An Investigator of Glaucoma Cell Biology and a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa has joined the Axenfeld-Rieger Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr Markus Kuehn’s research focuses on understanding the cellular events that lead to vision loss, and the impact of chronic inflammation in glaucoma.
His pioneering research into the repair of the trabecular meshwork, a small tissue in the eye which helps to maintain healthy intraocular pressure, using induced pluripotent stem cells has shown promising results in the restoration of normal intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Dr Kuehn said: “I have been carrying out research in glaucoma for many years. Glaucoma associated with Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome is particularly challenging to treat, in part because we still don’t fully understand how the mutations leading to this condition affect the developing eye. I look forward to contributing my expertise toward finding ways to treat and preserve vision in affected children.”
“I am excited to welcome Dr Kuehn to the Scientific Advisory Board”, said Rebecca Sloan, founder of the Axenfeld-Rieger Foundation. “He brings extensive knowledge into the ways in which structures in the eye can be repaired using stem cells in order to restore effective drainage to the eye. His expertise in the cellular events which cause glaucoma will be a tremendous asset to the Scientific Advisory Board.”
The Axenfeld-Rieger Foundation is a patient advocacy group focused on finding a cure, or effective treatment, for the glaucoma caused by Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome.