Sayoko Moroi, MD, PHD
Physician, Professor
Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology - Glaucoma
Make an appointment
614-293-8116
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Glaucoma
- Cataract
- Genetics
- Pediatric Glaucoma
- Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
- Eye Pain
Locations
- Outpatient Care New Albany
- Havener Eye Institute Dublin
- Havener Eye Institute
Academics and research
Department: Ophthalmology
About
- Gender
- Female
Biography
As an ophthalmologist, I specialize in the medical care and surgical management of glaucoma as well as treating patients with complex cataracts, unusually small eyes, 'complex eyes' as part of a genetic condition, and complications after surgery.
When I first sit down with a patient, I tell them more about their eye diseases and conditions, and the value of tests and procedures to determine if their eyes are stable or not. Glaucoma is a long-term disease and currently there is no cure, so follow-up care and prognosis will be discussed. I inform patients of the treatment options, then we decide which approach to take based on the stage of their disease, lifestyle, cost, side effects of treatment and risk of complications. I’m privileged to help individuals improve and preserve vision, and especially to prevent blindness.
I returned to The Ohio State University to give back in service as chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science in appreciation of my MD and PhD training. The people are fantastic and show stellar qualities that help them provide outstanding care to individuals.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking our dog, going on fishing adventures, gardening and cooking.
Highlights
- Delivered the 2018 Robert N. Shaffer Lecture at the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Delivered the 2020 Clinician Scientist Lecture at the American Glaucoma Society
- Served as co-senior author on the fifth, sixth and seventh editions of the Shields' Textbook of Glaucoma
- Worked on the team science in glaucoma genetics as part of the NEIGHBORHOOD Consortium
- Worked on the team science in eye physiology and eye tissue biomechanics to understand pathways of eye fluid circulation and eye pressure regulation
Conditions and expertise
- Cataract
- Dry Eye Syndromes
- Eye Pain
- Genetics
- Glaucoma
- Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
- Pediatric Glaucoma
Locations
Havener Eye Institute
in Eye and Ear Institute
915 Olentangy River Road
Suite 5000
Columbus, OH 43212
Suite 5000
Columbus, OH 43212
614-293-8116
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Glaucoma
- University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, MI
7/1/1994 - 6/30/1995 - Fellowship - Glaucoma
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
7/1/1993 - 6/30/1994 - Residency - Ophthalmology
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
7/1/1990 - 6/30/1993 - Internship - Internal Medicine
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
7/1/1989 - 6/30/1990 - Doctor of Philosophy
- Ohio State University at Columbus, Columbus, OH
8/1/1982 - 6/9/1989 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
6/1/1982 - 6/9/1989
Certification
-
American Board of Ophthalmology
5/4/1997
Academics and research
My goal is to prevent glaucoma-related blindness. Over my 25 years at the University of Michigan and now at The Ohio State University since 2020, I have focused primarily on patient outcomes and genetics. I have assimilated my clinical experience, evidence-based medicine, and research to develop an individualized treatment plan for a patient based upon their phenotype and environment of work, hobbies, and home. This individualized approach toward prevention and treatment strategies are the fundamental principles of precision medicine.
Specifically on patient outcomes, I have focused on those individuals who are outside the average or median, such as unusual pharmacological treatment reactions, surgical results, wound healing, and clinical-pathological correlations. Specifically on genetics, I have been a key clinical contributor to a complex co-morbid glaucoma-retina phenotype that confirmed a novel causative mutation that was initially only attributed to a retina phenotype. I have been a major clinical contributor to an otolaryngology, retina, and glaucoma projects on genetics. With “on-the-job” genetics team science environment at Michigan, I was first author on a genetics project focused on case-control candidate gene study design and an integral participant in a glaucoma consortium, called NEIGHBOR (NEI Glaucoma Human Collaboration). I was the co-investigator with Michigan geneticist, Jun Li, PhD, leading the quantitative trait analysis of intraocular pressure (IOP) and central cornea thickness.
With respect to clinical trials, I served as site PI for the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study, Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, and numerous clinical pharmacology trials. I serve as PI for a NIH funded, multi-center project that is designed to establish a clinical database on aqueous humor dynamics under baseline and glaucoma drug treatment conditions. I serve as multi-PI on a NSF grant focused on aqueous vein outflow and perilimbal sclera tissue biomechanics and NEI R21 grant focused on ocular conditions and diseases in women’s health. I also serve as co-investigator on Dr. Andras Komaromy’s pre-clinical gene therapy testing in a spontaneous dog model of glaucoma. The outcomes of these research projects align with the goal of precision medicine whereby informative biomarkers will be used to prevent glaucoma-related blindness and improve outcomes.
Research interests
- Intraocular Pressure Variation in Glaucoma Treatment
Active Funding
The Ohio State University Vision Sciences Research Core Program (OSU-VSRCP)
P30EY032857 (PI: Sayoko E. Moroi, MD, PhD)
09/30/2022 - 06/30/2027
The goal of this project is to provide high quality and cost-effective services to the vision scientists at The Ohio State University in three modules: Core A. Structural and Functional Assessments; Core B. Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Genetic Analysis; and Core C. Image Analysis and Data Science.
Towards healthy aging: Quantifying vestibular contributors to age-related changes in balance and fall risk
R01AG073113 (PI: Merfeld)
Role: Co-Investigator
09/30/2021 - 05/31/2026
The goal of this project is to develop and test an intervention designed to improve vestibular precision, which could also improve balance and reduce falls.
Research to prevent blindness challenge grant
(PI: Sayoko E. Moroi, MD, PhD)
01/01/2023 - 12/31/2026
The goal of the RPB Challenge Grant is to encourage growth for a newly emerging eye research program and recently appointed department chair at non-grantee ophthalmology departments at university-connected medical schools.
Metabolic imaging to assess mitochondrial stress in the optic nerve and retina
Columbus Foundation, Ann Ellis Fund, CFB24-0561 (PI: Sayoko E. Moroi, MD, PhD)
01/01/2024 - 12/31/2025
The goal of the Ann Ellis Fund grant from the Columbus Foundation is to characterize oxidative stress in the optic nerve and retina and perform a pilot project in “case-control” design to determine if a signal change in oxidative stress can be detected.
Honors and Awards
- Top 100 Women in Ophthalmology Power List, The Ophthalmologist, 2021
- 43rd Annual Midwest Glaucoma Symposium: Delivered four lectures (2020)
- Roger P. Mason, MD Glaucoma Lecture, Howard University, 2020
- Invited talk, “Illuminating our Blindspots and Preventing Blindness," American Glaucoma Society, 2020
- Invited talk, “How to Play in the Sandbox with Optometry," AAO, 2018
- 39th Annual Robert N. Shaffer Glaucoma Lecture, AAO Annual Meeting, 2018
- Top 25 Most Read Article, Ophthalmology, 2015
- Cohort of the Rudi Ansbacher Women Leadership Scholars Program, 2015
- Marquis’ Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, 2014
- International Association of Healthcare Professionals, 2014
- Best Papers from ASCRS/ASOA Symposium, 2013
- ASCRS Best Paper of Session, 2013
- Certificate of Appreciation for Service as Mentor, ARVO Foundation, 2013
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Glaucoma Society
- American Medical Association
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- Women in Ophthalmology
Editorial Activities
Journal Reviewer for:
- American Journal of Ophthalmology
- Archives of Ophthalmology
- British Journal of Ophthalmology
- Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- Journal of Glaucoma
- PLOS One
Academic information
- Department:
- Ophthalmology
- Division:
- Ophthalmology
Leadership titles
- William H. Havener, MD Endowed Professor
- Chair and Director of the Havener Eye Institute
More about my research
News and media
My Videos
My news coverage
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
145 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 Dr. Moroi has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology
- Canadian Ophthalmological Society
- Genentech
- Loyola University Chicago
- University of Texas Southwestern
My care provider, Dr. Mori, does her professional best to provide me with the best possible Glaucoma medical eye treatment. I do understand, my multiple eye diseases are extremely difficult to treat individually. As person with multiple difficult eye disease to treat together as combined medical case; therefore, with my multiple eye disease(s) for Dr. Mori as was the case, when Dr. Fredrick Kepentansky was my Glaucoma Eye Specialist.
Experiences with Dr. Moroi have all been great
Dr. Moroi is absolutely delightful, very very good at what she does, very methodical, professional and explains everything so as to ensure that you know the what, where and how in regards to your condition and care.
Thee best
Dr Moroi was timely and thorough in treating my condition. She explained options and alternative solutions and always listens to my concerns.
Warm greetings and care for the patient!
Dr. Moroi is very knowledgeable and caring.
Excellent
Dr Maroi was very thorough and accomplished in her area of expertise - glaucoma.
None that I can think of and always has been professional, courteous, and helpful in trying to give recommendations and running certain eye tests/exams when needed per my constant issues with severe dry eyes, but unfortunately nothing has really helped much per treatment wise.
My provider handled a tricky mix up with kindness and in a professional way.
All good. First visit s prior provider retired.
Efficient, thorough, thoughtful, patient and professional.
Good
Overall, I would say pertaining to certain questions in regards to alternative medications discussed and/or other possible medical procedures to look into for my constant dry eye symptoms, at times this provider could try to explain them a little better in simpler terms rather than the medical terminology talk in ophthalmic medicine that for me, can be kind of hard to take in for better understanding since I don't come from that background and for me raises more questions overall.
Extremely detailed and friendly. Listens carefully
Excellent care
Very attentive and responsive- highly recommend!!
She is excellent she seems to really care about my health
I had a good experience.
Very knowledgeable and professional
No problem
She is extremely excellent!
OMG Dr. Sayoko E. Moroi was superb!! She was so efficient and accurate in her assessment. I left the Havener Eye Institute thinking how terrific and knowledgeable she is as an Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon! She communicated clearly the plan with me and showed me the items needed on-line to treat my annoying eye condition. Lastly, absolutely deserving of the photo spotlight at the entrance of the Havener Eye Institute!
Knowledgeable, professional, thorough, patient, efficient, competent, caring
Highly competent, friendly, takes the time needed to examine, explain, discuss, demonstrate.
I've had several opthamologists that were not a great fit for me. Dr. Moroi is the best! She is excellent! Very passionate about her patients and on point documentation.
Dr Moroi is a kind, caring, compassionate and skilled ophthalmologist.
Good
Overall, Dr. Moroi has always been very professional, courteous and friendly towards pertaining to both running tests and offering suggestions to try and help combat my constant ongoing dry eye symptom issues I've dealt with for a very long time in my life.
She is excellent, knowledgeable and considerate.
The doctor was very knowledgeable about my condition (dry eye) and gave me a plan to address the issue.
She is always very friendly and she showed me charts that indicated the condition of both my eyes Is stable.
Professional
Very thorough
Good
Listened closely
Dr. Was excellent and kind to me.
I am extremely pleased with Dr. Moroi.
Very good
She is excellent! Extremely knowledgeable and I am grateful to have her care for me.
The best.
Very personable
Compassionate care provider
Great
The doctor uses her excellent skill, and expertise to care for my vision in a compassionate manner.
Very personable and professional
I made this appointment on a whim, because my regular eye doctor at another facility (which I also like) didn't seem to have any expertise in my combo of dry eye and glaucoma. Dr. Moroi really took the time to explain why things happen, what research doesn't know and started conservatively with things I could do that did not require medication for my dry eye (which is a chronic problem for me that affects my overall quality of life). I am two weeks in on her plan and feeling better and am greatly appreciative of her care and kindness. It is already making a difference in my day to day activities.
She needs to slow-down and listen more about my concerns.
She was incredible Introduced herself to me and my wifeSat and talked with us using a flip chart
No bad experience. Very professional. Very good experience.