Steven L. Bernstein, MD, PhD
Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Vice Chair, Research Chief, Lab of Molecular Research
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Exosome-Based Therapy for Ocular Disease (Rodent and Monkey Models)
This project will run from May 2025 to February 2026.
Site Miner
Brad Young, PhD, MBA
For more information, please contact the UM Ventures, Baltimore team.
Bio
As a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, I see patients with both common and rare ocular disorders, including Genetic-associated diseases. I also consult at UMMC for a wide variety of eye-related disorders. My laboratory interests center on age-related and genetically associated optic nerve diseases, in particular nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), whcih is a stroke of the optic nerve, and the most common cause of sudden optic nerve-related vision loss. My lab developed the mouse, rat (rAION) and primate (pNAION) models of NAION, enabling us to identify the crucial aspects of this disease, and evaluate potential treatments for NAION. We continue to characterize the features of these models, and utilize them to identify potential points of therapeutic interactions. My major laboratory interests are divided into three parts: 1) Neuroprotective approaches to NAION, using both small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. 2) Post-ON infarct recovery, using selective inflammation mediation. 3) Evaluation of the role of stem cells in optic nerve function and optic nerve repair. During the last five years, my laboratory has developed new ways to identify stem cells that may both contribute to normal nerve function, and aid in repair of optic nerve injury.