Jennifer R. Chao, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Chao is an assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.  She is a clinician scientist, who specializes in diseases of the retina, vitreous, and macula.

Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Chao is dedicated to bringing the highest quality of care to her patients by offering the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment options. She enjoys partnering with her patients in their care, listening to them, and keeping them informed of the latest in current research regarding challenging retinal diseases.

Scope Of Care
Dr. Chao offers both medical and surgical treatments for vitreoretinal diseases. She has a particular interest in patients with hereditary retinal degenerations.

Personal Interests
Spending time with her family, hiking, traveling and playing the violin.

Clinical Interests
Age-related macular degeneration; hereditary retinal degenerations (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa); retinal detachments and tears; diabetic retinopathy; macular holes, puckers and edema; myopic macular degeneration; central serous retinopathy; endophthalmitis; and retinal vascular occlusive disease.

Research Interests
Dr. Chao’s research group studies inherited retinal degenerations and examines potential treatment modalities. Specific projects include the generation of stem cells from persons with inherited retinal degenerations (called induced pluripotent stem cells or IPSCs), generating retinal cells from these IPSCs, and studying the "diseased" retinal cells in culture. Ultimately, the group is focused on discovering new drug therapeutics that could benefit those affected by inherited retinal degenerations.

Teaching Interests
She enjoys teaching residents in clinic, in the operating room, and in her lab. She also enjoys speaking with community groups and sharing her knowledge of current advances in eye disease treatment. Undergraduates also participate in research in Dr. Chao’s lab.

Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English

Expertise
Eye Care (Ophthalmology)