Melanie N. Truong Le, DO, OD
Associate Professor-Clinical
Department:
SOM-Ophthalmology
Email:
mtruongle@umc.edu
Work Phone:
(601) 984-5122
Biography
I went to medical school to become a “DOOD”. The word makes me smile, but it also marks a journey shaped by transformation and gratitude.
Born near the end of the Vietnam War, I grew up in the shadow of my parents’ courage. They left behind everything they loved so their children could have a chance to dream freely. That sacrifice became my compass. Raised in Kansas, I learned early the value of resilience, humility, and service.
I began my career as an optometrist, drawn to the beauty of sight and the joy of teaching. But after losing a loved one to a neurologic illness, my purpose deepened. I returned to medical school, trained as a neurologist, and ultimately found my calling at the intersection of both worlds—neuro-ophthalmology.
Today, I am profoundly grateful to practice in a field that bridges vision and the brain, science and humanity. Every patient reminds me why I chose this path: to see clearly, serve deeply, and honor those who made my journey possible.
Education
| Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary- Harvard Medical School, AUPO Neuro-ophthalmology Fellowship, Neuro-ophthalmology | 2020 |
| University of Iowa Health Sciences Center, AUPO Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship, Neuro-Ophthalmology | 2019 |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center, Residency, Neurology | 2018 |
| Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO, Osteopathic Medicine | 2014 |
| Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Doctor of Optometry, Optometry | 2000 |
| Wichita State University, BS, Chemistry | 1996 |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Mississippi Medical License, University of Mississippi Medical Center | 07/2025 - 06/2026 |
| Certification, ABPN Neurology, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology | 09/2024 - Present |
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology | 01/2025 - Present |
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology | 01/2025 - Present |
| The University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson, Mississippi 39216 | |
Academic Appointments or Other Previous Appointments
| Assistant Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology | 10/2020 - 02/2023 |
Sponsored Program Funding
| Extramural, Timely-Plex Clinical Trial, Mayo Clinic | 04/2026 - Present |
Publications
Journal Article | |
| Zhou B, Cheng PR, Halderman A, Gunturu M, Truong‑Le M. Misleading Clumsiness: Unraveling Confusion Between Balance and Visual Field Constriction Caused by Amiodarone. Archives of Medical Case Reports | 2025 |
| Noorani S, Tejani AS, Chen M, Truong-Le M, Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Presenting With Neuro-Ophthalmic Manifestations. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 2025 Jun 1;45(2):231-234 | 2025 |
| Ahmed Alshaikhsalama & Melanie Truong-Le. Tilted-Disc Syndrome (TDS) – Understanding the Basics. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Online Library (NOVEL), Published 2024. Manuscript 2024-1-1. Ahmed Alshaikhsalama & Melanie Truong-Le. Tilted-Disc Syndrome (TDS) – Understanding the Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Online Library (NOVEL), Published 2024. Manuscript 2024-1-1. | 2024 |
| Sambhariya WS, Truong-Le M, An Update on Dragged-Fovea Diplopia Syndrome. Seminars in ophthalmology, 2024 Jul;39(5):364-368 | 2024 |
| Patel PN, Patel PA, Ahmed H, Lai KE, Mackay DD, Mollan SP, Truong-Le M, Assessment of the Quality, Accountability, and Readability of Online Patient Education Materials for Optic Neuritis. Neuro-ophthalmology (Aeolus Press), 2024;48(4):257-266 | 2024 |
| Noorani S, Da J, Kalva P, Smith M, Hogan RN, Truong-Le M, Concomitant Seropositive Ocular Myasthenia and Biopsy-Proven Temporal Arteritis. Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, 2024 Mar 1;44(1):e60-e61 | 2024 |
| Tardo L, Salter A, Truong-Le M, Horton L, Blackburn KM, Sguigna PV, A narrative review of neuro-ophthalmologic disease in African Americans and Hispanics with multiple sclerosis. Therapeutic advances in chronic disease, 2023;14:20406223231202645 | 2023 |
| Truong-Le M, Chwalisz B, Antibody Testing in Atypical Optic Neuritis. Seminars in ophthalmology, 2020 Aug 17;35(5-6):287-295 | 2020 |
| Ngo, M., Sambhariya, W. S., Myers, M., Cao, J., Kamat, S., & Truong‑Le, M. N. Gender Based Differences in Electronic Medical Record Utilization in an Academic Ophthalmology Practice AJO International, 2024; 1(4):100082. | |
| Brady PD, Hernandez RS, Salter A, Truong-Le M, Functional Vision Loss Among Adults and Children: Literature Review and Comparative Analysis. The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 2025 Spring;37(2):115-124 | |
Review Article | |
| Gunturu M, Sguigna PV, Truong‑Le M. Neuro-Ophthalmology Notions: The Optic Nerve as Topographic Marker in the 2024 McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis. Practical Neurology | 2025 |
| Whitney Stuard, Truong-Le, M. Treatment Outcomes of Ocular Manifestaons in Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Online Library (NOVEL), Published 2023 Treatment Outcomes of Ocular Manifestaons in Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Online Library (NOVEL), Published 2023 Whitney Stuard, Truong-Le, M. Treatment Outcomes of Ocular Manifestaons in Wernicke’s Encephalopathy. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Online Library (NOVEL), Published 2023 | 2023 |
Abstracts | |
| Nguyen C, Noorani S, Truong‑Le M. Atypical Presentation of Orbital Pulsation Following Craniotomy and Radiation Therapy: A Case Report Neurology, 2024; 102(17_supplement_1):5823. (P8‑10.001). | 2025 |
| Canady D, Kenny S, Truong-Le M, Early H, Barr W, Cao J Blood-shot Eyes: a curious tale of missed clues and re-reviews Presented at American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chicago, IL. October 2024 | 2024 |
| Sambhryia WS, Truong-Le M Two Sides of the Same Coin Presented at NANOS 50th Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI. March 2024 | 2024 |
Book Chapter | |
| Truong-Le, M., Mallery, R.M. Neurovascular Causes of Acute Monocular Visual Loss Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2020;22(27) | 2020 |
| Zaidat OO, Lerner AJ, Miles JD (Contributing Author: Truong M) The Little Black Book of Neurology Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA, 2020 | 2020 |
| Truong M, Friedman D Headache and the Eye, in Modern Day Management of Headache: Questions and Answers. Jaypee Brothers, New Delhi, 2017 Modern Day Management of Headache: Questions and Answers. Jaypee Brothers, New Delhi, 2017 | 2017 |
Electronic Publications | |
| Srinivas R, Truong-Le M. Non-Accidental Eye Injuries – A Review. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library (NOVEL). Submitted August 2024, accepted. | 2024 |
Presentations
| Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, Pediatric IIH and its MIMICKERS, Southern Pediatric Neurology Society, New Orleans | 03/2026 |
| Poster Presentation, Delayed Recanalization of a Coiled Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm Presenting with Visual Pathway Compression, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Boston | 03/2026 |
| Poster Presentation, Atypical Presentation of Orbital Pulsation Following Craniotomy and Radiation Therapy, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, Boston | 03/2026 |
| Poster Presentation, Anatomic Discordance: Bilateral Ophthalmic Manifestations of a Unilateral Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, Boston, MA | 03/2026 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Optic Neuritis: the fifth topography for Vietnamese Neurologists, Vietnamese Neurological Association, Virtual | 01/2026 |
| Invited Symposia, Vision loss and dementia care: Enhancing Care across disciplines, Annual Conferenc on Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias | 08/2025 |
| Poster Presentation, Gender-Based Differences in EMR Utilization Among Academic Ophthalmologists. Poster presentation & Abstract for Women in Science and Medicine Conference at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dallas, Tx. March 2024. Madeline Ngo, BA; Whitney Stuard Sambhariya, MD, PhD; Madeline Myers, BS, MSc, MPH; Jennifer Cao, MD; Shivani Kamat, MD; Melanie Truong-Le, DO, OD., Women in Science and Medicine, Dallas, Tx | 03/2024 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The role of extenders in Neuro-ophthalmology, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, Honolulu, HI | 03/2024 |
| Poster Presentation, Whitney Stuard Sambhryia & Melanie Truong-Le. The Relationship Between Visual Field Defects in the Setting of Chorioretinal Coloboma and Optic Disc Drusen. Poster presentation at the NANOS 50th Annual Meeting taking place March 2-7, 2024, at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort in Honolulu, Hawai, NANOS, Hawaii | 03/2024 |
| Poster Presentation, Whitney Stuard Sambhryia, Ahmed Alshaikhsalama & Melanie Truong-Le. Two Sides of the Same Coin: Two atypical cases of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Poster presentation at the NANOS 50th Annual Meeting taking place March 2-7, 2024, at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort in Honolulu, Hawaii. | 03/2024 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Women's symposium Keynote speaker and panelist, Prevent Blindness Texas | 11/2023 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Series of case vignees afferent visual dysfuncon and cases 2-day course 800 aendees/ 115 internaonal lectures, Asean Neurologicl Association Presentation, Da Nang, Vietnam | 08/2023 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, What's Papilledema?, AAN Resident Education lecture Series, Virtual | 06/2023 |
| Poster Presentation, Atypical Presentation of Orbital Pulsation Following Craniotomy and Radiation Therapy, American Academy of Neurology, Denver | 04/2023 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Radiaon induced Opc Neuropathy: A case series of exceponal responses to Bevacizumab., Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing China "Perfect vision", Virtual in China | 11/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Joseph Da & Melanie Truong- Le. Giant Cell Arteris diagnosis by NOVEL MRI black blood. Poster Presentaon. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Conference. Orlando Florida. October 2022., Florida | 10/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Parker Brady & Melanie Truong-Le. Funconal Visual Loss: Presentaon and Contribung Factors In Adults Vs. Pediatrics. Poster Presentation at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Orlando Florida. October 2022., NANOS, Florida | 10/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia and Adie’s Tonic Pupil Authors: North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. Orlando Florida. October 2022., Florida | 10/2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, UT Southwestern Neurology Brain Summit - Optic nueorpahty outside of MS, Brain Summit, Dallas, TX | 10/2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Neuro-ophthalmic signs and symptosm of Dementia | 08/2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Neuro-ophthalmic Emergencies, Fort Worth, Tx | 08/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Alden P. Gregston & Melanie Truong-Le Radiaon Induced Opc Neuropathy with Exceponal Responses to Bevacizumab, a case series. Resident Research Presentaon. UTSW. June 2022. --First Place Award—, UTSW Resident Research Day, Dallas, Tx | 06/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Sahar Noorani and Melanie Truong-Le. Atra induced Pseudotumor Cerebri, a review. Poster Presentaon at American Academy of Neurology. Boston, MA. April 2022., AAN, Boston | 04/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Melanie Truong-Le & Eric Gaier. Functonal Correlates of Luxury Perfusion in NAION. Research Poster Presentation at the North American Neuro- Ophthalmology Society. March 2020. Poster was accepted We were unable to aend to present this poster due to the pandemic and travel was limited., NANOS, Florida | 03/2022 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Radiation Induced Optic Neuropathy, Peking Medical China, Virtual | 02/2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Radiation Induced Optic Neuropathy, Faculty - alumni club, Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center | 02/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Alden P. Gregston, Sahar Noorani, Toral Patel, Steven Vernino, Zabi Wardak, Michael Youssef, & Melanie Truong-Le. Radiaon Induced Opc Neuropathy with Exceponal Responses to Bevacizumab, a case series. Poster Presentation North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Conference. Austin, Tx. February 2022, NANOS, Austin, Tx | 02/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Bajaj, A; Midtling, S, Patel, T. Melanie Truong-Le. A case of Renis Pigmentosa and Opc Nerve Head Edema. Poster Presentaon North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Conference. Austin, Tx February 2022, NANOS, Austin | 02/2022 |
| Poster Presentation, Stephanie Midtling, Amit Bajaj, Nick Hogan, Niraj Nathan, & Melanie Truong-Le. Memanne & Magnesium for Treatment of Renal Migraine Poster Presentation North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Conference. Austin, Tx. February 2022, NANOS, Austin, Tx | 02/2022 |
| Regional Invited Seminars/Lectures, OCT: anterograde, retrograd & Transsynaptic retrograde degeneration, Texas Neurologic Society, Austin, Tx | 2022 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Women’s Symposium Panelist, Prevent Blindness Texas, Dallas | 11/2021 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, The ganglion cell layer and the blind eye, UT Southwestern Zimmerman Lecture, Dallas, Tx | 10/2021 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Cortical Vision Impairment - neurological perspective, Sankara Academy of Vision Eye institute of India, Virtual presentation Tamil Nadu, India | 09/2021 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Grand Rounds presentation: Radiation Induced Optic Neuropathy, UT Southwestern Neurology, UT Southwestern Neurology Dallas, TX | 08/2021 |
| Invited Symposia, The state of NMOSD and Optic Neuritis, Neurology Live Interveiw in 4 segments, online interview | 08/2021 |
| Poster Presentation, Melanie Truong-Le & Michael Wall. The effect of refractive induced blur on Kinec Perimetry. Research Poster Presentaon at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. 03/16 2019 to 03/21/2019 Las Vegas, NV, Las Vegas | 03/2019 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Melanie Truong-Le & Randy Kardon. Reflex Upper and Lower Eyelid Movements in Response to Light Smuli. Research Poster Presentaon at the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society. 03/16 2019 to 03/21/2019 Las Vegas, NV--Best Abstract by A Fellow 2019 Award—, NANOS, Las Vegas | 03/2019 |
| State/Local Invited Seminars/Lectures, Headaches and eyes - lecture, Hurst Eye care, Rockwall, TX | 08/2018 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Melanie Truong & Bert Vargas. Correlaon of Visual Funcon and National Eye Institute Visual Funcon. American Headache Society Poster presentation 06/08/2017 **Fronters in Headache Research Award **, American Headache Society, Boston | 06/2017 |
| Poster Presentation, Melanie Truong & Divyansu Dubey. Steroid Responsive An-MOG Anbody Mediated Meningo- Encephalomyelis & Opc Neuris American Academy of Neurology Conference, Boston, MA 04/22/2017, AAN, Boston | 04/2017 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Neurological conditions and the cornea, Eye Bank Association of Ameria, Eye Bank Associaton of America Jul 2023 Fairmont Dallas, TX – In person Presentaon Tile: Neurological conditons and the cornea |
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
| Fellow Distinction, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society | 2025 |
| Frank B. Walsh Case selected 2024, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society | 2024 |
| Best Abstract by a Fellow Award 2019 “Reflex Upper and Lower Eyelid Movements in Response to Light Stimuli”, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society | 2019 |
| International Headache Academy Scholarship, International Headache Academy | 2019 |
| Stephen Damm Memorial Award For excellence and compassion in paent care in Neurology presented by the Stephen Damm Family, UTSW Neurology Residency | 2018 |
| Parkland Neurology Resident of the Year, Parkland Hospitals & Clinics | 2018 |
| Arnold P Gold Humanism Award Recognion of exemplary service, integrity, clinical excellence, and compassion, UTSW Arnold P. Gold Humanism | 2018 |
| International Headache Academy Scholarship, International Headache Academy | 2018 |
| Chief resident - administrative, UTSW Neurology Residency | 2017 |
| Frontiers in Headache Research Scholarship Research project – “Correlaon of Visual Funcon and Naonal Eye Instute Visual Funcon Quesonnaire in Subjects with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.” , American Headache Society | 2017 |
Professional Membership and Service
| Vietnamese Neurological Association, Lecturer, Conference organization, Monthly Conferences facilitating, teaching, discussion | 2024 - Present |
| North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Member | 2019 - Present |
| American Academy of Neurology, Member, Annual AAn | 2014 - Present |
| North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Fellow |
Committee Service
| Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology Editoral Board, Social Media Editoral | 2026 - Present |
| Member | 2025 - Present |
| Neuro-ophthalmology Curriculum Section Leader Neuro-Anatomy, Section Lead | 2025 - Present |
| Extenders Task Force, Task Force Member | 2023 - Present |
| NOVEL (Neuro-ophthalmology Virtual Library) Social Media Char, Chair | 2022 - Present |
Other Service
| Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology | 01/2020 - Present |
Teaching Experience
| Medicine, Course Director, Neuro-ophthalmology Lectures | Annual 2025 to current |
| Groups 22-24, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Professionalism Small Groups | Fall 2025 |
| SOM 623, Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Visual Processing Disorders | Fall 2025 |
| Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Boot Camp | Annual 2024 to current |
Directed Student Learning
| Research Advisor, Advised: Logan Thomas | 2026 - Present |
| Preceptor | 2025 - Present |
| Preceptor, Advised: Celine Nguyen | 2023 - Present |
| Preceptor, Advised: Madeline Myers | 2022 - 2023 |
| Preceptor, Advised: Joseph Da | 2022 - 2024 |
| Preceptor, Advised: Casey Strauss | 2022 - 2024 |
| Preceptor, Advised: Ahmed Alshaikhsalama | 2022 - 2024 |
| Preceptor, Advised: Whitney Stuard Sambhriya | 2021 - Present |
| Preceptor, Advised: Brady Parker | 2021 - 2024 |
Fellows supervised
| UT Southwestern Neuro-ophthalmology Fellowship, 0 fellows supervised | 07/2022 - 02/2023 |
Residency Training
| Neurology, Preceptor | 2025 - Present |
| UMMC Ophthalmology, Preceptor | 2025 - Present |
| UTSW ophthalmology, Attending Physician | 2020 - 02/2023 |