SUMMARY
Mayo Clinic researcher John J. Chen, M.D., Ph.D., specializes in neuro-ophthalmology. He focuses on optic neuritis associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis, as well as idiopathic intracranial hypertension and ischemic optic neuropathy. He also studies applications of optical coherence tomography and neuroimmunology in these conditions. Dr. Chen conducts both clinical and translational research on the pathogenesis and treatment of neuro-ophthalmic diseases. He serves as co-lead investigator of the TIMELY-PLEX trial, a multicenter clinical trial funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute that evaluates plasma exchange for acute optic neuritis across more than 30 sites in the United States.
Focus areas
- Optic neuritis. Dr. Chen evaluates the epidemiology and clinical and radiological features of optic neuritis and related disorders, including NMOSD and MOGAD. As a member of the Mayo Clinic MOGAD Clinic, he collaborates with colleagues in neuroimmunology to characterize the clinical features associated with glial antibodies, including AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG, as well as newly identified autoantibodies affecting the optic nerve.
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Dr. Chen investigates emerging tools to detect raised intracranial pressure, including magnetic resonance elastography. He has published extensively on outcomes of venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. He also collaborates with NASA to better understand why astronauts develop papilledema.
- Imaging. Dr. Chen is an internationally recognized expert in optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography of the optic nerve. He explores optical coherence tomography, hyperspectral imaging and other retinal imaging modalities as techniques for identifying biomarkers for optic neuritis. This includes MOGAD, NMOSD, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Chen's research informs the care of patients with MOGAD, NMOSD and optic neuritis, conditions that are frequently misdiagnosed and for which timely treatment can help preserve vision. His work has helped establish optical coherence tomography as a way to find biomarkers of optic nerve injury, to track how a disease changes over time and to guide treatment decisions for individual patients. Through clinical trials, including the TIMELY-PLEX trial, he is helping identify more effective treatments for patients with optic neuritis.
Professional highlights
- American Ophthalmology Society:
- Member, 2023-present.
- Senior Achievement Award, 2025.
- Real World Ophthalmology Inspiring Academic Leader Award, 2024.
- Achievement Award, 2017.
- Best Original Paper Presentation for Neuro-Ophthalmology, 2017.
- Inspiring Academic Leader Award, Real World Ophthalmology, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic:
- Teacher of The Year, Mayo Fellows' Association, 2016, 2020, 2023, 2024.
- Mayo Clinic Distinguished Educator Award, 2023.
- Fellow, Academy of Educational Excellence, 2018.
- Leonard and Mary Lou Hoeft Career Development Award in Ophthalmology Research, 2018.
- Fellow, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 2018.