Kristen Harris Nwanyanwu, MD, MBA, MHS
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About
Titles
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Associate Director of Community Engaged Research and Participant Recruitment, Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI)
Biography
Dr. Kristen Nwanyanwu graduated with highest honors from the University of Michigan. Her degrees in African-American Studies and Biochemistry became the foundation for her career as a health disparities researcher. At the University of Pennsylvania, she earned her medical degree and MBA from the Wharton School. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a practicing vitreoretinal surgeon. She completed residency at the University of Michigan and vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After joining the Yale faculty, she was selected for the YCCI Junior Faculty Scholars Program through which she completed her Master of Health Science. She is currently the PI for the NIH-funded Sight-Saving Engagement and Evaluation in New Haven (SEEN) Program, a multi-method approach to identifying and addressing health disparities in diabetic retinopathy. She has lectured nationally on health disparities, access to care, and the surgical management of diabetic retinopathy.
Appointments
Ophthalmology
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryBiomedical Informatics & Data Science
Associate Professor on TermSecondarySchool of Management
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- All Institutions
- Biomedical Informatics & Data Science
- Diabetes Research Center
- Diabetic Eye Care
- Janeway Society
- Macular Degeneration
- MORE
- Ophthalmology
- Retina & Vitreous
- School of Management
- Vitreoretinal Fellowship Faculty
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Medicine
- Yale New Haven Health System
Education & Training
- MHS
- Yale University, Health Science (2020)
- Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship
- Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago (2015)
- Ophthalmology Residency
- Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan (2013)
- Transitional Internship
- Albert Einstein Medical Center (2010)
- MD
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (2009)
- MBA
- The Wharton School (2009)
- Wharton Fellowship
- University of Pennsylvania (2009)
- BS (Hon)
- University of Michigan, Biochemistry and African-American Studies (2004)
Advanced Training & Certifications
- American Board of Ophthalmology
- American Board of Ophthalmology
Research
Publications
2026
Who Gets Panretinal Photocoagulation? National Patterns in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Applebaum SS, Fu J, Bakhoum M, Deng Y, Nwanyanwu KH. Who Gets Panretinal Photocoagulation? National Patterns in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment. Ophthalmology Science 2026, 101181. DOI: 10.1016/j.xops.2026.101181.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInterrogating a framework for diabetic retinopathy screening adherence: qualitative interviews of a severe disease and unengaged population
Fu J, Andoh J, Fairless E, Weiss J, Norcott A, Harris Nwanyanwu K. Interrogating a framework for diabetic retinopathy screening adherence: qualitative interviews of a severe disease and unengaged population. Submitted for publication. PLOS ONE. 2025.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In PressOcular Symptoms in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study
Kaleem S, Sawano M, Arun A, Warner F, Zhou T, Huang C, Bhattacharjee B, Lu Y, Iwasaki A, Nwanyanwu K, Ahmed I, Krumholz H. Ocular Symptoms in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clinical Ophthalmology 2026, Volume 20 DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S565596.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOcular Symptoms in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study
Kaleem S, Sawano M, Arun A, Warner F, Zhou T, Huang C, Bhattacharjee B, Lu Y, Iwasaki A, Nwanyanwu K, Ahmed I, Krumholz H. Ocular Symptoms in Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study. Clinical Ophthalmology 2026, 20: 565596. PMID: 41907807, PMCID: PMC13024366, DOI: 10.2147/opth.s565596.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOcular symptomsHealth conditionsPre-pandemic health conditionsPoor health statusInterquartile rangeCross-sectional studyCross-sectional analysisBonferroni-adjusted p-valueHealth profileHealth scoresLoss of visionHealth statusHigher RatesHousing stabilitySocioeconomic characteristicsMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndromeDry eyeFinancial difficultiesFatigue syndromeCategorical variablesCOVID-19 infectionSocioeconomic challengesCOVID symptomsSevere phenotypeParticipantsImpact of United States federal funding on equity and vision research: lessons from history, justice, and politics, 1968–2025
Andoh J, Fu J, Nwanyanwu K. Impact of United States federal funding on equity and vision research: lessons from history, justice, and politics, 1968–2025. Current Opinion In Ophthalmology 2026, 37: 162-167. PMID: 41765774, DOI: 10.1097/icu.0000000000001212.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFederal policyImpact of federal policiesBehavioral determinantsBehavioural determinants of healthDeterminants of healthNational Institutes of Health Revitalization ActUnited StatesPolitical landscapePolitical environmentNational conversationStructural disparitiesVision healthFederal fundingFederal prioritiesPolicyEpidemiological studiesNarrative reviewDiverse participantsEquityExecution orderRevitalization ActCOVID-19 pandemicHealthEvolution of equityPoliticsDeveloping a manual for social needs-based patient navigation in diabetic retinopathy: a qualitative approach
Granados A, Martinez J, Frimpong A, Applebaum S, Sanchez J, Kelley L, Ager M, Nwanyanwu KH. Developing a manual for social needs–based patient navigation in diabetic retinopathy: a qualitative approach. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. In press. To be presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In PressLanguage preference and diabetic retinopathy severity among Asian patients
Prince R, Fu J, Applebaum S, Martinez J, Granados A, Nwanyanwu KH. Language preference and diabetic retinopathy severity among Asian patients. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. In press. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In PressGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and diabetic retinopathy: a cross-sectional analysis in the All of Us Research Program
Fu J, Applebaum S, Martinez J, Granados A, Nwanyanwu KH. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and diabetic retinopathy: a cross-sectional analysis in the All of Us Research Program. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. In press. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In PressComparing experiences of diabetic retinopathy patients who received panretinal photocoagulation versus anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: a qualitative approach
Salahuddin A, Granados A, Fu J, Applebaum S, Moore S, Nwanyanwu KH. Comparing experiences of diabetic retinopathy patients who received panretinal photocoagulation versus anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: a qualitative approach. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. In press. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In PressFormative research for the implementation of an eye care intervention at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Michigan
Nwanyanwu KH, Newman-Casey PA, Nguyen T, Martinez J, Granados A, Fu J. Formative research for the implementation of an eye care intervention at a Federally Qualified Health Center in Michigan. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. In press. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026.Peer-Reviewed Original Research In Press
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Sight-saving Engagement and Evaluation in New Haven (SEEN) Program
IRB ID2000031731RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2022Recruiting Participants
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Kristen Nwanyanwu, MD, is an ophthalmologist who specializes in vitreoretinal surgery, which treats the vitreous, or gel-like substance that helps the eye maintain its round shape. She often treats patients with eye problems related to trauma, diabetes and age-related macular degeneration.
“Eye surgery is very delicate surgery,” Dr. Nwanyanwu says. “I often describe the surgeries I do as separating tissue paper underwater with tweezers, so people can get an idea of how fine my movements need to be. We take instruments that are the size of needles—and lasers, and other things—and use them to manipulate the tissue.”
Dr. Nwanyanwu knew she wanted to be a doctor as a child. As a teenager, she helped her brother manage his care after he developed a brain tumor. In medical school, she saw the many ways eye problems can impact a patient’s life. “It could be something as small as, ‘When I'm reading, I miss a few letters,’" she says, explaining that this is a symptom of a macular hole that actually does take a small piece out of the central vision. “Or it could be something as large as, “’I used to be able to see, then two days ago I saw flashing lights and now I don't see anything.’" The latter can be retinal detachment, meaning the lining or film in the retina that has come down like wallpaper and is no longer sending visual information to the brain. Dr. Nwanyanwu now performs surgery for both of these conditions.
An assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual science at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Nwanyanwu enjoys working the Yale Eye Center because she has quick access to colleagues who often provide valuable input for her cases. “And there is a warmth here,” she says. “We all work together very well. I know the glaucoma specialists, the ocular oncologists, the uveitis specialist, the cornea team. When I’m talking to a patient about what's happening with their eye, I might go out into the hall and see four different kinds of eye doctors. We also meet regularly to talk about our complex cases. I think that is the best way to do things, and it leads to high quality care.”
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Macular Degeneration
Learn More on Yale MedicineRetinal Detachment
Learn More on Yale MedicineOrbital Tumors
Learn More on Yale MedicineType 2 Diabetes: Symptoms and Treatments
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Ophthalmology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Ophthalmology
- Latest Certification Date
- 2025
- Original Certification Date
- 2014
Yale Medicine News
News & Links
News
- November 17, 2025Source: WTNH-TV Online
November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month
- May 07, 2024
Congratulations to Dr. Kristen Nwanyanwu: Recipient of the William R. Orthwein, Jr. '38 Yale Scholar Award!
- August 29, 2023
The Task Force and Sub-Task Forces on Disparities in Eye Care Recognized for its Extraordinary Work in Health Disparities, Deep Contributions by Dr. Kristen Nwanyanwu
- January 03, 2023
Dr. Kristen Nwanyanwu’s Project Submission to the YCCI Community Engaged Research Pilot Program Entitled “Development of a Community Responsive Digital Health Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening” - Selected for Funding
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