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, Clinical Fellowship, Neuro-ophthalmology | 2020 |
| University of Iowa Health Sciences Center, Fellowship #1, Neuro-Ophthalmology | 2019 |
| Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO, Osteopathic Medicine | 2014 |
| Pennsylvania College of Optometry, O.D., Optometry | 2000 |
| Wichita State University, BS, Chemistry | 1996 |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center, Residency, Neurology |
Specialty Certification Licensure
| Licensure, Mississippi Medical License | 07/2025 - 06/2026 |
| Certification, ABPN Neurology |
Current Positions
| Associate Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology | 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 - 02/2024 |
| Associate Professor, University of Mississippi Medical Center, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology |
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 |
| Sambhariya WS, Truong-Le M, An Update on Dragged-Fovea Diplopia Syndrome. Seminars in ophthalmology, 2024 Jul;39(5):364-368 | 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 |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
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 |
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
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, The role of extenders in Neuro-ophthalmology, North American Neuro-ophthalmology Society, Honolulu, HI | 03/2024 |
| National and International Invited Seminars/Lectures, Radiation Induced Optic Neuropathy, Peking Medical China, Virtual | 02/2022 |
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 |
| 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
| Member | 2025 - Present |
Teaching Experience
| Groups 22-24, Medicine, Small Group, Facilitator, Professionalism Small Groups | Fall 2025 |
| SOM 623, Medicine, Lecture, Lecturer, Visual Processing Disorders | Fall 2025 |
Directed Student Learning
| Preceptor | 2025 - Present |
Residency Training
| UMMC Ophthalmology, Preceptor | 2025 - Present |