José Alain Sahel, MD, is a distinguished professor, eye and ear foundation professor, and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also the director of the UPMC Vision Institute. Dr. Sahel is a leading expert in retinal diseases and vision restoration research and is a pioneer in optogenetic vision restoration. This therapeutic technique uses genetically modified cells in the retina to express light-sensitive proteins and could help patients who are blind or visually impaired because of a genetic defect. His research has also helped to develop several other interventions for vision impairment—including stem cell implantation, gene therapy, innovative pharmacologic approaches, and the artificial retina.

Dr. Sahel was the keynote speaker at the 33rd Biennial Center for Visual Science Symposium at the University of Rochester. He joins John Foxe, PhD, for this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives.