From the Chair's Desk

Welcome to the UC Davis Eye Center!

I have the privilege of serving as the Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science and lead the UC Davis Eye Center, which includes the Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute in Sacramento, satellite clinics in Davis, Folsom and Roseville, our research laboratories at the Davis Campus and on the Health System Campus in Sacramento, and our education programs in partnership with the UC Davis School of Medicine.

My approach to care is rooted in compassion and trust. I believe that when we seek medical care, we deserve to feel safe, heard, and respected. It is a privilege to be entrusted with your care, and we take that responsibility seriously. My goal is to honor the promise we make as healthcare professionals: to provide you with the highest quality care, guided by integrity, empathy, and expertise.

The best part of this job is the amazing faculty and staff who work hard every day to care for our patients. I value them tremendously, and think you will, too, once you get to know them.

Our goal is to cure vision impairment with existing treatments and to improve upon and discover new therapies in our research labs. The Center for Vision Science at UC Davis has some of the top vision scientists in the country. By supporting our dedication to discovering tools for testing and new treatments, we hope to make progress toward curing many types of blindness.

My background is in the development of patient-reported outcome measures. These measure the effects of treatments on the day-to-day life of individuals. By using such information in our practice, we get to understand the functional limitations and collaborate with patients to implement treatment plans that match their lifestyle and health goals.

I hope you will also get to know our many trainees who work in the department. Our medical students, residents and fellows are valued members of the team. Their education and training in ophthalmology are very important to me and our faculty. It is a privilege to help guide the next generation of physicians, so that our children will one day be treated with diligence, expertise, and empathy.

With advances in research and technology, we know that healthcare will continue to change. As a strategic planner, I will ensure that we adapt to these changes with our patients at the center of our decision making. Teamwork and time urgency are my mantra, and I look forward to working for you to advance the missions of the UC Davis Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science.

K. Thiran Jayasundera, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.S.
Natalie Fosse Endowed Chair in Vision Science Research
Chairman and Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science
University of California Davis Eye Center & Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute