LOS ANGELES — CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center and Dr. Rohit Varma have partnered to form the new Southern California Eyecare and Vision Research Institute.
The institute will “provide specialized and comprehensive eye care and cutting edge therapies to the diverse communities in Southern California” and “conduct world class research in collaboration with CHA Health Systems’s leading edge stem cell research platform,” according to a press release from the medical center, part of CHA Health Systems.
The institute “will lead vision research in diverse communities and vulnerable populations — using big data and artificial intelligence to develop novel therapies, stem cell and regenerative therapies both in the U.S. and overseas — to ultimately improve patients’ eye health,” according to the release.
“Our eye institute will make rapid advances in science and technology — from stem cells to novel glaucoma devices to artificial retinas,” said Dr. Rohit Varma. “As a team, we’ll take bold steps forward to better understand, prevent, and create innovative treatments to manage diseases that lead to vision loss and blindness, making hope visible for our patients through innovative research and evidence-based eye care. Our innovative research and eye care will focus on developing new ways to change the lives of our patients by ending vision loss and blindness.”
Varma, a physician-scientist, is recognized in the areas of glaucoma and the epidemiology of eye diseases. He is an expert on changes in the optic nerve in glaucoma and is also studying new imaging techniques in the early diagnosis of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. His primary research focuses on epidemiologic studies of eye disease in children and aging populations.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Varma join the team,” said Robert Allen, CHA HPMC president and CEO. “Our corporate, CHA Health Systems have pioneered the stem cell research and are renowned for CHA Stem Cell Institute Research — SCEVRI will fulfill the commitment to provide the highest quality eye care to the communities.”