Barbara M. Wirostko
Rating: 5.0 of 5
( out of 107 reviews )

Barbara M. Wirostko, MD

Languages spoken: English

  • Barbara M. Wirostko, MD, FARVO, specializes in clinical research and advises drug development for glaucoma pharmaceutical therapies. She has specialized fellowship training in glaucoma, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, and is a Fellow of The Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

    Her research interests include novel glaucoma therapeutics, sustained delivery of therapeutics for ocular pathologies, and better understanding the genetics and associated systemic diseases of exfoliative syndrome, a common cause of open-angle glaucoma. As a serial entrepreneur for biotech startups, she has received millions in grants as the principal investigator (PI) for funding from the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation.

    Dr. Wirostko's honors include Moran’s Clinical Faculty of the Year Award in 2015 and the Third Annual Distinguished Alumni Award from the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University.

    Her professional and scientific experience includes serving as associate editor for Ophthalmology Glaucoma, Acta Ophthalmologica, and Journal of Glaucoma. She’s an active committee member for ARVO and a scientific advisor for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, The Glaucoma Foundation, and the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

    Dr. Wirostko’s numerous grants include a new two-year project funded by a BrightFocus Foundation National Glaucoma Research award of nearly $180,000. The research project, “Prognostic Factors and Predictive Markers of Progression to Exfoliation Glaucoma in Exfoliation Syndrome,” will include a multi-disciplinary team of experts. She will serve as co-PI with Karen Curtin, PhD, MStat, with the Utah Population Database.

    Board Certification

    American Board of Ophthalmology

    Patient Rating

    Rating: 5.0 out of 5
    5.0 /5
    ( out of 107 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Wirostko is very attentive and thorough.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Wirotsko is brilliant, kind, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. I count myself lucky to be in her care.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great visit!

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Wirostko is beyond amazing. She has gone the extra mile AND BEYOND treating me personally AND facilitating my care with other doctors (Dr. Ahmed and Dr. Chaya.)She is, in my opinion, simply an amazing professional, a loving and kind person!

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Our veterans deserve the best care and they will get it with Dr. Wirostko

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr. Wirostko is the best of the best.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    Dr Wirostko is knowledgeable, attentive, and cares about her patients.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    She is the best.

    REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER
    Rating: 5 out of 5

    excellent

  • Barbara M. Wirostko, MD, FARVO, specializes in clinical research and advises drug development for glaucoma pharmaceutical therapies. She has specialized fellowship training in glaucoma, is a board-certified ophthalmologist, and is a Fellow of The Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

    Her research interests include novel glaucoma therapeutics, sustained delivery of therapeutics for ocular pathologies, and better understanding the genetics and associated systemic diseases of exfoliative syndrome, a common cause of open-angle glaucoma. As a serial entrepreneur for biotech startups, she has received millions in grants as the principal investigator (PI) for funding from the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation.

    Dr. Wirostko's honors include Moran’s Clinical Faculty of the Year Award in 2015 and the Third Annual Distinguished Alumni Award from the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University.

    Her professional and scientific experience includes serving as associate editor for Ophthalmology Glaucoma, Acta Ophthalmologica, and Journal of Glaucoma. She’s an active committee member for ARVO and a scientific advisor for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, The Glaucoma Foundation, and the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

    Dr. Wirostko’s numerous grants include a new two-year project funded by a BrightFocus Foundation National Glaucoma Research award of nearly $180,000. The research project, “Prognostic Factors and Predictive Markers of Progression to Exfoliation Glaucoma in Exfoliation Syndrome,” will include a multi-disciplinary team of experts. She will serve as co-PI with Karen Curtin, PhD, MStat, with the Utah Population Database.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences -Adjunct Professor
    Board Certification
    American Board of Ophthalmology

    Education history

    Undergraduate Microbiology - Cornell University B.A.
    Professional Medical Medicine - Columbia University M.D.
    Internship Hackensack Medical Center Intern
    Residency Ophthalmology - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute Resident
    Fellowship Glaucoma - The New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center Fellow

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Sharma A, Riaz KM, Gill MS, Patnaik A, Ulahannan SV, Wang JS, Gombos DS, Ang Q, Cicic D, Bergonio GR, Zhang C, Wirostko B (2022). Reversible HER2 antibody-drug conjugate-induced ocular toxicity. Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie, 57(2), 118-126. (Read full publication)
    2. Durrie DS, Wolsey D, Thompson V, Assang C, Mann B, Wirostko (2018). Ability of a new crosslinked polymer ocular bandage gel to accelerate reepithelialization after photorefractive keratectomy. Journal of cataract and refractive surgery, 44(3), 369-375. (Read full publication)
    3. Perez VL, Wirostko B, Korenfeld M, From S, Raizman (2020). Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Using Iontophoresis: Recent Clinical Applications. Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics, 36(2), 75-87. (Read full publication)
    4. Wirostko B, Mann B, Stirland (2020). Re: "Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid as Tear Film Substitute" by Posarelli et al. ( J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2019;35(7):381-387) . Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics, 36(4), 205.
    5. Wirostko B, Allingham R, Wong J, Curtin (2018). Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome (UPEXS): Insight Into Systemic Diseases Associated With Exfoliation Syndrome. Journal of glaucoma, 27 Suppl 1, S75-S77. (Read full publication)
    6. Kang JH, VoPham T, Laden F, Rosner BA, Wirostko B, Ritch R, Wiggs JL, Qureshi A, Nan H, Pasquale L (2020). Cohort Study of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer and the Risk of Exfoliation Glaucoma. Journal of glaucoma, 29(6), 448-455. (Read full publication)
    7. Levin AM, Chaya CJ, Kahook MY, Wirostko B (2021). Intraocular Pressure Elevation Following Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections: Short and Long-term Considerations. Journal of glaucoma, 30(12), 1019-1026.
    8. Wirostko BM, Curtin K, Taylor SC, Paulson C, Pompoco C, Besch BM, Ranjan R, Ritch R (2022). Risk of atrial fibrillation is increased in patients with exfoliation syndrome: the Utah project on exfoliation syndrome (UPEXS) . Acta ophthalmologica, 100(4),
    9. Besch BM, Curtin K, Ritch R, Allingham RR, Wirostko B (2018). Association of Exfoliation Syndrome With Risk of Indirect Inguinal Hernia: The Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome. JAMA ophthalmology, 136(12), 1368-1374. (Read full publication)
    10. Taylor SC, Bernhisel AA, Curtin K, Allingham RR, Ritch R, Wirostko B (2019). Association between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Exfoliation Syndrome: The Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 2(1), 3-10. (Read full publication)
    11. Stagg BC, Stein JD, Medeiros FA, Wirostko B, Crandall A, Hartnett ME, Cummins M, Morris A, Hess R, Kawamoto (2021). Special Commentary: Using Clinical Decision Support Systems to Bring Predictive Models to the Glaucoma Clinic. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 4(1), 5-9. (Read full publication)
    12. Stagg BC, Stein JD, Medeiros FA, Wirostko B, Crandall A, Hartnett ME, Cummings M, Morris A, Hess R, Kawamoto (2020). Special Commentary: Using Clinical Decision Support Systems to Bring Predictive Models to the Glaucoma Clinic. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 4(1), 5-9.
    13. Levin AM, Vezina D, Wirostko B (2021). Home-Based Intraocular Pressure Measurements: Tracing a Parallel with Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Measurement. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 4(3), 235-237.
    14. Pompoco CJ, Curtin K, Taylor S, Paulson C, Shumway C, Conley M, Barker DJ, Swiston C, Stagg B, Ritch R, Wirostko B (2021). Summary of Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome (XPEXS): Using a large database to identify systemic comorbidities . BMJ open ophthalmology, 6(1), e000803.
    15. Pervan-Steel CL, Chowdhury UR, Sookdeo HK, Casale RA, Dosa PI, Htoo TM, Fautsch MP, Wirostko B (2022). Ocular Hypotensive Properties and Biochemical Profile of QLS-101, a Novel ATP-Sensitive Potassium (KATP) Channel Opening Prodrug. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 63(4), 26.
    16. Paulson C, Thomas SC, Gonzalez O, Taylor S, Swiston C, Herrick JS, McCoy L, Curtin K, Chaya CJ, Stagg BC, Wirostko B (2022). Exfoliation Syndrome in Baja Verapaz Guatemala: A Cross-Sectional Study and Review of the Literature. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(7), (Read full publication)
    17. Huang JJ, Geduldig JE, Jacobs EB, Tai TT, Ahmad S, Chadha N, Buxton DF, Vinod K, Wirostko BM, Kang JH, Wiggs JL, Ritch R, Pasquale L (2022). Head and Neck Region Dermatological Ultraviolet-Related Cancers are Associated with Exfoliation Syndrome in a Clinic-Based Population . Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 5(6), 663-671.
    18. Patil A, Swiston C, Wallace RT, Paulson C, Conley ME, McCoy L, Chaya C, Wirostko (2022). Exfoliation Syndrome and Exfoliation Glaucoma in the Navajo Nation. An ARVO publication. ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract Search and Program Planner, 63(7), 1641.
    19. Guidoboni G, Nunez R, Keller J, Wikle C, Robinson EL, Verticchio A, Siesky B, Oddone F, Quaranta L, Wirostko B, Topouzis F, Cheng C-Y, Januleviciene I, Wegner A, Antman G, Jones C, Harris (2022). Precision medicine and glaucoma management: how mathematical modeling and artificail intelligence help in clinical practice. Online Journal. Expert review of ophthalmology, 17(5),
    20. Patil A, Conley M, Paulson C, Pompoco C, Wallace R, Swiston RR, Curtin K, Wirostko (2022). Abdominal aortic aneurysm and exfoliation syndrome: A literature review comparing single site findings . Acta ophthalmologica, 101(5), 478-484.
    21. Paulson C, Barker DJ, Pompoco C, Taylor S, Conley M, Patil A, Amakiri N, Stagg B, Ritch R, Kang JH, Wiggs JL, Curtin K, Wirostko (2022). Association of Non-Melanoma Skin Carcinomas and UV Exposure with Exfoliation Syndrome in Utah. Medical research archives, 10(10),
    22. Patil A, Conley M, Pompoco C, Paulson C, Taylor S, Swiston C, Herrick JS, Ritch R, Curtin K, Wirostko (2023). Abdominal aortic aneurysm and exfoliation syndrome in Utah. Acta ophthalmologica, 101(4), 449-456. (Read full publication)
    23. Roy Chowdhury U, Pervan-Steel CL, Sheeler R, Sookdeo HK, Rogers B, Casale R, Dosa PI, Htoo T, Wirostko BM, Fautsch M (2023). Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Profile of Topical Ophthalmic and Intravenous Delivery of QLS-101, a Novel ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opening Ocular Hypotensive Agent. Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics, 39(5), 332-346. (Read full publication)
    24. Levin AM, McGlumphy EJ, Chaya CJ, Wirostko BM, Johnson T (2022). The utility of home tonometry for peri-interventional decision-making in glaucoma surgery: Case series. American journal of ophthalmology case reports, 28, 101689. (Read full publication)
    25. Delsoz M, Raja H, Madadi Y, Tang AA, Wirostko BM, Kahook MY, Yousefi (2023). The Use of ChatGPT to Assist in Diagnosing Glaucoma Based on Clinical Case Reports. Ophthalmology and therapy, (Read full publication)
    26. Polski A, Liu KC, Gupta D, Grewal DS, Horns J, Wirostko BM, Stagg B (2023). Incident glaucoma and ocular hypertension after periocular and intravitreal steroid injections: a claims-based analysis. BMJ open ophthalmology, 8(1), (Read full publication)
    27. Polski A, Long T, Stagg BC, Wirostko (2024). Uveitis-Glaucoma-Hyphema Syndrome from Subtle Malposition of a Hydrus Microstent. Journal of glaucoma, 33(11), e92-e96. (Read full publication)
    28. Polski A, Long T, Stagg BC, Wirostko (2024). Uveitis-Glaucoma-Hyphema Syndrome from Subtle Malposition of a Hydrus Microstent. Journal of glaucoma, 33(11), e92-e96. (Read full publication)
    29. Riina N, Harris A, Siesky BA, Ritzer L, Pasquale LR, Tsai JC, Keller J, Wirostko B, Arciero J, Fry B, Eckert G, Verticchio Vercellin A, Antman G, Sidoti PA, Guidoboni (2024). Using Multi-Layer Perceptron Driven Diagnosis to Compare Biomarkers for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 65(11), 16. (Read full publication)
    30. Curtin K, Stein JD, Stagg BC, Fino N, Conley M, Johnson T, Patil A, Paulson C, Pompoco C, Wirostko B (2024). Identifiable historic and observable factors may predict progression to exfoliation glaucoma in newly-diagnosed exfoliation patients. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, (Read full publication)
    31. Pompoco C, Paulson C, Fino N, Taylor S, Patil A, Conley M, Barker J, Ritch R, Hageman GS, Curtin K, Wirostko (2024). Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Patients with Exfoliation Syndrome: The Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome (UPEXS) . Journal of Clinical & Translational Ophthalmology, 2(4), 140-154.
    32. Chauhan MZ, Elhusseiny AM, Marwah S, Sallam AB, Stein JD, Kishor KS, SOURCE Consortium, Amin S, Edwards PA, Srikumaran D, Woreta F, Schultz JS, Shrivastava A, Ahmad B, Pasquale L, Bryar PJ, French DD, Hribar M, Thomas M, Vanderbeek BL, Pershing S, Wang SY, Deiner M, Sun C, Patnaik J, Subramanian P, Munir S, Munir W, Stein JD, De Lott L, Ramachandran R, Feldman R, Stagg BC, Wirostko B, McMillian B, Sheybani A, Sarrapour S, Harris-Nwanyanwu (2024). Incidence of Uveitis Following Initiation of Prostaglandin Analogs Versus Other Glaucoma Medications: A Study from the SOURCE Repository. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, (Read full publication)
    33. Sit A, Arash K, Chowdhury UR, Fautsch, Htoo T, Wirostko BM, Hodg (2025). Relationship Between Diurnal Variations of Episcleral Venous Pressure and Intraocular Pressure . Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 66(11), 44.
    34. Wirostko, B Comparison of Natural History of RPGR-linked and RP2-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa . Ophthalmology. Retina,
    35. Levin AV, Abbas K, Harrison B, Chang TCP, Edmunds B, Hammond B, Lueder GT, Nischal KK, Mills MD, Walton DS, Blirden LS, Freedman SF, Plager DA, Wirostko BM (2025). Glaucoma Management in Sturge-Weber Syndrome Using the Delphine Process. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 29(4),
    36. Belamkar AV, Harris A, Wirostko BM, Rowe L, Oddone F, Carnevale C, Vercellin AV, Kanwar K, Wood K, Fabczak-Kubicka A, Siesky (2025). Medical and Surgical treatment management in open angle glaucoma patients of Asian descent: A narrative review . European journal of ophthalmology, Online,
    37. Packard B, Warner J, Vegunta S, Chortkoff S, Wirostko BM, Johnson C, Meghan S, Renschler A, Ofori-Atta B iCare HOME2 Monitoring of Diurnal Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Patients with Non-Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy . Journal of neuro-ophthalmology,
    38. Steel CL, Wirostko B (2026). Bench to bedside: Bridging the gap. Indian journal of ophthalmology, 74(2), 166-168. (Read full publication)

    Review

    1. Asrani SG, McGlumphy EJ, Al-Aswad LA, Chaya CJ, Lin S, Musch DC, Pitha I, Robin AL, Wirostko B, Johnson T (2024). The relationship between intraocular pressure and glaucoma: An evolving concept. Progress in retinal and eye research, 103, 101303. (Read full publication)

    Editorial

    1. Mai AP, Wirostko B, Fitch S, Hansen K, Imbrescia W, Stagg B (2023). Using Technology to Address Ophthalmic Technician Shortages in Glaucoma Clinics. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 6(6), 567-569. (Read full publication)
    2. Johnson C, Pasquale LR, Wirostko (2024). Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: A Role in Glaucoma?. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 7(5), 419-421. (Read full publication)
    3. Mai AP, Wirostko B, Fitch S, Hansen K, Imbrescia W, Stagg B (2023). Using Technology to Address Ophthalmic Technician Shortages in Glaucoma Clinics. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 6(6), 567-569. (Read full publication)
    4. Johnson C, Pasquale LR, Wirostko (2024). Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: A Role in Glaucoma?. Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 7(5), 419-421. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Wirostko B, Mann B, Stirland (2020). Re: "Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid as Tear Film Substitute" by Posarelli et al. (J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2019;35(7):381-387). Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics, 36(4), 205. (Read full publication)
    2. Delsoz M, Raja H, Madadi Y, Tang AA, Wirostko BM, Kahook MY, Yousefi (2024). A Response to: Letter to the Editor Regarding "The Use of ChatGPT to Assist in Diagnosing Glaucoma Based on Clinical Case Reports.". Ophthalmology and therapy, (Read full publication)

    Abstract

    1. Amakiri N, Branham K, Jayasundera TK, Andrews, Chris A, Milentijevic D, Narayanan D, Johnson T, Jensen J, Wirostko BM, Stein J (2023). Leveraging the Sight Outcomes Research Collaborative (SOURCE) Repository to Identify Patients with RPGR-Related Retinitis Pigmentosa . 64(8), 4664.
    2. Chang M, Harris A, Zaid M, Sala L, Szopos M, Lapin S, Kuvin J, Ciulla TA, Pasquale LR, Wirostko BM, Verticchio V, Alice C, Antman G, Siesky BA, Guidoboni G (2023). The Impact of reduced left ventricular contractility on retinal perfusion, ARVO 2023. 64(8), 1997.
    3. Kellner, R, Harris A, Rosen RB, Wirostko BM, Siesky BA, Verticchio V, Alice C, Coleman-Beli JC, Tessone I, Chang M, Fabczak-Kubicka A, Antman (2023). Non-glaucomatous persons with diabetes have reduced macular capillary density potentially elevating the risk for glaucoma. 64(8), 4721.
    4. Kazemi A, Wirostko B, Fautsch M, Htoo T, Sit A (2023). Diurnal Variations in Episcleral Venous Pressure . 64(8), 3473.
    5. Johnson T, Wirostko B, Stein J, Stagg B, Amakiri N, Jensen (2023). Understanding the Disease Course of RPGR-Linked vs. RP2-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa, ARVO 2023. 64(8), 4667.
    6. Chowdhury UR, Brandano LA, Casale RA, DeWalt DJ, Rykard LR, Fautsch MP, Htoo TH, Wirostko B (2025). Safety, tolerability and ocular hypotensive properties of QLS-111, a novel formation of an ATP sensitive potassium channel opener, alone or in combination with approved ocular hypotensive drugs . 66(8), 2720.
    7. Sharma M, Jensen M, Sanchez G, Packard B, Reschler A, Ofori-Atta B, Chorkoff S, Vegunta S, Warner J, Wirostko B (2025). Early Morning Ocular Perfusion Pressure in Non-Arthritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy . 66(8), 3214.

    Other

    1. (2023). Glaucoma Under Pressure, The Ophthalmologist July/August 2023.

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