Annual Report 2021
• An eye-brain connection: Groundbreaking advancements for neurorehabilitation patients
• Shedding light on rare diseases
> Saving vision with gene therapies
• Biorepository: A new key to precision health
• Eye care at all ages: Bringing vision restoration to pediatric patients
• New center tackles rapidly growing myopia prevalence
• My second chance at sight: A patient’s hopeful journey after optic nerve stroke
• Global impact: Generous donors support global health efforts for cataract blindness
• A hopeful view on eyesight: Grateful patient celebrates Dr. Kuldev Singh’s 30th anniversary in 2022
• Fighting blindness across borders
• Stanford Belize Vision Clinic: Training the next generation of eye care providers
• Training for global care: Ophthalmology resident sets up two eye care programs in the Middle East
• Mentorship leads to new gene therapy discoveries
• 3D bioprinting to eliminate corneal blindness
• Big data to transform patient care
Saving vision with gene therapies
Vinit Mahajan, MD, PhD
Vinit Mahajan, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology and vice-chair for research, is leading two human gene therapy trials, one for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and a second for an inherited form of retinal disease caused by the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene. Diseases often originate from mutated genes, and gene therapy is a therapeutic approach that places healthy genes into patient cells to prevent and treat disease. Mahajan’s trials are sponsored by two clinical-stage gene therapy companies, Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited and MeiraGTx UK II Ltd. Currently, they are screening patients with AMD and inherited retinal disease via saliva sampling genetic testing kits in preparation for the intervention phase. Qualifying participants who carry genes of interest are enrolled into a natural history study, which closely evaluates disease progression. In the coming months, they hope to perform surgery to deliver the approved gene therapy drug to patients. To find out more, send an email to VisionGenetics@stanford.edu. An up-to-date list of all clinical trials can be viewed here.