertise
Glaucoma, Adult and children
Glaucoma, All types including advanced
Research Interests
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) surgical development
Robotic ophthalmic surgical development
Global Biobank Meta-analysis Initiative (GBMI) - glaucoma genetics
Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN)
Glaucoma molecular pathways
Background
Dr. Joos specializes in the management of glaucomatous diseases in children and adults, including the medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma. She has particular expertise in diagnosing and treating pediatric glaucoma, as well as adult glaucomas in the advanced stages. Surgical techniques include laser iridotomy, laser iridoplasty, laser trabeculoplasty, goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy with and without anti-metabolites, glaucoma drainage implants, and diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. Dr. Joos is the principal investigator of an ophthalmology research laboratory that has received national funding since 1994.