Dr. Frigoletto discovers passion for corneal care, finds new home through residency and fellowship at WVU

Evan Frigoletto, M.D., arrived on the West Virginia University Health Sciences Campus in 2020 as a first-year resident, eager to explore the field of ophthalmology and visual sciences. In the years since he has found what he considers his new home while igniting a passion for treating and managing corneal diseases.

Upon completing his residency in the summer of 2024, Frigoletto was accepted to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Cornea Fellowship Program, a one-year, ACGME-accredited fellowship that prepares ophthalmologists for the medical and surgical management of corneal diseases.

Frigoletto’s interest in this subspecialty began to build as he volunteered in the wet lab with corneal faculty members throughout his residency. He said he’s found the cornea to be a particularly satisfying area of focus, as so much of what causes pain and disability in the eyes occurs there.

“The invisible and intricate nature of the anatomy in the cornea makes treating its disease unique,” he said. “The way light bends, reflects and moves through the tissue is as poetic as it is clinically engaging. Being able to replace and restore vision through corneal surgery affords me the opportunity to make a crucial difference that can improve patients’ lives.”

He cited his tenure as chief resident in his final year as a crucial educational experience for him, as it provided him with the opportunity to hone his mentor skills while he provided guidance and support to his junior residents. These skills have proved useful for him as his role as a mentor in the Department has expanded during his fellowship where he oversees both the resident and VA clinics.

Frigoletto will continue to build on and utilize his teaching skills in the next phase of his career as a faculty member for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Upon graduating from the fellowship program in the summer, he will transition into a role as an assistant professor and cornea specialist for WVU Eye Institute, becoming the fourth former fellow to join the department as a faculty member since 2020.

“I feel very much at home here in Morgantown and my mentors in the cornea division have been nothing short of exceptional. When I discovered there may be an opportunity to stay on at the Eye Institute as faculty, I knew immediately it was something I wanted to pursue,” he said. “We have a great team here, and I can’t wait to start working side-by-side with them as an attending this summer.”

Frigoletto joins the esteemed cornea faculty at the Eye Institute which includes professor and chair for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Thomas Mauger, M.D.

“We have been incredibly lucky to have Dr. Frigoletto with us as a resident and fellow and are delighted to have him permanently join the team as a faculty member this summer. I look forward to continuing our work together as we tackle the complex corneal conditions that affect patients in West Virginia and beyond,” Dr. Mauger said.

To learn more about the Cornea Fellowship Program, and the rest of the specialty fellowship programs offered in the Department, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/eye/fellowships.