Vision Center at CHLA
The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles is committed to advancing research for pediatric eye diseases and new solutions for the children affected by them.
Basic research in the laboratory and clinical research involving human subjects carry the same purpose: to test scientific ideas or potential treatments. Not all research will help individual patients. But with each question we ask, we seek answers that will create the next step in understanding and addressing these complex diseases.
This is yet another illustration of the excellence that The Vision Center demonstrates by providing innovative and state-of-the-art technology, equipment, staff, and doctors committed to treating children’s devastating eye diseases and providing the best quality of life.
Areas of Major Research
The Retina Institute has led the development of new knowledge about retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and other disorders and new solutions for the children affected by them. In addition to leading technological advancements to diagnose and treat patients, we conduct clinical studies to improve proper care. This team has ultimately established the new gold standard in treating devastating retinal diseases and preventing blindness in children.
The Cornea Institute pursues an energetic research agenda designed to benefit children with a wide range of corneal disorders and advance the state of knowledge in this field. Among our investigations, we are exploring the use of adult corneal and refractive techniques in the treatment of anisometropia (unequal refractive power) and corneal scarring in children, the epidemiology of refractive disorders in children, and anterior segment development. In addition, we have a keen interest in the development of new technologies for diagnosis and treatment.
The Eye Birth Defects Institute has led to the development of new knowledge about optic nerve hypoplasia, hypopituitarism, septo-optic dysplasia and other epidemic conditions. We are conducting the largest clinical study in the world to determine outcomes and risk factors involved with optic nerve hypoplasia. With more than 200 subjects enrolled, we remain optimistic about the insights we will discover that may lead to improved treatments for these complex diseases.
The Orbit & Eye Movement Institute is dedicated to studying the most effective methods for detecting ocular disease in young children, including such conditions as stabismus, exotropia, and diplopia. We collaborate with our colleagues in other Vision Center Institutes to further the cause of research, refine surgical techniques and discover new tools for diagnosis and treatment.
The Vision Development Institute is dedicated to helping children with conditions that affect the normal development of vision, including strabismus (eye misalignment), amblyopia (decreased vision in one eye, sometimes called "lazy eye") and hypermetropia (far-sightedness). In particular, we are interested in creating new knowledge about the interactions between both eyes at the level of the brain’s visual areas and in finding better ways to recognize which children are at greatest risk for future vision problems.
The Eye Technology Institute has been a leader in discovering new advances in ophthalmic medical equipment for several years. With holding several patents throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, we plan to expand our reach to a global level to improve treatments for visual complex diseases. Our mission doesn’t stop there; we are also in collaboration with the world-renowned Jet Propulsion Laboratory and The California Institute of Technology to guarantee we endow the utmost reliable resources possible and unite with award winning technology specialists and researchers.
The Vision Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles »