2024 Year in Review: Pioneering the Future of Eye Care

As we look back on 2024, I am deeply proud of the exceptional strides we've made at the UPMC Vision Institute. Our commitment to improving quality of life through the preservation and restoration of vision continues to drive everything we do. This year, we have advanced our mission across the three pillars of patient care, research, and education—each contributing to our vision of being a leader in eye care, advancing the frontiers of eye research, and shaping the future of eye health and treatment.

Our team continues to deliver personalized, high-quality care while expanding our subspecialties to meet the evolving needs of our patients. New faculty and positions have helped us stay at the forefront of advancements in treatment.

Our research program, ranked eighth in NIH funding, continues to make impactful strides in ocular immunology, retinal disease, glaucoma, optic nerve regeneration, corneal regeneration, and advanced diagnostic technologies. These efforts are directly improving the care we provide to our patients.

In education, we continue to train the next generation of ophthalmology leaders. Our residency program, which trains six new residents each year, along with our fellowship programs in retina, cornea, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and pediatric ophthalmology, are shaping both future clinicians and researchers.

I am excited for the future as we continue to innovate and make strides in all areas of ophthalmology. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to advance eye care. I hope you’ll consider nominating UPMC Vision Institute (under the tab UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside) in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hospitals survey.

I encourage you to stay connected with our Department and learn more about education and research at ophthalmology.pitt.edu.

Image of José-Alain Sahel, MD.

José-Alain Sahel, MD

Director, UPMC Vision Institute

Distinguished Professor and Chair, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

The Eye & Ear Foundation Endowed Chair

Exceptional Class Professor at Sorbonne Université, Paris

Cell Type-Specific AAVs: An Exploration of Reward and Cognition | UPMC Physician Resources

A multidisciplinary research team from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University was awarded a National Institutes of Health U01 grant to explore the specific targeting capabilities of Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs) in neuroscience studies. This project is directed by principal investigators William Richard Stauffer, PhD (Pitt), Andreas Robert Pfenning, PhD (CMU), Afonso Silva, PhD (Pitt), and Leah Byrne, PhD, from the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, who specializes in developing gene therapies for retinal diseases using adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) and gene editing approaches using CRISPR/Cas9 and proprietary tools.

New Thermoresponsive Gel for Delivery of Retinal AAV Gene Therapy | UPMC Physician Resources

A research team from the UPMC Vision Institute is at work on a multidisciplinary project to test a new retinal adhesive thermoresponsive gel for delivering an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy to the outer retina for treating Leber Congenital Amaurosis (variant NPHP5-LCA). This ambitious project is funded by two complementary grants, one a National Institutes of Health R01 award and the other a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP).

New Insights Could Unlock Immunotherapy for Rare, Deadly Eye Cancer | UPMC Physician Resources

In a paper published in Nature Communications, the Pitt researchers explain how they developed a new clinical tool that predicts which patients will respond to adoptive therapy. The work, supported by UPMC Enterprises, is helping improve personalized therapies and avoid futile treatments for metastatic uveal melanoma.

UPMC Vision Institute’s Surgical Training Lab Provides New Technology | UPMC Physician Resources

Surgical training and surgical simulation training play a crucial role in shaping competent and confident ophthalmologists. Coinciding with the opening of the new UPMC Mercy Pavilion, headquarters of the UPMC Vision Institute, was a purpose-built and designed new surgical training and simulation lab created specifically for aiding in the training of new residents. This is one of the newest and largest in the nation.

UPMC Vision Institute Begins Clinical Use of Luxturna^® Gene Therapy | UPMC Physician Resources

In July 2024, the UPMC Vision Institute treated its first patient with the gene therapy Luxturna^® for inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD) caused by biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene. Luxturna^®was the first gene therapy for any disease approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2017.“While inherited retinal diseases in general are rare diseases and the biallelic RPE65 mutation variants even more so, Luxturna’s demonstrated efficacy provides our patient population the ability to halt the progression of their disease and hopefully maintain their remaining functional vision capacity,” says Joseph Martel, MD, assistant professor of Ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Recently Published Research from the Department of Ophthalmology | UPMC Physician Resources

Physicians and researchers from the UPMC Vision Institute, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology continuously produce and publish new research in a variety of medical journals throughout the year. Recent research published in July and August include topics such as optogenetic vision restoration, diabetic retinopathy, pediatric ophthalmology, retinal gene therapy, and more. We invite you to explore the selection of our physicians’ recently published work.

Pitt Team Gets Millions From ARPA-H for Whole Eye Transplant Project | Health Sciences | University of Pittsburgh

To make whole eye transplants that restore sight a reality, the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh is part of a project team for a program called Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts, or THEA. The project will receive an award of up to $56 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Pitt will likely receive around $9 million for its role in the project, the largest Pitt has received for optic nerve regeneration.

José-Alain Sahel, MD, Received EURORDIS Scientific Award 2024 | UPMC Physician Resources

José-Alain Sahel, MD, distinguished professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the UPMC Vision Institute, received the EURORDIS – Rare Disease Europe Scientific Award 2024 at the annual EURORDIS Black Pearl Awards event on Feb. 20, 2024, a hybrid ceremony that took place both online and in Brussels, Belgium.

Leah Byrne, PhD, Named Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors | UPMC Physician Resources

Leah Byrne, PhD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has been named a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) The NAI is a member organization of universities, government agencies, and nonprofit research institutes from around the world that aims to recognize, encourage, and celebrate inventors and raise awareness about how new inventions benefit society.

José-Alain Sahel, MD, Received Macula Society Michaelson Award | UPMC Physician Resources

José-Alain Sahel, MD, distinguished professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the UPMC Vision Institute, received the Macula Society Michaelson Award, delivered the Michaelson lecture on gene-independent strategies for retinal degenerations, and organized a related symposium at the society’s 47th Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, Calif., on Feb. 7.

Expertscape Recognizes UPMC Vision Institute Faculty | UPMC Physician Resources

Expertscape, an online resource for biomedical information and leading physicians in various disciplines, has named four UPMC Vision Institute faculty members as world experts in their subspecialties: José-Alain Sahel, MD, Ken Nischal, MD, Vishal Jhanji, MD, and Jay Chhablani, MD. According to its website, Expertscape determines expertise based solely on a physician’s scientific publications; those who rank in the top 0.1% of all published authors on a topic are termed world experts.

Dr. Sahel Featured on Neuroscience Perspectives Podcast | UPMC Physician Resources

José-Alain Sahel, MD, was the keynote speaker at the 33rd Biennial Center for Visual Science Symposium at the University of Rochester. He recently joined John Foxe, PhD, for a "Neuroscience Perspectives" podcast episode to discuss his gene therapy research and clinical trial efforts.

Xing Chen, PhD, Receives 2024 NIH Director’s New Innovator Award | UPMC Physician Resources

Xing Chen, PhD, an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and researcher at the UPMC Vision Institute specializing in visual neuroscience, recently received the 2024 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award, which aims to support high-impact research from an early-stage investigator. The award is one of four in the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program, an initiative that provides funding for innovative research with the potential for broad impact in biomedical, behavioral, or social sciences.

José-Alain Sahel, MD, Receives 2024 Wolf Prize in Medicine | UPMC Physician Resources

José-Alain Sahel, MD, distinguished professor and chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the UPMC Vision Institute, received the prestigious Wolf Prize in Medicine together with his colleague Botond Roska, MD, PhD, of the Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), for their work to restore sight using optogenetics, a research tool that uses light to control cell activity.

Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, L.Ac, Named to 2024 Power List: Top 100 in the World

Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD, L.Ac, was named to the 2024 Power List by The Ophthalmologist, a magazine exploring the latest vision breakthroughs, research, and insights. The Power List showcases those individuals whose work and influence have earned them recognition as ophthalmology’s global leaders and highlights their groundbreaking contributions to ophthalmic medicine and practice.

19 UPMC Ophthalmologists Recognized on Pittsburgh Magazine’s Top Doctors List

These physicians are part of the Top Doctors® list, which is compiled by Castle Connolly. The Castle Connolly Top Doctor selection process is entirely merit-based. Castle Connolly’s peer-to-peer nominations and rigorous research process ensure only the most qualified physicians are included.

Alexander Anetakis, MD

Gabrielle Bonhomme, MD

Joel D. Brown, MD

Ian P. Conner, MD

Deepinder K. Dhaliwal, MD

Denise Gallagher, MD

Anna G. Gushchin, MD

Roheena M. Kamyar, MD

Alex Mammen, MD

Joseph N. Martel, MD

Kanwal Ken Nischal, MD

Matthew S. Pihlblad, MD

Colin Prensky, MD

Pamela P. Rath, MD

Tarek Shazly, MD

Marshall W. Stafford, MD

Susan Tonya Stefko, MD

John S. Swogger, DO

Evan L. (Jake) Waxman, MD, PhD

A Vision of the Future: Advancing Gene Therapies to Treat Eye Diseases | UPMC Physician Resources

Ophthalmology is a key priority for UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh. This commitment was highlighted in a virtual panel discussion that featured Alexander Anetakis , MD, a vitreo-retinal surgeon at UPMC and physician-advisor at UPMC Enterprises, and leaders of two companies developing gene therapies to treat inherited vision disease.

UPMC Vision Institute Faculty Participate in i2Eye Conference | UPMC Physician Resources

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology and the UPMC Vision Institute were well represented at the 6th annual i2Eye event with multiple faculty members sharing their clinical and research expertise in a series of panel sessions and discussions.The prestigious interdisciplinary i2Eye conference, hosted by UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh, and Institut de la Vision, focuses on innovative imaging of eye diseases. The event was held at the newly constructed UPMC Mercy Pavilion, the Vision Institute's headquarters. The pavilion opened in May 2023 and is a state-of-the-art facility where the clinical and research expertise of UPMC and the Department of Ophthalmology help to prevent vision loss and restore sight.

Vision Leaders Reinforce Pittsburgh-Paris Partnership at i2Eye Conference | Health Sciences | University of Pittsburgh

World leaders in eye treatments and imaging came together in Pittsburgh to share advances in their disciplines at the i2Eye Conference, which was hosted in September by the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology, the UPMC Vision Institute and world-renowned institutions in Paris.

UPMC Experts Deliver Free Care at Annual Mission of Mercy Event | UPMC Physician Resources

Hundreds of volunteers, including faculty members, trainees, alumni, and staff from the UPMC Vision Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences Communication Science and Disorders Department, and University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine delivered free care to patients in need at the eighth annual Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh event on Nov. 1 and 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Ophthalmology Alumni Reunion | UPMC Physician Resources

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology hosted its second annual Alumni Reunion Thursday, Sept. 26 through Saturday, Sept. 28. Events began with a welcome reception on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, followed by two days of engaging presentations at the UPMC Vision Institute’s headquarters at the new UPMC Mercy Pavilion in Uptown Pittsburgh.

Digital Twin of the Eye – featuring Jay Chhablani, MD

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Ocular Inflammation – featuring Alex Mammen, MD

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Glaucoma and the Role of a Patient Navigator in Vision Care – featuring Andrew Williams, MD

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Seeing the Future of Gene Therapy – featuring Michelle Alabek, MS, LCGC, and José-Alain Sahel, MD

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Leveraging the Microbiome to Alleviate Ocular Surface Disease – featuring Anthony St. Leger, PhD

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AMD and Geographic Atrophy - Advancements in Research and Care – featuring Kunal Dansingani, MBBS, MA, FRCOphth and John Ash, PhD

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Introducing StreetLab - Improving Functional Outcomes in Low Vision Rehabilitation – featuring Rakié Cham, PhD

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Everything You Want to Know About Keratoconus – featuring Gaurav Prakash, MD, and Vishal Jhanji, MD, FRCS (Glasgow), FRCOphth, FARVO

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Cerebral Visual Impairment – featuring Ken Nischal, MD, FAAP, FRCOphth

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About the UPMC Vision Institute | UPMC HealthBeat

The UPMC Vision Institute brings together experts from UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology. We strive to deliver cutting-edge care, develop new and better treatments, and improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments.

“Our goal is to prevent vision loss and restore sight,” says José-Alain Sahel, MD, director, UPMC Vision Institute, and chair, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Dr. Sahel leads a team of more than 70 ophthalmologists at UPMC Vision Institute. His team also includes optometrists, residents, nurses, and other health care professionals who are specially trained in eye care. The team cares for the most common and most complex conditions.

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2024 Year in Review: Pioneering the Future of Eye Care

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