Serena Xiaohong Wang, MD $$

Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Languages Spoken:
English

Locations

UT Southwestern Pediatric Group

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Biography

Dr. Serena Wang has always been fascinated by the eyes, even as a young child. Growing up near a factory that employed blind workers, she always wondered why they couldn’t see and imagined what life must be like without sight.

“I decided to specialize in eyes after graduating from medical school,” says Dr. Wang. “Obviously, the eye is one of the most important sensory organs. Especially in children, whose visual systems are still developing, it is critical to promptly diagnose and treat certain eye diseases, such as congenital cataracts, to preserve visual function. When treating children with visually impairing eye diseases, ophthalmologists also need to consider long-term plans for their visual rehabilitation.”

Dr. Wang joined the team at Children’s Health℠ in 2006. She is also an associate professor of ophthalmology at the UT Southwestern Medical Center. She earned her medical degree at Kunming Medical College in China and completed her internship in anesthesia and residency in ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical School. She also completed fellowships in ophthalmology research, glaucoma research, cornea and external disease, and pediatric ophthalmology.

I decided to specialize in eyes after graduating from medical school.
Dr. Serena Wang

Dr. Wang specializes in pediatric eye disease treatment and surgery, with a special interest in pediatric cataract and strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes. On any given day, Dr. Wang might perform cataract surgery for an infant or eye muscle surgery for a patient with strabismus; treat a post-operative cataract patient with a special contact lens; treat a toddler with amblyopia (lazy eye) with patching; or examine a child with arthritis to ensure that no inflammation exists inside the eye.

She is also engaged in pediatric cataract surgery clinical research and supervises pediatric ophthalmology clinical research by residents and fellows. She says there are many challenges facing the pediatric ophthalmology field, such as the need to better understand and treat amblyopia.

Dr. Wang treats children of every age, from birth through age 18, as well as adults who need surgery for strabismus. She says her patients inspire her every day.

“From a 1-year-old child starting to walk the day after strabismus surgery, to an 8-year-old child with perfect 20/20 vision after cataract surgery, to a child with developmental delays making his first eye contact with mom after exotropia surgery, it is absolutely amazing to see,” says Dr. Wang.

Outside of her practice, Dr. Wang enjoys working out, going to the movies, and spending time with her son. She  travels extensively and has visited many countries spanning five continents.

Education and Training

Medical School
Kunming Medical College (1985)
Internship
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Ctr GME (2000), Anesthesiology
Residency
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Ctr GME (2003), Ophthalmology
Fellowship
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Ctr GME (2004), Pediatric Ophthalmology
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Ctr GME (1999), Cornea
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology

Departments and Programs

  • Research Interests

    • Pediatric Cataract Surgery Outcomes
  • Publications

    • Issaho DC, Wang SX, Weakley DR Jr. Intermittent exotropia surgery: results in different age groups. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2017 NovDec;80(6):355-358. doi: 10.5935/0004-2749.20170087
    • Repka MX, Dean TW, Lazar EL, Yen KG, Lenhart PD, Freedman SF, Hug D, Rahmani B, Wang SX, Kraker RT, Wallace DK; Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. Cataract Surgery in Children from Birth to Less than 13 Years of Age: Baseline Characteristics of the Cohort. Ophthalmology. 2016 Dec;123(12):2462-2473. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.09.003. Epub 2016 Oct 18
    • Issaho DC, Wang SX, de Freitas D, Weakley DR Jr. Variability in Response to Bilateral Medial Rectus Recessions in Infantile Esotropia. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016 Sep 1;53(5):305-10. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20160629-02. Epub 2016 Aug 4.
    • Zhang H, Wang X., Childhood Cataract Published by Tianjin Technology and Translation Publication, Inc. 2015
  • Professional Activities

    • American Academy of Ophthalmology
    • American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    • Dallas Academy of Ophthalmology
    • The Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
    • Texas Medical Association
  • Awards and Honors

    • D Magazine Best Pediatric Specialist, (2015-2016, 2018-2021)
    • Friendship Golden Award 2017, Distinguished Contribution to Promoting International Exchange and Collaboration on Chinese Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    • Honor Point 2014, AAPOS Board of Directors, For extensive work in translating and revising the Terms and Conditions into Chinese on AAPOS website
    • ARVO Travel Award 2001
    • Best Paper of Session Award at the Congress of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Boston 1994, "Comparison of mechanized and manual curvilinear capsulectomy in pediatric eyes."
    • HELMA Award 1994, Storm Eye Institute, Best Research Project: "Size of the pediatric capsular bag and its implications for IOL implantation."
    • Research Grant 1992, Foundation for Research in Medicine and Technology Yunnan State Department of Science and Technology
    • Annual Student Award Scholarship 1985, Kunming Medical College, Department of Medicine

Where I Provide Care: