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Rachel Kuchtey

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (MPB)
Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology (VCMB)
Vanderbilt Vision Research Center (VVRC)


– Our discovery of ADAMTS10 causing open angle glaucoma in dogs led us to form the microfibril hypothesis of glaucoma. – We use a variety of animal models, including mice, pigs and zebrafish to investigate the mechanisms of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. – We use state-of-art imaging and electrophysiology technology, such as optical coherence tomography, electroretinogram, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and polarized light microscopy to study mechanisms of optic nerve damage at the cellular and tissue levels.

– Our discovery of ADAMTS10 causing open angle glaucoma in dogs led us to form the microfibril hypothesis of glaucoma. – We use a variety of animal models, including mice, pigs and zebrafish to investigate the mechanisms of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. – We use state-of-art imaging and electrophysiology technology, such as optical coherence tomography, electroretinogram, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and polarized light microscopy to study mechanisms of optic nerve damage at the cellular and tissue levels.

Keywords: glaucoma , microfibril , animal models , retinal ganglion cells , intraocular pressure , extracellular matrix

Research Area: Imaging , Visual Sciences , Developmental Neuroscience