The Eye Institute is 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. Our main research themes are:

Dry Eye Research

• NIH and industry-sponsored multicenter clinical trials
• Investigator initiated clinical studies (visual function, eye drops)
• Development of new, multimodal imaging technologies for dry eye diagnosis and classification

Cornea and Lens Research

• Corneal wound healing – optical, biomechanical and biological correlates
• Advanced anterior segment imaging and development of customized vision correction
  • Corneal pathologies
  • Accommodation and presbyopia
• Refractive Index Shaping for non-invasive refractive correction

Glaucoma Research

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Genomic control of retinal ganglion cell survival
  • Molecular mechanisms of vision loss in glaucoma
• Anterior Segment Dysgenesis
• In vivo Adaptive Optics Imaging

Retina Research

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Cell differentiation and survival
  • Light-gated channels for vision restoration
• In vivo adaptive optics imaging
  • Calcium imaging of retinal ganglion cell function
  • Application of novel imaging methodologies
  • Progression of retinal eye disease
  • Photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium imaging
  • Vulnerability of retinal neurons to light damage

Thyroid Eye Disease Research

Visual Rehabilitation Research

• Cortical blindness
• Defects in ocular optics

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, Foundations and Federal Government sources.