Congenital Eye Disorder Program

Genetic testing may help you understand the underlying causes of your or your child’s disorder, and help your physicians better treat the disorder or the symptoms it induces.  Genetic testing does not include personal genomics. Results are best interpreted by a clinical geneticist or trained professional.

When a patient with a congenital eye disorder or the parent of a child with a disorder contacts the Congenital Eye Disorder Program, they will be personally assisted through the process coordinating needs such as: appointments, financial assistance, obtaining medical records for the exam, discounted lodging, travel and local information to make their trip to UVA as stress free as possible.  Once here for the appointment, they will meet with the Congenital Eye Disorder Team consultant who will provide information, answer questions, and share other opportunities related to research, clinical trials, data collection or other medical departments. They will then be accompanied to the clinic appointment where they will be examined and their Congenital Eye Disorder Consultant will assist with any suggested follow up care or services by the examining ophthalmologist.

Robert M Grainger, PhD

Dr. Grainger is the W. L. Lyons Brown Professor of Biology and Professor of Ophthalmology. His research interests concern how the eye is formed during embryonic development.  He uses frog embryos as a model for much of his research because of the advantages of studying externally developing embryos for understanding early development in humans. In addition, he oversees research projects on congenital eye diseases, including patients who have aniridia, which affects the gene PAX6.  PAX6 is a gene that is essential for normal eye development.