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John H. Fingert, MD, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Introduction

Glaucoma is a common cause of vision loss that is highly heritable. In addition to taking care of patients with glaucoma, I research the genetic causes of their disease with the goal of developing better and personalized treatment options. I collaborate with top researchers at the University of Iowa’s Institute for Vision Research to study glaucoma biology using molecular genetics, transgenic animal models, human donor eyes, and stem cell biology. 

Current Positions

  • Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
  • Glaucoma Service Director, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
  • The Hadley-Carver Chair in Glaucoma

Education

  • BA in Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
  • BE in Bioengineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
  • PhD in Molecular Genetics of Glaucoma, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
  • MD in Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
  • Internship in Transitional, St. Lukes Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
  • Resident in Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
  • Fellow in Glaucoma, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
  • Fellow in Molecular Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Graduate Program Affiliations

Center, Program and Institute Affiliations

Research Interests

  • Molecular Genetics of Normal Tension Glaucoma
  • Molecular Genetics of Secondary Glaucoma (Pigmentary and Exfoliation Glaucoma)
  • Current research projects
  • Glaucoma caused by TBK1, OPTN, and MYOC gene mutations
  • Research Interest in Molecular genetics of inherited eye disease
  • Molecular Genetics of Dominant Optic Atrophy

Licenses & Certifications

  • ABO MOC Recertification
  • ABO Certification, American Board of Ophthalmology, United States
  • State of Iowa Medical License, Iowa Board of Medicine, Iowa, United States
  • NBME Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners, United States

Selected Publications

  • Dotson AD, Fingert JH, Boese EA. (2024). Unsuccessful transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in oculocutaneous albinism. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 34:102020. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2024.102020. PMID: 38404485. PMCID: PMC10884796.
  • Singh RK, Zhao Y, Elze T, Fingert J, Gordon M, Kass MA, Luo Y, Pasquale LR, Scheetz T, Segrè AV, Wiggs JL, Zebardast N. (2024). Polygenic Risk Scores for Glaucoma Onset in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study. JAMA Ophthalmol 142(4):356-363. DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.0151. PMID: 38483402. PMCID: PMC10941023.
  • Meyer KJ, Mercer HE, Roos BR, Fingert JH, Anderson MG. (2024). Minimal phenotypes in transgenic mice with the human LOXL1/LOXL1-AS1 locus associated with exfoliation glaucoma. Vision Res 223:108464. DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2024.108464. PMID: 39151208. PMCID: PMC11381136.
  • Scheetz TE, Tollefson MR, Roos BR, Boese EA, Pouw AE, Stone EM, Schnieders MJ, Fingert JH. (2024). METTL23 Variants and Patients With Normal-Tension Glaucoma. JAMA Ophthalmol 142(11):1037-1045. DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.3829. PMID: 39325437. PMCID: PMC11428026.
  • Singh RK, Smith S, Fingert J, Gordon M, Kass M, Scheetz T, Segrè AV, Wiggs J, Elze T, Zebardast N. (2024). Machine Learning-Derived Baseline Visual Field Patterns Predict Future Glaucoma Onset in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 65(2):35. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.35. PMID: 38393715. PMCID: PMC10901249.
  • Meyer KJ, Fingert JH, Anderson MG. (2024). Lack of evidence for GWAS signals of exfoliation glaucoma working via monogenic loss-of-function mutation in the nearest gene. Hum Mol Genet 20:ddae088. ONLINE AHEAD OF PRINT. DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae088. PMID: 38770563.
  • Hehr N, Barlow PB, Najdawi W, Reyes AG, Boese EA, Fingert JH, Pouw AE. (2024). The Effect of Insurance Coverage Laws on Glaucoma Eyedrop Medication Usage. Ophthalmology 131(4):507-509. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.12.022. PMID: 38142821.
  • Boese EA, Alward WLM, Fingert JH. (2025). Gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy for MYOC-associated juvenile open angle glaucoma: a case series of eight eyes over 2.2-4.1 years. Ophthalmol Glaucoma 4:S2589-4196(25)00066-3. ONLINE AHEAD OF PRINT. DOI: 10.1016/j.ogla.2025.03.011. PMID: 40188877.
  • Hedberg-Buenz A, Boese EA, Nyunt AW, Sears NC, Pouw AE, Wang K, Fingert JH. (2025). Increased aqueous humor levels of endothelin-1 in patients with open angle glaucoma. BMC Ophthalmol 25(1):46. DOI: 10.1186/s12886-025-03861-y. PMID: 39856599. PMCID: PMC11760677.
  • Fingert JH, Tollefson MR, Roos BR, Boese E, Pouw AE, Stone EM, Schnieders M, Scheetz TE. (2024). METTL23 mutations and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in a United States population. Inves. Ophth. & Vis. Sci. 65(7):4235.