The Department of Ophthalmology’s research portfolio is robust. Our Vision Research Laboratory encompasses all laboratory-based programs, as well as clinical research funded by the National Eye Institute. We have a multitude of clinical trials being conducted across all subspecialities within the Department.
Our group was one of the first to report the use of intravitreal triamcinolone, which is now used widely to treat a number of eye diseases, as well as transpupillary thermal therapy for occult choroidal neovascularization. For the past few decades, we have been involved in many other industry- and NIH-sponsored studies of the most exciting recent advances in ocular therapeutics in retinopathy of prematurity, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
Perhaps most notably, since the early 1990’s, the New England Eye Center has been at the forefront in ophthalmic imaging research. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), we were involved in the development of a revolutionary ocular imaging technology, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and since the development of the earliest OCT prototypes over 20 years ago, we have continued a close collaboration with Dr. Fujimoto’s laboratory at MIT to pursue ground-breaking research in the field of ever-expanding OCT technologies.
The focus of our multi-disciplinary programs ranges from the most basic investigations into the nature of genes and proteins, to targeted studies on mechanisms of eye disease, to ophthalmic biotechnology development, to clinical research and clinical trials. Our investigations cover all categories of eye disease.
Areas of research concentration include:
- Basic Mechanisms of Corneal Repair and Failure to Heal
- Pathogenic Mechanisms of Glaucoma
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Epidemiology
- Gene Therapy and Translational Research
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Retinal Regeneration
- Transgenic Models of Eye Development and Disease
New England Eye Center believes that integration of laboratory and clinical research is essential for significant advances to occur. Our programs are distinguished by such integration, and we continually strive to improve.
Ocular discomfort is one of the most common reasons for patients seeking ophthalmic care, with millions of patients diagnosed as dry eye disease. However, a subset of these patients have chronic neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), that are related to diseases and surgeries, as well as systemic conditions and therapies, that may mimic dry eye disease and are thus under diagnosed. While NCP is highly debilitating and poorly understood condition, it is a treatable condition if diagnosed properly, through a combination of nerve regenerating eyedrops, oral and device treatments changing nerve function, amniotic membranes, and life style changes, among others. Early intervention results in more rapid improvement in patients. Drs. Pedram Hamrah and Anat Galor explain the disease, discuss treatment options, and provide several patient testimonials.