retina care improving through research

In the ever-expanding field of retina care, vitreoretinal specialist and surgeon Dr. Shalesh Kaushal is excited that the Retina Specialty Institute continues to play a key role in furthering medical advances through its participation in clinical trials and giving patients access to the most advanced care.

A clinician scientist with a strong academic background, Dr. Kaushal takes great pride in being involved in cutting-edge clinical trials to treat many conditions of retinal disease. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., and his Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His work as head of the retina division at the University of Florida in Gainesville has helped cultivate his passion for solving problems for both his patients and the scientific community. As result, he has earned a reputation as being a selfless visionary and compassionate practitioner.

As an avid researcher, Dr. Kaushal has participated in numerous clinical trials involving revolutionary breakthroughs in retina care such as gene therapy, stem cell treatment, and new drugs. And he is bringing these breakthroughs to Retina Specialty Institute’s Villages office, which is conveniently located in the Sharon Morse building Suite 532.

High on the list of innovations is the use of stem cells. “There are many types of stem cells, but there are two basic kinds that we look at. There are cells that can rejuvenate tissue and then there are types that can actually regenerate and replace cells that are lost through normal wear and tear, injury, or disease,” says Dr. Kaushal. “We want to bring those types of trials to The Villages.”

The Retina Specialty Institute is also highly involved in researching the use of nutraceuticals to treat a variety of visionthreatening diseases, especially within his field of specialty: inherited retinal and macular diseases like retinitis pigmentosa

(RP) and Stargardt disease as well as age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). “Instead of patients receiving injections to treat dry macular degeneration, we are hoping to find oral medications to mediate the disease,” he says. “We’re bringing exciting research to Central Florida.”

As a FDA-approved clinical trial study center, Retina Specialty Institute is known widely among major pharmaceutical companies, peers, and patients for delivering continual peak performance. The goal is to use the research to provide patients with better results while being less intrusive.

Aside from his contributions and active involvement in clinical research, Dr. Kaushal carries a real passion for charity — as proven by his many diligent hours caring for and treating underserved populations in local communities as well as abroad.

Dr. Kaushal also enjoys the sacred relationship between doctor and patient and makes it a point to communicate in a way that is both clear and understandable. He considers it a great honor to provide quality patient care that not only restores sight and improves vision but also increases quality of life.

The surgeons of Retina Specialty Institute are lending shape to the unknown, forging the next generation of knowledge and technology that help preserve the gift of sight from retina diseases like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.