Clinical insights inform retina research to improve patient care and quality of life

As a physician-scientist, Amir Hajrasouliha, MD, is dedicated to advancing treatment for eye diseases that deprive people of their ability to see the world. Tackling debilitating conditions like macular degeneration, inherited retinal diseases and diabetic retinopathy through the lens of both clinician and researcher uncovers opportunities for new therapies and improved quality of life for patients.

“I find it extremely rewarding to bridge the gap between clinical practice and research, translating lab discoveries into patient care,” Dr. Hajrasouliha said. “By integrating clinical insights with basic science, I can directly impact patient outcomes, which makes my work deeply fulfilling.”

Driven by a fascination with the eye and its complexities, Dr. Hajrasouliha decided to pursue ocular immunology at Harvard Medical School. He then completed residency in Louisville and a surgical vitreoretinal fellowship in Chicago before joining IU School of Medicine in 2017. His clinical practice, which focuses on the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases, inspires his research to find better treatments for complex retinal disorders.

“End-stage diseases like macular degeneration and retinal dystrophies are usually not treatable,” said Dr. Hajrasouliha, director of the Department of Ophthalmology’s clinical research program. “We are getting insight into how to slow disease progression with new treatments in the clinic, but the end stages are still an important area of research with great need.”

A significant portion of Dr. Hajrasouliha’s current research targets the degeneration and loss of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Performing a critical function, these cells transform light into electrical signals processed by the brain as visual images. Macular degeneration and other retinal diseases can cause photoreceptor cell degeneration, resulting in impaired vision and eventual blindness. Supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Hajrasouliha is collaborating with Purdue University researcher Afshin Izadian, PhD, to develop an “artificial retina” to combat photoreceptor cell loss. The novel neurosensory device, which the team has studied in the laboratory for several years, uses light-to-electric conversion nanoparticles to interface with neurons called retinal ganglion cells. The innovative technology is engineered to restore vision for patients experiencing photoreceptor cell loss.

“This research has the potential to revolutionize treatment options for patients with retinal dystrophy and macular degeneration,” said Dr. Hajrasouliha, who earned an additional $350,000 in research support as the recipient of the prestigious Falk Trust Catalyst Award.

“Our next steps are to optimize the formulation and expand our animal studies to gather comprehensive data on efficacy and long-term outcomes.”

In addition to his research with nanotechnology, Dr. Hajrasouliha is leading a clinical trial at Indiana University for a new treatment for Stargardt disease. A genetic form of macular degeneration, this condition leads to progressive vision loss, particularly in children and young adults. The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a modified form of Vitamin A to treat the disease. In research related to diabetes, Dr. Hajrasouliha is a co-investigator with ophthalmology department colleague Ashay Bhatwadekar, PhD, RPh, FARVO, on an NIH-funded award aimed at identifying biomarkers that can indicate the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Resulting in vision loss and potential blindness in patients with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy damages blood vessels in the retina.

“The most gratifying part for me as a clinician is working with patients who have really drastic problems in their everyday life and being able to help them,” Dr. Hajrasouliha said. “There is no description to explain the joy of restoring vision in someone who is losing their sight.”