Justin Dredge, M.D.

Glaucoma and Cataract Surgeon | Volunteer Clinical Faculty, UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute

Professional Profile

Dr. Justin Dredge is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the surgical and medical management of glaucoma and anterior segment/cataract surgery. He serves as volunteer clinical faculty at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute, where he helps train the next generation of surgeons while providing advanced patient care.

He has developed particular expertise in complex glaucoma and cataract surgery, treating patients with the most advanced and challenging cases of disease. At the same time, he is deeply committed to preventing progression, using careful long-term management, advanced imaging, and the latest minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) technologies to preserve vision and improve quality of life.

Education & Training

• B.S. in Biology – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
• M.D. – Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
• Internship – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
• Ophthalmology Residency – Loma Linda University Eye Institute
• Glaucoma Fellowship – USC Roski Eye Institute (recognized among the most outstanding fellows of his class)

Academic Pursuits & Research

Dr. Dredge is a widely published clinician-scientist whose research spans both glaucoma and cataract surgery. His academic work includes:

• Artificial intelligence in diagnostics – Co-author of studies using deep learning algorithms to detect angle closure from imaging, with performance comparable to expert graders.
• Population-based research – Contributions to the Chinese American Eye Study advancing machine learning–aided detection of angle closure using goniophotographs and OCT imaging.
• Glaucoma physiology – Publications exploring how posture, particularly side-sleeping, affects intraocular pressure and glaucoma progression.
• Cataract innovation – Involvement in clinical trials of extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses, demonstrating improved post-cataract vision and reduced spectacle dependence.
• Glaucoma therapeutics – Investigator in the Phase III iDose clinical trials, which showed sustained intraocular pressure reduction and reduced reliance on glaucoma medications.

Through these diverse academic contributions, Dr. Dredge has helped advance both the science and practice of ophthalmology, from early detection of glaucoma to improved outcomes in cataract surgery.

Clinical & Surgical Expertise

• Complex glaucoma and cataract surgery
• Preventive glaucoma management using advanced diagnostics and MIGS
• Patient-centered treatment plans integrating the latest technology with individualized care

• Our Doctors
• Michael Colvard, M.D.
• Robert Smyth-Medina, M.D.
• Rom Kandavel, M.D.
• Justin Dredge, M.D.
• Steven Yoon, M.D.
• Stephen M. Rabinowitz, M.D.