Spencer Moore, MD, PhD
Ophthalmologist
Specialties: Retina
Dr. Spencer M. Moore is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in vitreoretinal care. With extensive training in basic science, retinal disease, and retinal surgery, he is dedicated to preserving and restoring vision while providing thoughtful, personalized care. His approach is patient-centered and evidence-based, focusing on understanding each patient’s individual needs and developing treatment plans grounded in the latest medical knowledge.
Education & Honors
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience, graduating magna cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles. He went on to complete the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of California, San Diego, earning both his Doctor of Medicine degree and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Moore completed an internal medicine internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. He subsequently pursued advanced fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where he also served as an Assistant Instructor in ophthalmology.
Awards & Distinctions
Dr. Moore has received recognition throughout his medical and research training, including:
- Academic Merit Award, University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science
- Resident and Fellow Research Scholarship, University of Arizona Graduate Medical Education
- Ophthalmic Knowledge Honor Roll, University of Arizona Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science
- Predoctoral Fellowship Award, Autism Science Foundation
- Travel Award to the NIMH MD/PhD Student Conference
- Graduate Student Delegate, Wolfgang Hillen Summer School, BaCaTec Bavaria-California Technology Center, Munich, Germany
Community Service & Professional Affiliations
Dr. Spencer Moore is a member of the ASRS, AAO, and ABO. He has additionally served as a peer reviewer for several scientific journals, including Frontiers in Genetics, Current Molecular Medicine, Neural Regeneration Research, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, and Journal of Clinical Medicine.
Personal Interests
Outside of his work, Spence enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He also enjoys staying active through tennis and golf.
REVIEW ARTICLES
- Moore SM and Christoforidis JB. Advances in ophthalmic epigenetics and implications for epigenetic therapies: a review. Genes. 2023;14(2).
- McAllister MA, Moore SM, Bullock BL, Christoforidis JB. Review Article: lntraocular methotrexate for the treatment and prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. J VitreoRetinal Dis. 2022;0(0).
- Moore SM, Skowronska-Krawczyk D, Chao DL. Targeting of the NRL Pathway as a Therapeutic Strategy to Treat Retinitis Pigmentosa. J Clinic Med. 2020;9(7) E224.
- Moore SM, Chao DL. Genetics of diabetic retinopathy. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. 2020.
- Moore, SM, Chao DL. Application of subthreshold laser therapy in retinal disease: a review. Exp Rev Ophthal. 2018;13(6):311-20.
- Moore SM, Skowronska-Krawczyk D, Chao DL. Emerging Concepts for RNA Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019; 1185: 85-89.
- Khalaj AJ, Hasselmann J, Augello C, Moore S, Tiwari-Woodruff SK. Nudging oligodendrocyte intrinsic signaling to remyelinate and repair: Estrogen receptor ligand effects. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2016;160:43-52.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
- Tsai ASH, Wang CT, Lee TC, … , Moore S, et al. Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Unilateral Coats disease – a Global Collaborative Study. Ophth Retina
- 2024;11 (017).
- Moore SM, Bullock BL, Walsh MK. Long-term outcomes of sutureless intrascleral IOL fixation in children and adults: single surgeon case series with and without haptic flanging with up to 11 years of follow up. Retina. 2024;44(2)280.
- EI-Nimri NW, Moore SM, Zangwill, LM, Proudfoot JA, Weinreb RN, Skowronska-Krawczyk D et al. Evaluating the neuroprotective impact of senolytic drugs on human vision. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1 ):21752
- Moore SM, Seidman JS, Ellegood J, Gao R, Savchenko A, Troutman TD et al. Setd5 haploinsufficiency alters neuronal network connectivity and leads to autistic-like behaviors in mice. Transl Psy. 2019;9(1):24.
- Mesci P, Macia A, Moore SM, Shiryaev SA, Pinto A, Huang CT, et al. Blocking Zika virus vertical transmission. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):1218.
- Moore SM, Khalaj AJ, Kumar S, Winchester Z, Yoon J, Yoo T, et al. Multiple functional therapeutic effects of the estrogen receptor beta agonist indazole-CI in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci US A. 2014;111(50):18061-6.
- Moore S, Khalaj AJ, Patel R, Yoon J, lchwan D, Hayardeny L, et al. Restoration of axon conduction and motor deficits by therapeutic treatment with glatiramer acetate. J Neurosci Res. 2014;92(12): 1621-36.
- Patel R, Moore S, Crawford DK, Hannsun G, Sasidhar MV, Tan K, et al. Attenuation of corpus callosum axon myelination and remyelination in the absence of circulating sex hormones. Brain Pathol. 2013;23(4 ):462-75.
- Moore S, Patel R, Hannsun G, Yang J, Tiwari-Woodruff SK. Sex chromosome complement influences functional callosal myelination. Neuroscience. 2013;245:166-78.
- Moore S, Khalaj AJ, Yoon J, Patel R, Hannsun G, Yoo T, et al. Therapeutic laquinimod treatment decreases inflammation, initiates axon remyelination, and improves motor deficit in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav. 2013;3(6):664-82.
- Kumar S, Patel R, Moore S, Crawford DK, Suwanna N, Mangiardi M, et al. Estrogen receptor beta ligand therapy activates PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in oligodendrocytes and promotes remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Neurobiol Dis. 2013;56:131-44.
- Khalaj AJ, Yoon J, Nakai J, Winchester Z, Moore SM, Yoo T, et al. Estrogen receptor (ER) beta expression in oligodendrocytes is required for attenuation of clinical disease by an ERbeta ligand. Proc Natl Acad Sci US A. 2013;110(47):19125-30.
CASE REPORTS
Moore SM, McAllister MA, Thomas TO. Rickettsia rickettsii infection as an unusual cause of pediatric retinitis: a case report. Am J Ophthalm Case Rep. 2022;(26):101566.
McAllister MA, Moore SM, Harris AE. lntravitreal Rituximab-Associated Retinal Occlusive Vasculitis. J VitreoRetinal Dis. 2022;0(0).
McAllister MA, Moore SM, Harris AE. Acinetobacter Baumanii Blab-Related Endophthalmitis. Clin lmmunol Infect Dis 2022;6(3):4.
JOURNALS SERVED AS REVIEWER
Frontiers in Genetics
Current Molecular Medicine
Neural Regeneration Research
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Journal of Clinical Medicine



