Fredell named director of refractive surgery at UTHealth Houston

The Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at McGovern Medical School has named Morgan N. Fredell, MD, as director of refractive surgery, marking a major milestone in the program’s continued growth. As part of her role, she is leading the development of a new, state-of-the-art refractive surgical suite, set to open at the UTHealth Houston Robert Cizik Eye Clinic-Bellaire Station in 2026.

The expansion will bring the latest FDA-approved refractive technologies under one roof, offering a wide array of options for patients seeking greater visual independence.

“When we open, we’ll be able to offer every modern refractive surgery technique available in the U.S.,” Fredell says. “That includes LASIK, SMILE, phakic IOLs, and refractive lens exchange — everything a potential refractive patient might need, based on their individual candidacy.”

With new technology comes new opportunity, not just for patients, but for residents as well. “This is about more than expanding services,” she says. “It’s about creating a more comprehensive program that trains the next generation of surgeons using the most advanced tools and techniques.”

A key benefit will be UTHealth Houston’s ability to offer care entirely within its own system. “We’ll have full control over the equipment, staff, and environment,” Fredell explains. “That allows us to create a patient experience that’s consistent, personalized, and high quality — from consultation through post-op care.”

Fredell is also advancing surgical efficiency and patient access. She recently collaborated with Memorial Hermann Health System to streamline ophthalmic surgical trays and processes, allowing more procedures per day and reducing wait times and waste. She also partnered with UTHealth Houston’s Epic team to integrate specialty eye medications into the electronic health record system, improving speed and accuracy in prescriptions.

When the new center opens, Fredell will serve as the lead refractive surgeon, with faculty recruitment underway to support continued program growth. “Our goal is to make UTHealth Houston Ophthalmology a leader in refractive surgery,” she says. “We’re building something that serves our patients, trains our residents, and keeps us on the forefront of ophthalmic care.”