Meet our Orthoptists

• Alex Christoff, BS, CO

  Alex Christoff is an assistant professor of ophthalmology who has been an American Orthoptic Council-Certified orthoptist for 21 years, as well as a JCAHPO-Certified ophthalmic technician for over 30 years. He has devoted his professional career to the education of Wilmer's residents, fellows, orthoptic students, and ophthalmic technicians across the United States through over 200 lectures, posters and presentations. He was the 45th Richard G. Scobee Memorial Lecturer for the American Association of Certified Orthoptists (AACO) in 2014 and is the current president.

  

• Xiaonong Liu, MSc, CO, COMT

  Xiaonong Liu specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adult patients with amblyopia, strabismus, diplopia, and eye muscle disorders. She graduated from Suzhou University School of Medicine, then trained and worked as an ophthalmologist in a Suzhou-affiliated teaching hospital. She received a master science degree from State University of New York, School of Optometry, and completed orthoptic training at the University of Florida. She has been an American Orthoptic Council-certified orthoptist since 1999, as well as a JCAHPO-Certified ophthalmic medical technologist since 1998. She started her orthoptist career with University of Maryland and later joined pediatric ophthalmology department at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2001.

  

• Jana Mattheu, CO, COMT

  Jana Mattheu is a certified orthoptist and certified ophthalmic medical technologist. She specializes in both pediatric and adult strabismus and binocular vision. Mrs. Mattheu has nearly 30 years of experience in the field - in both academic and private practice - totaling 10 years with the Wilmer Eye Institute. In 2019, she was a recipient of the Service Star of Excellence award from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. Prior to her orthoptic education at the University of Florida, Mrs. Mattheu worked in opticianry. This experience helped her in understanding the optical principles of refracting and crafting lenses, helping to fit patients with complicated spectacle prescriptions, and utilizing prisms to help restore binocular vision. Over the years, Jana has lectured at both regional and national Academy meetings to her peers. She enjoys spending time working one-on-one in clinic educating resident physicians and sharing her tricks to excel in the pediatric and strabismus ophthalmologic exams.