BCTVR Hosts Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Connection Event at UC Irvine

On April 11, 2026, the Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research (BCTVR) at the UC Irvine School of Medicine welcomed researchers, patients, families, and community members for the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Connection event at the Falling Leaves Foundation Building at UC Irvine. The event focused on sharing breakthrough vision research and emerging therapies aimed at preventing and curing blindness. Attendees had the opportunity to learn directly from leading UC Irvine researchers while engaging in meaningful conversations about the future of vision science.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research, advancing treatments, and supporting individuals and families affected by inherited retinal diseases and other blinding conditions. Through Vision Connection events, the organization helps connect the blind and low vision community with researchers and clinicians working toward transformative discoveries in vision care.

The program featured educational presentations from five leading vision researchers and physician-scientists from UC Irvine:

Krzysztof (Kris) Palczewski, PhD

“Ending Hereditary Blindness Through Genome Editing”

Dr. Palczewski discussed how genome editing technologies are creating new possibilities for treating hereditary blindness. His presentation highlighted innovative approaches that could help correct disease-causing genetic mutations and advance the development of future therapies for inherited retinal diseases.

Kimberly Gokoffski, MD, PhD

“Enabling Whole Eye Transplantation with Electric Field Stimulation”

Dr. Gokoffski shared research focused on whole eye transplantation and the role of electric field stimulation in supporting nerve regeneration and visual recovery. Her presentation explored how these emerging technologies may contribute to restoring vision in patients with severe eye injuries or degeneration.

Rui Chen, PhD

“Multipronged Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Inherited Retinal Diseases”

Dr. Chen presented advances in genetic diagnosis and treatment strategies for inherited retinal diseases. His talk emphasized the importance of combining genomic technologies, precision medicine, and translational research to improve patient outcomes and expand access to targeted therapies.

Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD

“Targeting Lipid Metabolism to Prevent Age-Related Vision Loss”

Dr. Skowronska-Krawczyk discussed how changes in lipid metabolism may contribute to age-related vision loss and retinal degeneration. Her research aims to better understand the biological mechanisms behind these diseases while identifying potential therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment.

Elliot Choi, MD, PhD

“Precise Genomic Integration of ABCA4 in Human and Mouse Models of Stargardt Disease”

Dr. Choi presented research focused on Stargardt disease, a genetic retinal disorder that can lead to progressive vision loss. His presentation highlighted efforts to develop precise genomic integration techniques that may support future gene therapies for patients affected by ABCA4-related retinal disease.

Following the presentations, attendees participated in an interactive Q&A session that encouraged thoughtful discussion between researchers, patients, and families. The event concluded with lunch and continued conversations among community members and vision researchers committed to advancing the future of blindness research and patient care.

BCTVR was honored to partner with the Foundation Fighting Blindness for this impactful community event and remains committed to supporting collaborative, translational research that brings innovative vision therapies closer to patients.