About

David Myung is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Stanford University Medical Center and is affiliated with the Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) at Stanford University. His work focuses on the application of artificial intelligence and imaging technologies in the field of medicine, particularly ophthalmology. As a faculty member at Stanford, he contributes to advancing research in medical AI, leveraging innovative computational methods to improve diagnostic and treatment processes in healthcare.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Political Science
• Machine Learning
• Biophysics
• Chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physics
• Materials science
• Biochemistry
• Endocrinology
• Law
• Engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Pathology
• Mathematics
• Engineering ethics
• Embedded system
• Polymer chemistry

Selected publications

• Association between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome: A UK Biobank cohort study

  American Journal of Ophthalmology · 2026-04-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Data from: Refillable intraocular drug-eluting implant

  Open MIND · 2026-02-08

  datasetSenior author

  The increasing incidence of ophthalmic diseases has led to the need for multiple dosage regimens, which can cause patient discomfort and noncompliance due to the frequency of medication administration. Still, ophthalmic drug delivery methods, such as eye drops and intravitreal injection, pose challenges, such as poor bioavailability, short half-life, and patient compliance. In this study, we introduce a novel refillable intracapsular drug-eluting reservoir for the long-term management of ocular diseases. This device, made of medical-grade silicone and stainless steel, has features to contour the lens capsule to facilitate microincisional implantation. Rheological and mechanical analyses of the silicone revealed the optimized conditions for the device construction and its application compliance for ocular intracapsular implantation. Furthermore, in vitro release studies exhibit controlled drug release, the kinetics of which were consistent with Fickian diffusion, while ex vivo implantation testing shows that the device can be easily delivered and placed at the time of cataract surgery. Taken altogether, the developed implant holds significant potential for improving therapeutic outcomes while offering a practical surgical application and compliance of patients.

  DOI

• Biomechanical Modification of the Sclera: An Ex Vivo Study on Porcine Eyes

  Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2026-02-24

  articleOpen access

  Purpose: Scleral biomechanics are altered in various ocular pathologies. Modification of sclera biomechanics has been proposed as a potential treatment strategy. This study characterizes the biomechanical effect of collagenase (COL), glyceraldehyde (GAD), microbial transglutaminase (mTG), transglutaminase 1 (TG1), transglutaminase 2 (TG2), and lysyl oxidase (LOX) on ex vivo porcine sclera. Methods: Tissue biomechanics were assessed by uniaxial tensile testing. Tangent modulus (ET) was calculated from the stress-strain curve. The biomechanical response was analyzed based on dose-response curves. Locally applied treatments to the intraocular, extraocular, and combined intra- and extraocular scleral surface were compared with incubated tissue strips. Treatment safety was investigated on human adult retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE19) and mouse retinal ganglion cells. Results: GAD 0.1 M and mTG 1 U/mL led to a 10.53-fold (P = 0.0011) and 4.71-fold (P = 0.0210) increase in ET, respectively. COL 0.05 mg/mL decreased tissue stiffness by 2.33-fold (P < 0.0001). Incubation with TG1, TG2, and LOX did not lead to significant changes in tissue ET. The effect of strip incubation was significantly higher for GAD (P < 0.0001) and mTG (P < 0.01) compared with local applications, with no quantitative difference for COL. Viability assays showed a relatively safe application of mTG and COL on retinal ganglion cells and ARPE19, but increased cytotoxicity at higher GAD concentrations. Conclusions: COL, GAD, and mTG induced dose-responsive biomechanical changes in ex vivo scleral biomechanics with acceptable safety. Locally applied treatments showed reduced biomechanical impact compared with strip incubation. Further experiments need to confirm these findings in vivo and determine its role in diseased eyes.

  PublisherDOI

• High‐Purity Functional Corneal Endothelial Cells From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells via a Novel Wash‐Out Method

  MedComm · 2026-03-20

  articleOpen access

  Corneal endothelial failure can cause blindness, with transplantation as the only treatment. Due to donor shortages, establishing robust methods for generating corneal endothelial-like cells (CECs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is critical. Differentiation protocols included iPSC-to-CEC induction with or without neural crest cell differentiation. CECs directly differentiated from iPSCs demonstrated robust expression of CEC-specific markers and a hexagonal morphology. The wash-out protocol is a novel, efficient, noncytotoxic method for removing undifferentiated iPSCs and obtaining CEC populations with high purity. Single-cell sequencing data showed that iPSC-CECs with wash-out were similar to human primary CECs. In vivo transplantation of iPSC-CECs into a corneal endothelial dysfunction (CED) rabbit model demonstrated their safety and therapeutic efficacy, with improved corneal transparency. Notable recovery of corneal clarity in the CED model, without graft rejection, highlights the in vitro and in vivo potential of iPSC-CECs as a powerful source for clinical therapy in patients with CED. This work establishes an effective stem cell-based platform for producing corneal endothelium-like cells with clinical-grade quality, offering a scalable and regenerative alternative to conventional transplantation.

  PublisherDOI

• A CRISPR-Cas13d cancer therapeutic enables selective elimination of uveal melanoma

  Molecular Therapy Oncology · 2026-02-11

  articleOpen access

  via optimized lipid nanoparticles loaded with Cas13d mRNA and guide RNA, this strategy eliminated >97% of uveal melanoma cells while sparing healthy cells, including retinal pigment epithelial cells. This approach outperformed conventional Cas9 and siRNA methods in potency without inducing permanent genomic alterations. Our findings establish an RNA-targeting therapeutic for uveal melanoma and a framework for Cas13-based interventions against other "undruggable" cancers.

  PublisherDOI

• Long-Term Outcomes of Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus Across Pediatric, Adolescent, and Adult Populations in a Diverse U.S. Population

  Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery · 2026-03-03

  article

  PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcomes of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking (CXL) on keratoconus progression and visual function across pediatric, adolescent, and adult cohorts in a diverse U.S. population over a 5-year follow-up period. SETTING: A tertiary care ophthalmology center in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted between January 2017 and October 2025 of patients treated between January 2017 and May 2023. Inclusion criteria required a diagnosis of progressive keratoconus and ≥12 months of follow-up. METHODS: A total of 243 eyes from 193 patients were analyzed, including 80 eyes from pediatric patients (32.9%) under 18 years of age. All eyes underwent standard epithelium-off CXL for progressive keratoconus. Clinical parameters, including corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), maximum keratometry (Kmax), minimum central corneal thickness (CCTmin), and wavefront aberrations (RMS error), were recorded preoperatively and at 12-month postoperative intervals through 60 months. RESULTS: CXL was associated with significant and sustained visual and structural improvements. Mean CDVA improved significantly from baseline and remained improved through 60 months (p < 0.05). The greatest mean corneal flattening (Kmax) occurred within the first two years, with stability maintained through 48 months (p < 0.05). Postoperative CCTmin overall declined from preoperative baseline, demonstrating a trend of gradual re-thickening consistent with stromal remodeling after 24 months, while remaining below baseline (p < 0.05). Wavefront aberrations remained stable, and adverse events were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: CXL is associated with long-term safety and sustained improvements in visual and tomographic outcomes across pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients in a diverse U.S. cohort, supporting timely intervention in progressive keratoconus.

  PublisherDOI

• Implantable ocular therapeutic systems: an insight into their clinical potential in the long-term treatment of ocular diseases

  Biofabrication · 2026-02-24

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Despite the rapid pace of biomedical engineering research, translating developed products into clinical practice remains challenging due to regulations, manufacturing, and long-term in vivo safety. The eye offers advantageous features to lower translational hurdles, making it an ideal clinical target and an approachable testbed for biofabricated implants. However, eyes also have anatomical and physiological barriers that hinder conventional ophthalmic delivery routes, leading to poor drug bioavailability. Advances in biofabrication and biomaterials used in ophthalmic therapeutic implants have the potential to address the current challenges. This review will explore biomaterials, biofabrication methods, and possible ocular implantation sites from the perspective of developing effective therapeutic implants. It also examines clinically available products and current clinical trials, along with recent advancements and next-generation technologies in ophthalmic therapeutic delivery implants. This review aims to provide insights that facilitate the translation of emerging ocular therapeutics into clinically available treatments.

  PublisherDOI

• Design and Development of a Suprachoroidal Spacer Implant and Injector System for Glaucoma Treatment

  ACS Applied Bio Materials · 2026-01-29

  article

  Glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness worldwide, with level of intraocular pressure (IOP) as the only modifiable risk factor. There is a critical need for a safe, effective, and minimally invasive procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting without a dedicated operating room. Suprachoroidal expansion has been explored as a method to lower IOP, but existing approaches face challenges with long-term stability and procedural complexity. Here, we developed a monolithic, photo-cross-linked polyethylene glycol (PEG) suprachoroidal spacer implant, designed to remain in place long-term with minimal clearance or degradation, potentially enabling long-term IOP reduction. To facilitate safe and precise delivery, we also designed a custom microneedle injector system. The implant's composition, shape, and mechanics were optimized for suprachoroidal implantation. Ex vivo studies demonstrated precise control over implant location and volume within the suprachoroidal space, achieving an 89.5% successful delivery rate. In a pilot in vivo study using rabbits, the implantation procedure showed no signs of foreign body response, local toxicity, or adverse tissue reactions. Further preclinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term stability and potential for sustained IOP reduction.

  PublisherDOI

• Crystalline Lens Regeneration: A Review

  Current Ophthalmology Reports · 2026-01-19

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Purpose of Review Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Standard treatment, lentectomy with intraocular lens implantation, restores visual acuity but eliminates accommodation and carries risk of posterior capsular opacification. Regenerating a functional, autologous crystalline lens would afford patients preserved accommodation and reduce long-term complications. This review integrates lens anatomy and embryology, comparative regeneration models, single-cell atlases, stem-cell differentiation advances, emerging biomaterial and bioprinting strategies, and recent progress in minimally invasive capsule-preserving pediatric surgery to outline the current trajectory toward clinically viable lens regeneration. Recent Findings Single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed a hierarchical differentiation organization of several sub-populations in the human lens epithelium with a stem/progenitor-like cluster at the apex of a differentiation cascade. Transcriptomic analysis also indicates that aging downregulates adhesion-junction expression and upregulates mitochondrial pathways, contributing to cataract pathology. Transparent hydrogel and 3D-bioprinted scaffolds now support stem cell encapsulation and differentiation and lens epithelial cell survival and can achieve high optical transmission. In infants, minimally invasive lens-content removal surgery yields functional lens regeneration, and metabolic adjuncts including nicotinamide are being evaluated for use in improving clarity and accelerating regeneration. Summary Lens regeneration research has progressed from descriptive amphibian models to a mechanistic, single-cell resolution understanding with early clinical translation. A defined epithelial differentiation hierarchy, retained progenitor reservoir, reproducible capsule-preserving surgical techniques, and improving biomimetic scaffolds create a feasible pathway toward adult human lens regeneration. Key priorities for future work include reactivating dormant progenitor cell populations in adult capsules, optimizing scaffold architecture and physicochemical properties to suppress opacification, modulating FGF/BMP/Wnt signaling, and elucidating the role of resident immune cells. Addressing these priorities will be pivotal for advancing lens regeneration into a therapeutic reality.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Detection Rate of Diabetic Retinopathy Before and After Implementation of Autonomous AI-based Fundus Photograph Analysis in a Resource-Limited Area in Belize

  Clinical ophthalmology · 2025-03-01 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Purpose: To evaluate the use of an autonomous artificial intelligence (AI)-based device to screen for diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to evaluate the frequency of diabetes mellitus (DM) and DR in an under-resourced population served by the Stanford Belize Vision Clinic (SBVC). Patients and Methods: The records of all patients from 2017 to 2024 were collected and analyzed, dividing the study into two time periods: Pre-AI (before June 2022, prior to the implementation of the LumineticsCore ® device at SBVC) and Post-AI (from June 2022 to the present) and subdivided into post-COVID19 and pre-COVID19 periods. Patients were categorized based on self-reported past medical history (PMH) as DM positive (diagnosed DM) and DM negative (no PMH of DM). AI camera outcomes included: negative for more than mild DR (MTMDR), positive for MTMDR, and insufficient exam quality. Results: A total of 1897 patients with a mean age of 47.6 years were included. The gradability of encounters by the AI device was 89.1%. The frequency of DR detection increased significantly in the Post-AI period (55/639) compared to the Pre-AI period (38/1258), including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean age of DR diagnosis was significantly lower in the Post-AI period (44.1 years) compared to Pre-AI period (60.7 years) among DM negative patients. There was a significant association between having DR and hypertension. Additionally, the detection rate of DM increased in the Post-AI period compared to Pre-AI period. Conclusion: Autonomous AI-based screening significantly improves the detection of patients with DR in areas with limited healthcare resources by reducing dependence on on-field ophthalmologists. This innovative approach can be seamlessly integrated into primary care settings, with technicians capturing images quickly and efficiently within just a few minutes. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of autonomous AI in identifying patients with both DR and DM, as well as associated high-burden diseases such as hypertension, across various age ranges. Plain Language Summary: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) and a leading cause of blindness worldwide, ranking as the third leading cause of blindness in Belize. DR screening is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention. Belize, a healthcare resource-limited country in Central America, faces significant challenges in managing DR due to the reliance on ophthalmologists from other countries, which places a heavy burden on both patients and the healthcare system. Implementing fully autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) for DR screening is a significant step towards improving eye healthcare accessibility and enhancing DR detection. In our study, the deployment of an AI-based image analysis technologyin Ambergris Caye, Belize, which previously relied on volunteer ophthalmologists, significantly increased the rate of DR screening. This AI-driven approach not only improved the detection of DR but also identified previously undiagnosed cases of DM. The impact of this technology was particularly pronounced with the COVID-19 pandemic when travel restrictions impeded visiting volunteer physicians. This approach is a game-changer for resource-limited areas, dramatically enhancing eye care access and advancing health equity. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, artificial intelligence, deep learning, COVID-19 pandemic, underserved area, health equity

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Corneal Reconstruction through an In Situ-Forming Collagen Gel

  NIH · 2019–2021

• In Situ Bioconjugation as a Therapeutic Delivery Modality to Enhance Ocular Wound Healing

  NIH · $1.1M · 2017–2022

• Corneal Scar Repair through SPAACKL: Sutureless, Pro-regenerative Anterior Additive Collagen gel KeratopLasty

  NIH · $2.5M · 2022–2026

Frequent coauthors

• Gabriella Maria Fernandes-Cunha

  106 shared

• Hyun Jong Lee

  Gachon University

  90 shared

• Fang Chen

  Jiangxi Academy of Environmental Sciences

  88 shared

• Peter Le

  Stanford University

  68 shared

• Kyung‐Sun Na

  Catholic University of Korea

  61 shared

• Caitlin M. Logan

  Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute

  30 shared

• David C Mundy

  Stanford University

  30 shared

• Sarah C. Heilshorn

  30 shared