Y. Joyce Liao, MD, PhD
Professor of Ophthalmology and of Neurology
Dr. Liao is a clinician-scientist who is dedicated to making basic discoveries and improving clinical care and treatment of patients with neuro-ophthalmic conditions (issues that affect vision due to nervous system issues). Dr. Liao received her undergraduate degree with high honors from Harvard University in Biochemical Sciences and her M.D., Ph.D. in Neuroscience (Medical Scientist Training Program) and Fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology from University of California San Francisco. She serves as the Director of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service and Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship as well as Co-Director of the Vision Research Training Program.
A major area of research is the understanding and treatment of human conditions that lead to retinal ganglion cell loss and irreversible thinning of the optic nerve, the only connection between the eye and the brain. This includes hypoxic-ischemic, autoimmune, and other causes. Hypoxic (loss of oxygen), ischemic (loss of blood flow) injury is common in all age groups and can occur as a result of perinatal asphyxiation in babies; near-drowning and poisoning in children; or cardiac arrest, stroke, pulmonary diseases, peri-operative complications, high altitude exposure, and space travel in adults. Dr. Liao uses animal model of HYPOXIA to study what happens to the optic nerve, retina, and brain in lower oxygen. In high altitude, some patients with selective vulnerability can develop ischemic optic neuropathy, which leads to irreversible vision loss. In prolonged space travel, the majority of astronauts develop optic nerve edema and retinal changes, which are of unclear mechanism but may be due to a combination of microgravity, hypoxic-ischemic injury, and other causes. Dr. Liao's group is also studying ANTERIOR ISCHEMIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY, the most common acute optic neuropathy in adults. Current research areas for optic neuropathies include: 1) Development of state-of-the-art in vivo optical, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron-emission tomography techniques in the eye and brain in humans and animal models of hypoxic-ischemic injury, in order to identify novel biomarkers that can help direct treatment; 2) Study of the cellular and subcellular changes to the retinal neurons, glia, axons and axonal transport following optic nerve injury; and 3) Development of highly promising treatment approaches for optic neuropathies and vision loss, including neuroprotection and regenerative therapy, in order to identify effective ways to treat human vision loss in the future.
A second major area of research is on clinical assessments of visual function and vision rehabilitation. Visual disability is significantly greater in almost all patients with neuro-ophthalmic conditions, because they impact daily activities such as driving, using a computer, and work. Dr. Liao founded the Stanford Human Ocular Motor Lab in 2006 and has 3 video infrared eye trackers that have been systematically used to measure eye behavior in hundreds of subjects with a variety of vision and eye movement issues. Her research focuses on how important visual function, such as reading and watching scenery (e.g. on TV), is affected by eye and brain diseases. The goal is that one day, she can use eye behavior to understand how different neuro-ophthalmic diseases impact visual function and to design better rehabilitation to help patients improve their visual function and quality of life. By recording and studying eye behavior during functional visual tasks like reading and watching a movie, which requires a combination of good vision and eye movement control, Dr. Liao hopes to decipher what contributes to visual dysfunction in the real world and design appropriate treatment and rehabilitation in the future.
Hypoxic-ischemic injury
Optic Disc Drusen
Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism
Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy
Optic Neuritis and Multiple Sclerosis
Pseudotumor Cerebri
Professor - University Medical Line, Ophthalmology
Professor - University Medical Line, Neurology & Neurological Sciences
Member, Bio-X
Member, SPARK at Stanford
Member, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance
Member, Maternal & Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI)
Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
Director, Center for Optic Disc Drusen, Stanford University School of Medicine (2019 - Present)
Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology (2019 - Present)
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology (2008 - Present)
Director, Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship, Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology (2017 - Present)
Co-Director, Vision Postdoctoral Training Program, Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology (2010 - Present)
Director, Stanford Human Ocular Motor Center, Stanford University Department of Ophthalmology (2006 - Present)
Editorial Board, American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Report (2020 - Present)
Faculty Educator of the Year, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford (2020)
Young Investigator Award, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (2011)
Grant Award, Weston Havens Foundation (2011-2013)
McCormick Faculty Award, Office of Diversity and Leadership (2011-2013)
Grant Award, Stanford University Vice Provost Undergraduate Research Faculty Grant (2010-2020)
Career Award in Biomedical Sciences, Burroughs Wellcome Foundation (2005-2014)
S. Weir Mitchell Award, American Academy of Neurology (2004)
K08 Award, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (2003-2008)
Dean's Prize in Research, University of California, San Francisco (1992)
Member, Assistant Professor Review Committee, Stanford University School of Medicine (2018 - Present)
Member, Research Committee, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) (2018 - Present)
Member, Scientific Program Committee, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) (2015 - Present)
Member, Neuro-Ophthalmology subcommittee of Annual Meeting Program Committee, American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO) (2014 - Present)
Vice Chair and Board Member, California State Athletic Commission Medical Advisory Board (2010 - 2013)
Member, Abstract Committee, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) (2008 - 2014)
Disease Pathogenesis and Treatment of Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, Stanford University (9/9/2008 - Present)
Jeffrey Goldberg, Ophthalmology - School of Medicine
Ben Barres, Professor of Neurobiology, of Developmental Biology, of Neurology and, by courtesy, of Ophthalmology, Stanford
Marius Wernig, Associate Professor of Pathology and, by courtesy, of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford
Lawrence Steinman, Stanford
Eye Movement Control and Abnormalities in Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions, Stanford University (9/9/2006 - Present)
Reading Difficulties in Parkinson's Disease (8/1/2015)
Kathleen Poston, Stanford
Veronica Santini, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medicine
Reading Abnormalities in Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders (8/1/2006)
Gary Steinberg, Stanford
Brian Wandell, Isaac and Madeline Stein Family Professor and Professor, by courtesy, of Electrical Engineering and of Ophthalmology, Stanford
Immunology and Vision Loss (8/1/2007)
Jorg Goronzy, Stanford
Cornelia Weyand, Stanford
Human Non-Invasive Imaging and Recording of Brain Behavior (8/1/2006)
Nancy Fischbein, Professor, Stanford
Michael Iv, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medicine
Theodore Leng, School of Medicine
Douglas Fredrick, Clinical Professor, School of Medicine
Baseline Study, Stanford University, Duke University, Verily (2017)
A prospective large population study to map human health
Sanjiv Gambhir, Professor and Chair of Radiology, Stanford University
Low Vision Aids and Rehabilitation, Stanford University (6/1/2018)
We are developing tools to assist patients with vision difficulties and low vision including special magnifiers, optical character recognition, apps, and other tools. We are also investigating potential rehabilitation programs that may help enhance vision using virtual reality goggles.
Eye-Brain Vision Issues in Space, Stanford University (January 1, 2018)
The majority of astronauts who travel in space for prolonged period of time experiences eye-brain vision issues, possibly from the effects of microgravity, radiation, and other factors. Ocular changes include hyperopic shift, cotton wool spots, choroidal folds, and optic disc edema. Brain changes include upward shift of the brain structures, including the optic chiasm and the frontal lobe, which contribute to visuocognitive and eye movement disorders. This condition is also known as Space-Flight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). Some vision problems rapidly resolve after returning to earth, but others are irreversible. We are interested in studying what causes these important issues, which are arguably the most important human limitation that prevents prolonged space exploration, such as traveling to Mars, and identifying effective countermeasures to treat them in the future.
Fellowship: UCSF Ophthalmology Fellowships (2006) CA
Residency: Stanford University Neurology Residency (2002) CA
Internship: Stanford University Internal Medicine Residency (1999) CA
Medical Education: University of California at San Francisco School of Medicine (1998) CA
A.B., Harvard, Biochemical Sciences (1991)
Ph.D., UCSF, Neuroscience (1996)
Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Neurology (2005)
Academic Tel: (650) 723-6995 Fax: (650) 725-6619
Alternate Contact Brianna Bennett Administrative Assistant bdenyven@stanford.edu Tel: 650-725-9073
Clinical Stanford Byers Eye Institute 2452 Watson Ct MC 5353 Palo Alto CA 94303 Tel: (650) 723-6995 Fax: (650) 565-8297
Eye-Brain Research
Eye Movement Research
Stanford Center for Optic Disc Drusen
Optic neuropathy
Expanded Access Program for Idebenone in Patients With Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Who Completed the LEROS Study Not Recruiting
Expanded Access Program for Idebenone in Patients with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy who completed the LEROS Study
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact SPECTRUM, .
Stanford Investigators
Efficacy & Safety of RPh201 Treatment in Patients With Previous Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Not Recruiting
This study is designed as a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous (SC) administration of RPh201 in participants with previous NAION. All participants enrolled in Cohort A of the study will have a documented history of NAION for at least 12 months and at most, five years prior to enrollment. Participants enrolled in Cohort B of the study will have a documented history of NAION for at least 6 months and at most, three years prior to enrollment.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Mariana Nunez, 650-497-7846.
Shannon Beres, MD
Heather E. Moss, MD, PhD
Phase 2/3, Randomized, Double-Masked, Sham-Controlled Trial of QPI-1007 in Subjects With Acute Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Not Recruiting
This study will determine the effect of QPI-1007 on visual function in subjects with recent-onset NAION and assess the safety and tolerability of intravitreal injections of QPI-1007 in this population. This study will also evaluate the structural changes in the retina following administration of QPI-1007.
Theodore Leng, MD, FACS
Steven Sanislo, MD
Study of Pasireotide in Patients With Rare Tumors of Neuroendocrine Origin Not Recruiting
This study will assess the effectiveness and safety of pasireotide long-acting release in patients who have rare tumors of neuroendocrine origin.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Hadar Keren-Gill, 6507244131.
Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Raxone in LHON Patients Not Recruiting
LEROS is an open-label interventional Phase IV study, designed to further assess the efficacy and safety of Raxone® in the long-term treatment of LHON patients.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Kristina Liu, 408-726-5119.
Clinical Study to Investigate the Long-term Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Ponesimod in Patients With Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis Not Recruiting
This study is an extension to the study AC-058B201 and will investigate the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of ponesimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Angela Campbell, (650) 721-6188.
Jeffrey Dunn, MD
Directed Reading in Neurosciences
NEPR 299 (Aut, Sum)
Directed Reading in Ophthalmology
OPHT 299 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
Early Clinical Experience in Ophthalmology
Medical Scholars Research
Stanford Advisees
Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor
Karanvir Kaushal, Shuo Li, Shweta Modgil, Hirenkumar Patel, Sangeethabalasri Pugazhendhi, Miaomiao Yu
Graduate and Fellowship Programs
Neurosciences (Phd Program)
All Publications (111)
Featured Publications (10)
Books and Book Chapters (1)
Conference Proceedings (35)
Evoked Potentials, Visual
G Protein-Coupled Inwardly-Rectifying Potassium Channels
GTP-Binding Proteins
Ion Channel Gating
Mice, Neurologic Mutants
Optic Chiasm
Optic Disk
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic
Papilledema
Potassium Channels
Retinal Ganglion Cells
Visual Fields
Visual Pathways