Pasadena Doheny Eye Institute Researcher Awarded Prestigious Catalyst Award for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research

Kaustabh Ghosh, PhD, Principal Investigator at Doheny Eye Institute and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology in the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology

Dr. Kaustabh Ghosh, a researcher at Doheny Eye Institute in Pasadena, has been awarded the prestigious Catalyst Award for Innovative Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPD) and the International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF). The award includes a $300,000 grant to support Ghosh’s research.

AMD is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans, and there is currently no cure.

Ghosh, an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA and Principal Investigator at Doheny Eye Institute, has been researching early AMD. He has been focusing on vascular loss in the eye, a departure from the traditional focus on genetic or biochemical cues in the disease.

AMD, which currently lacks effective treatments, causes significant degeneration of blood vessels in the outer retinal tissue, known as the choroid, in its early stages. Ghosh is investigating the role of vascular stiffness in the progression of AMD, a perspective inspired by research into non-ocular diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis.

“We appreciate the recognition and support from the Catalyst Award,” Ghosh said. “This award highlights the potential of our approach in addressing AMD.”

For further information about the research at Doheny Eye Institute, visit www.doheny.org.