Ophthalmology Research

Overview

Mass Eye and Ear is the flagship research and teaching hospital of the Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology. Led by Ophthalmology Chair Rishi P. Singh, MD, the department unites researchers from three laboratories and institutions: the Howe Laboratory, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear, and the Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Retinal Degenerations. Our investigators are members of several Harvard Ophthalmology institutes and centers of excellence. With the goal of translating scientific research into advances in patient care, these multidisciplinary groups unite clinicians, investigators, educators, and trainees across the department and beyond.

Research focus areas

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

The AMD Center of Excellenceis dedicated to unraveling the complex and multifactorial causes of AMD, the leading cause of blindness in developed countries.

Clinical Data Science

The Clinical Data Science Instituteleverages big data to build stronger health profiles and predictive models in order improve the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.

Cornea

The Cornea Center of Excellencebrings together the world’s largest group of scientists and physicians to understand corneal biology, develop treatments for corneal conditions, and improve access to sight-saving treatments.

Diabetic Eye Disease

The Diabetic Eye Disease Center of Excellenceaims to advance available treatments for diabetic retinopathy. Researchers are studying risk factors for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and evaluating novel approaches to therapy.

Glaucoma

The Glaucoma Center of Excellenceaims to elucidate disease mechanisms and processes, with the ultimate goal of developing novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Infectious Eye Disease

The Infectious Disease Instituteis a Harvard-wide initiative that operates in conjunction with the NIH-sponsored Harvard-wide Program on Antibiotic Resistance/Boston Area Antibiotic Resistance Network.

Ocular Genomics

The Ocular Genomics Institutetranslates genomic medicine into precision ophthalmic care. Investigators provide clinical genetic diagnostic testing and research services, such as whole exome and whole genome sequencing, SNP-based genotype analyses, and copy number variant analyses.

Mobility Enhancement and Vision Rehabilitation

The Mobility Enhancement and Vision Rehabilitationcenter develops and applies real-world and virtual environments for research, clinical assessment, and vision rehabilitation training. Researchers hope their work will enable those with visual impairments to safely achieve greater freedom and enhanced quality of life.

Ocular Oncology

Members of the Ocular Oncology Center of Excellenceaim to understand the molecular and genetic basis of ocular tumors, with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis and treatment.

Ocular Regenerative Medicine

The Ocular Regenerative Medicine Instituteis leading the effort to develop revolutionary methods to regenerate eye tissues for various diseases, including AMD, glaucoma, corneal disease, and ocular cancer.