Research

The Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary maintains a tradition of excellence in collaborative and interdisciplinary vision science research and is dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing blinding eye disease.

Ranked #7

in US Ophthalmology Departments for NIH Funding, with faculty ranked #7, #11, and #18 in Individual NIH Funding Nationwide.

Rankings from The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

52 Active Grants

NEI Core Grant

The Department’s National Eye Institute Core Grant for Vision Research is the second-longest, continually funded NEI core grant in the nation – first awarded in 1978.

Our research contributes to a greater understanding of the visual process and the causes of vision loss. Investigations are laboratory- and patient -based, ranging from studies of single molecules and their role in the visual process to evaluations of rehabilitation therapy for people living with impaired vision. The basic sciences represented in the Department include cell and molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, electrophysiology, immunology, microbiology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, pharmacology, genomics, physics, physiology and psychophysics. Vision research is supported by many sponsored programs, including a Core Grant for Vision Research and a Clinician Scientist Training Grant both from the National Eye Institute.

Research Faculty

Research Programs

UIC K-12/ICVS Development Program

To narrow the gap between basic research and its application, we provide a supportive environment and mentored learning experience for clinician vision scientists

Learn more