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Diseases of the back of the eye

Disease and injury to the retina is involved in many of the most common blinding diseases in the industrialized world.  Age-related macular degeneration alone impacts more than 10 million Americans. Research at Schepens Eye Research Institute addresses the "big three" of blinding diseases - namely macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma - as well as many other conditions that are less well known, such as retinopathy of prematurity. Efforts of individual laboratories are enhanced by the following research focus groups:

Research Groups:

Minda de Gunzburg Research Center for Retinal Transplantation

Leader: Michael Young, Ph.D.

This center was established with the goal of using basic research to overcome barriers to successful retinal transplantation, and thereby hastening the realization of our goal: to make the restoration of sight to the blinded eye a reality. The center has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of investigators, with expertise in molecular and cellular immunology, neurobiology and neural development, as well as ophthalmic surgery and low vision rehabilitation. To read more about the de Gunzburg Center, click here.

Neural and Vascular Biology Focus Group

Leader: Patricia D’Amore, Ph.D.

This group’s focus is the pathogenesis of non-proliferative (background) diabetic retinopathy, and many members of the group are funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Center for Diabetic Retinopathy at the Schepens. To read more about the Vascular Biology Focus Group, click here.

Glaucoma Interest Group

Leader: Mara Lorenzi, M.D. 

The goal of the group is to make glaucoma a focus of interdisciplinary interest at the
Institute, with a declared commitment to scientific pursuits that are clinically relevant.
Toward this goal, the membership includes Schepens scientists from different disciplines and fields of interest such as neuroscience, immunology, aging, diabetes, and low-vision.  The group includes a clinical expert in glaucoma, Louis Pasquale, MD.  Optic nerve injury and regeneration are among the group's areas of interest. To read  more about the Glaucoma Interest Group, click here.