John E. Sutphin Jr, MD, Luther and Ardis Fry Professor Emeritus, Department of Ophthalmology

Professional Background

A retired navy captain and Luther and Ardis Fry Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at KU, Dr. Sutphin is an internationally recognized leader in cornea and external disease and refractive surgery. He is well-known for cutting-edge research on ocular infectious disease, corneal microscopy, corneal transplant survival and pioneering laser surgery for Navy Seals.
His scholastic and. Previously, he was Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa (1993-2006) and Chairman of Ophthalmology at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego (1986-1993).
Dr. Sutphin is well renowned for his contributions to ophthalmic education. In Kansas, he has overseen the training of more than 20 residents and fellows. While in Iowa and San Diego, he participated in the training of more than 100 residents and fellows. At Iowa, he developed one of the world's largest resident and fellow refractive training programs. For 10 years, he was a section editor for "Clinical Practice" for The Ocular Surface. He has participated extensively in the educational programs of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, including the cornea basic and clinical science course. A Director and ABO representative to the AAO since 2008, he was the Chair of the American Board of Ophthalmology in 2015.

• BS, Millsaps Col.
• MD, Vanderbilt Univ.
• Internship, Rotating, Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, CA
• Residency, Ophthalmology, Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, CA
• Clinical Fellowship, Cornea and External Disease, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• Clinical Fellowship, Anterior Segment Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
• Clinical Fellowship, Cornea & External Disease, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

• Board Certification, American Board of Ophthalmology
• Board Certification, American Board of Ophthalmology
• Medical Doctor, Kansas Board of Healing Arts
• Medical Doctor, Missouri Board of Healing Arts

• American Board of Ophthalmology, Audit Committee, Chair, 2018 - Present
• Kansas City Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, President, 2017 - 2018
• American Board of Ophthalmology, Chair, 2015 - 2016
• American Academy of Ophthalmology, Nominating Committee, Member, 2014 - 2014
• American Board of Ophthalmology, Vice Chair, 2014 - 2015
• Kansas City Society of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, Treasurer, 2014 - 2017
• American Academy of Ophthalmology, Regional Section, Co-Chair, 2009 - 2014

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Research

Overview

An internationally recognized leader in cornea and external diseases and refractive surgery, he has over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and is particularly well-known for his leading-edge clinical research on ocular infectious disease, corneal confocal microscopy, and corneal transplant survival. During his tenure in the navy, he pioneered laser surgery for Navy Seals. As the director of the cornea service as the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, he played a key role in the introduction of regional refractive services. As director of the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, he was instrumental in the local introduction and development of endothelial keratoplasty.

• IVCM: In vivo confocal microscopy prospective evaluation of morphologic features of uveitis and keratitis, KUMC, PI
• Zoster Eye Disease Study (ZEDS), KUMC, PI