Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic

Learn more.

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

Kimberly E. Stepien

Associate Professor; Director of the Adult Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic; Co-Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs; Co-Director of Ocular Genetics Program

Melanie SchmittInherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic

Melanie Schmitt

Assistant Professor, Director of the Pediatric Inherited Retinal Degeneration Clinic, Co-Director Ocular Genetics Program

Explore our active clinical trials

Status: Active: Enrollment Closed

STAR

A Randomized, Open Label, Outcomes-Assessor Masked, Prospective, Parallel Controlled Group, Phase 3 Clinical Trial Of Retinal Gene Therapy For Choroideremia Using An Adeno-Associated Viral Vector (AAV2) Encoding Rab Escort Protein 1 (REP1) (STAR).

Read More
Status: Active: Enrollment Closed

NIGHT

Natural History of the Progression of Choroideremia Study (NIGHT). This study will help to gain a better understanding of the progression of choroideremia (CHM) and add to the knowledge base for this rare disease.

Read More