Meet Dr. Joseph Chacko

Joseph G. Chacko, M.D., has served as the director of neuro-ophthalmology at the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute at UAMS since 2005, bringing over two decades of experience in advanced cataract surgery techniques that require no shots or patches. His expertise helps patients with complex eye conditions achieve better vision with minimally invasive approaches.

As a professor in both the Ophthalmology and Neurology departments at the UAMS College of Medicine, Dr. Chacko is deeply involved in training future doctors, serving as the Ophthalmology Clerkship Director for medical students. He is dedicated to educating patients and students alike about eye health and neurological visual disorders.

Dr. Chacko extends his care globally through annual surgical mission trips to Ghana and Guatemala, which he has participated in since 1997. His research focuses on optic nerve diseases such as ischemic optic neuropathy and giant cell arteritis, aiming to improve treatments for vision loss. He has been board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology since 1996 and was honored with the Sally McSpadden Boreham Chair in Ophthalmology in 2016.