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Aug 07, 2025 | UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Shine the Light
Shingles complications threatens patient's vision and life
Bill Rowcliffe says he owes not just his vision, but also his life to his ophthalmology team at UC Irvine. Last summer, doctors at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute found an inflammation in his optic nerve that required a trip to the emergency room.
Aug 06, 2025 | Science News
This snail may hold a secret to human eye regeneration
The golden apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) possesses camera‑type eyes that are anatomically and genetically similar to human eyes and can fully regenerate a complete eye—including lens, retina, and optic nerve—within approximately 28 days following amputation. Scientists have used CRISPR–Cas9 to explore the role of key genes like pax6 in this process, and by studying gene activity during snail eye regeneration, are identifying candidates that might one day enable therapeutic strategies to repair or regrow human eye tissue.
Jul 24, 2025 | UCI Health Live Well Magazine
Eating right for better sight
Maintaining good vision isn't just about annual exams — what we eat plays a powerful role in protecting our eyes throughout our lives. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet can lower the risk for common age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts and dry eyes.
Jul 15, 2025 | UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Shine the Light
New research hub will open doors to medical breakthroughs
UC Irvine researchers seeking cures to blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma have a new reason to celebrate. The highly anticipated Falling Leaves Foundation Medical Innovation Building is expected to officially open its doors this spring, ushering in a new era of transformational vision research.
Jul 11, 2025 | UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Shine the Light
Message from The Chair - Spring Celebrations
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. As our institution has grown in international recognition and acclaim, so has our department, which was founded when the Irvine campus was just 10 years old.
Jul 10, 2025 | UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Shine the Light
Award supports researcher’s hunt to find a genetic cure for glaucoma
Gulab Zode, PhD, dreams of the day when glaucoma can be cured with a single shot. Support from the Research to Prevent Blindness foundation brings him a step closer to that day.
Jul 08, 2025 | UCI Health
Annabelle Storch receives Young Optometrist Award from American Optometric Association
UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute optometrist Annabelle Storch, OD, has been recognized with The American Optometric Association’s (AOA) Young Optometrist Award. Dr. Storch received the honor because of her dedication to pediatric eye care advocacy and education
Jun 24, 2025 | WebMD
Making the Most of Side Vision: Low Vision Therapy for AMD
Nilima Tanna, a low-vision occupational therapist at the University of California, Irvine’s Health's Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, spoke with WebMD about low-vision rehabilitation therapy and how it helps people with AMD maximize their remaining peripheral vision.
May 27, 2025 | UCI Health Live Well Magazine
Envisioning the future of eye care
The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute is already one of the busiest clinical spaces at UCI Health. Its director, Dr. Baruch Kuppermann, sees more growth ahead to meet the increased need for specialized vision care.
May 14, 2025 | UCI School of Medicine
Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, Awarded Grant from BrightFocus Foundation’s National Glaucoma Research Program
BrightFocus Foundation’s National Glaucoma Research program has awarded a two-year, $182,000 research grant to Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD, an associate professor of physiology & biophysics and ophthalmology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, to investigate the cumulative role of repeated intraocular pressure elevations in epigenetic reprogramming and aging.