Vision Research at UAB Seminar Series - Safal Khanal, PhD

The mechanistic basis of myopia: Insights from retinal physiology 

By: Dr. Safal Khanal, OD, PhD, FAAO. Dr. Khanal is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Optometry and Vision Science in the School of Optometry. 

Here is a brief description of his research interests (from the UABSO website):

Dr. Khanal’s laboratory conducts basic, clinical, and translational research related to myopia (short sight) mechanisms and treatment. His current research interests lie in understanding the mechanistic basis of emmetropisation, eye growth regulation, and refractive development, through a combination of imaging, electrophysiology, and molecular techniques in animal models and humans. The overall goal is to inform how the eye detects the sign of defocus and regulates its growth and what causes this regulatory mechanism to malfunction leading to the genesis of refractive errors like myopia in children. Dr. Khanal aims to use the knowledge gained to devise novel, effective strategies (optical, pharmacological, and behavioral) targeted at preventing the onset and slowing the progression of myopia in children.