Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic

The University of Wisconsin – Madison Inherited Retinal Degeneration (IRD) Clinic was established by UW Health and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to offer expanded services such as specialized examinations and testing, physician consultation, genetic counseling, imaging, lab work and information about ongoing clinical trials and current research about inherited eye diseases.

WHAT ARE INHERITED RETINAL DEGENERATIONS?

Inherited retinal degenerations are a group of rare eye disorders caused by an inherited genetic mutation, and can result in vision loss or blindness.

INHERITED RETINAL DEGENERATIONS INCLUDE:

  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Usher Syndrome
  • Best Disease
  • Rod-Cone Dystrophy
  • Cone Rod Dystrophy
  • Stargardt
  • Albinism
  • Achromatopsia
  • Choroideremia
  • Dominant optic atrophy
  • Leber congenital amaurosis
  • Leber optic neuropathy
  • Bardet Biedl
  • Congenital stationery night blindness
  • X-linked Retinoschisis
  • MELAS and other mitochondrial retinopathy
  • Gyrate Atrophy
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

What can you expect from your inherited retinal degenerations clinic visit?

  • IRD specialist care
  • Longer appointment times
  • Specialized clinical testing
  • Specialized clinical imaging
  • Genetic consultation
  • Clinical trials opportunities
  • Educational opportunities
  • Coping resources and services

Meet Our IRD Specialists

Kimberly E. StepienInherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic, MD

Kimberly E. Stepien, MD

Professor, Co-Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, John W. and Helen Doolittle Professor

Melanie SchmittInherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic, MD

Melanie Schmitt, MD

Assistant Professor, John W. and Helen Doolittle Professor

Explore our active clinical trials

Status: Active: Enrollment Closed

SOLSTICE

A Long-term Follow-up Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Retinal Gene Therapy in Subjects with Choroideremia Treated Previously with Adeno-Associated Viral Vector Encoding Rab Escort Protein-1 (AAV2-REP1) in an Antecedent Study (SOLSTICE)

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Status: Active: Enrollment Closed

Pro-EYS

Rate of Progression in EYS Related Retinal Degeneration (Pro-EYS).

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Status: Active: Enrollment Closed

XOLARIS

To gain a better understanding of disease progression over time in male subjects with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

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