Research
Translational Vision Research
The University of Rochester has targeted vision research as a major area for expansion by committing $11 million over 5 years to establish the Flaum Eye Institute. The Eye Institute provides a center of excellence that brings together basic scientists and clinical faculty from across the university campus, along with corporate partners, to conduct translational research focused on high priority issues identified by the National Eye Institute.
- Physiological Optics: This program will develop methods for imaging the eye and characterizing its optical aberrations, and use these methods for vision optimization, the development of treatments for presbyopia, and for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases. This effort capitalizes on the technological breakthroughs of Dr. David Williams of the Center for Visual Sciences, his collaborators Drs. Scott MacRae and Geun-Young Yoon of the Ophthalmology Department, as well as the expertise of the Optics and Biomedical Engineering Departments.
- Neuro-ophthalmology: The neuro-ophthalmology research program will emphasize the development of new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmologic disorders that cause neuronal visual loss. This program builds on the densely concentrated expertise at the University of Rochester in visual psychophysics, neurophysiology, neuroscience and visual rehabilitation.
- Retina: The retinal research program will focus on understanding the molecular genetics of retinal circuits in health and diseases, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. This information will be used in conjunction with efforts to develop diagnostic screening tools to identify genetic factors causing a predisposition for disease and to develop therapeutic interventions, such as genetic therapy, stem-cell transplantation and photo-dynamic therapy. This program builds on the expertise of faculty who study retinal circuitry and genetics and upon the interest of local industry, such as Bausch and Lomb, to develop collaborative interactions directed towards understanding the basis and treatment of retinal disease.
The Eye Institute offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary platform for basic researchers and clinician scientists interested in improving eye health. Rochester provides a unique environment for vision research that includes generous funding for substantial technological innovation from a number of corporations, including extraordinary support and scientific collaborations with Rochester-based Bausch & Lomb.
Current areas of research
