Erie Retina Research

06/11/2026

Most patients tell you how a treatment made them feel. One of our OCU400 patients explained how it works.
Harmon went on YouTube in April and walked through the mechanism of gene rescue himself — then made the economic case for a one-time treatment versus a lifetime of chronic injections. Not our talking points. His.
I think about this a lot. When a patient understands the science well enough to teach it back, it tells you something about the site, not just the patient. It means the conversations were real, the time was taken, and nobody rushed him through informed consent to hit an enrollment number.
He also described the subretinal injection process as a "well-oiled machine" — 15 minutes for the procedure, 30 minutes door-to-door. By the end he was so at ease he asked to be wheeled into the next patient's pre-op room to reassure them.
You can build operational throughput. You can't fake a patient who chooses to become an advocate. That part is earned.

👉 Harmon's full breakdown is on YouTube — search OCU400 patient experience.

"When you have a bad day, give up. Go home and sleep. F*ck it. Try ...

06/09/2026

Meet Akida Nooha, one of our featured interns at Erie Retina Research.

Akida is a Neuroscience major with minors in English and Arabic at Allegheny College, Class of 2027. Her future goal is to become a clinical researcher, bringing curiosity, discipline, and a strong passion for learning into the world of medical research.

Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Akida also knows five languages and is currently learning her sixth.

We’re excited to have her as part of the ERR team and look forward to seeing all she continues to accomplish.

Akida Bintee Islam

05/24/2026

ERR was proud to see Dr. Almeida represent us at the Bright China Myopia Conference / International Myopia Forum in Nanjing, China.
His talk, “From Genetics to Gene Therapy: Future Therapeutic Frontiers in Pathologic Myopia,” reflected the kind of innovation and collaboration we value in advancing eye care.
Thank you to the organizers for the invitation and the warm welcome.

05/22/2026

Having trouble reading, driving at night, or seeing clearly? Cataracts may be part of the reason.
Erie Retina Research is currently studying a non-surgical approach for vision affected by age-related cataracts. Qualified participants may receive no-cost eye exams, compensation may be available, and your participation may help advance future eye care research.
Participation is voluntary and confidential, and choosing not to participate will not affect your regular eye care.
Learn more at erieretinaresearch.com

05/15/2026

Proud to see members of the Erie Retina Research team contributing to important conversations at Retina World Congress 2026.
Dr. David Almeida presented research exploring AI-assisted surgical precision and objective procedural analysis during subretinal gene therapy.
Mahita Kadmiel also represented Erie Retina Research at the conference, contributing perspectives shaped by years of experience in translational vision science and community-centered clinical research.
Together, these presentations reflect something we strongly believe at ERR:
The future of ophthalmology depends not only on innovation inside the lab or operating room, but also on building stronger bridges between science, technology, clinical research, and real-world patient communities.
Excited for what’s ahead.

05/14/2026

Erie Retina Research was honored to host the Erie Retina Research Summit 2026 in Erie, PA, bringing together leaders in retina, AI in ophthalmology, pediatric eye disease, and ocular genetics for a day of collaborative discovery.

We were especially proud to feature the NRSS Platform with Dimitrios Arhontoulis, MD, PhD, who shared that he was “honored to present the NRSS Platform, participate across sessions spanning retina, AI in ophthalmology, pediatric eye disease, and ocular genetics — and humbled to receive a Certificate of Distinguished Faculty from Erie Retina Research.”

Our gratitude to Dr. Vinit Mahajan and the Stanford team for their partnership, and to Prof. Calvin CP Pang, Prof. Carol Cheung, and Prof. Jason Yam from The Chinese University of Hong Kong for lending their expertise and advancing the conversation around vitreoretinal innovation.

None of this would be possible without the vision of Dr. David Almeida and the entire CASEx team, whose commitment to patient‑centered, community‑based research continues to shape the future of ophthalmology in Erie and beyond.

04/21/2026

Looking for a paid summer internship in healthcare or clinical research?

The Mobile Retina Clinic Internship in Erie is now accepting applications for Summer 2026.

This hands-on opportunity lets you work directly with a community-based retina program—screening for eye disease, educating patients on eye health, and learning what clinical research looks like in the real world.

You’ll be side by side with Dr. Almeida, gaining exposure to ophthalmology while helping expand access to care through mobile clinics.

✔ Paid summer internship
✔ Up to 12 weeks (mid-May through August)
✔ Training provided
✔ 35 hours per week (some weekends)
✔ Only 2 positions available

If you're a student interested in healthcare, medicine, or research—and want something real on your resume, not just theory—this is it.

Priority is given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare, but applications are open to all (including high school students).

Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/bdefre86

Deadline: April 30, 2026

04/13/2026

Come meet Dr. Yoreh Barak

Looking for a retina specialist in Erie PA or a free eye exam near you?

Erie Retina Research is offering FREE walk-in exams for retina and cataract evaluations on April 15th. No appointment needed—just come in.

You’ll have the chance to be seen by Dr. Yoreh Barak, a senior retina specialist with extensive experience in treating complex eye conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment.

📍 Erie Retina Research
2005 West 8th St, Suite 202, Erie, PA
📞 (814) 200-9152

If you’ve been searching for eye care in Erie PA or thinking about getting your vision checked, this is a simple and accessible way to do it.

04/02/2026

Something big is happening — and I want to share it with you.

This week at Erie Retina Research, we sat down with the team at Nanoscope Therapeutics who are working on something that, just a few years ago, would have sounded like science fiction: restoring vision to people who have lost it.

The technology is called optogenetics. Without getting too technical — it works by reawakening cells in the eye that stopped responding to light. Not slowing down vision loss. Not managing it. Actually bringing light back.

We're not talking about a distant future. Clinical trials are happening now. Patients are enrolling. Results are coming in.

I went into medicine because I refused to accept "there's nothing more we can do" as a final answer. That's why Erie is partnering with Therapeutics Inc — because this is the kind of progress that changes lives.

Imagine seeing your child's face clearly again after years of darkness. That's what we're working toward.

If you or someone you love is living with a retinal condition, follow our page and stay close. The landscape is changing faster than most people know — and I want you to be part of that conversation.

The train is leaving. I'm glad you're on it with us. 🚂