Erie Retina Research

06/18/2026

**IN THE SPOTLIGHT FROM ACRP 2026**

Patient recruitment and community engagement took center stage at ACRP 2026, highlighting one of the most important challenges in clinical research: how to connect the right patients with the right studies while improving site efficiency and data quality.

We’re proud to see Dr. David Almeida featured in ACRP’s recap for his presentation on **Optimizing Site Resources and Data Quality Through Focused Enrollment Blocks**.

His approach centers on a hyper-focused enrollment strategy designed to rethink how clinical trial sites manage recruitment, resources, and ex*****on.

Read the full ACRP - Association of Clinical Research Professionals article to learn more.

https://acrpnet.org/2026/06/17/patient-recruitment-and-community-engagement-issues-in-the-spotlight-from-acrp-2026?_zs=OhDqe&_zl=mCp25

06/17/2026

Meet Eunice Gil, one of our featured interns at Erie Retina Research.

Eunice is a Neuroscience and Psychology double major at Allegheny College, Class of 2028. Her long-term goal is to attend medical school and pursue a career as a trauma surgeon.

Born in Zulia, Venezuela, and currently living in Delaware, Eunice brings curiosity, dedication, and a strong passion for learning to the ERR team.

Fun fact: she loves coffee and books.

We’re excited to spotlight Eunice and have her as part of Erie Retina Research.nicee

06/11/2026

Most patients tell you how a treatment made them feel. One of our OCU400 patients explained how it works.
Harmon went on YouTube in April and walked through the mechanism of gene rescue himself — then made the economic case for a one-time treatment versus a lifetime of chronic injections. Not our talking points. His.
I think about this a lot. When a patient understands the science well enough to teach it back, it tells you something about the site, not just the patient. It means the conversations were real, the time was taken, and nobody rushed him through informed consent to hit an enrollment number.
He also described the subretinal injection process as a "well-oiled machine" — 15 minutes for the procedure, 30 minutes door-to-door. By the end he was so at ease he asked to be wheeled into the next patient's pre-op room to reassure them.
You can build operational throughput. You can't fake a patient who chooses to become an advocate. That part is earned.

👉 Harmon's full breakdown is on YouTube — search OCU400 patient experience.

"When you have a bad day, give up. Go home and sleep. F*ck it. Try ...

06/09/2026

Meet Akida Nooha, one of our featured interns at Erie Retina Research.

Akida is a Neuroscience major with minors in English and Arabic at Allegheny College, Class of 2027. Her future goal is to become a clinical researcher, bringing curiosity, discipline, and a strong passion for learning into the world of medical research.

Originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Akida also knows five languages and is currently learning her sixth.

We’re excited to have her as part of the ERR team and look forward to seeing all she continues to accomplish.

Akida Bintee Islam

05/24/2026

ERR was proud to see Dr. Almeida represent us at the Bright China Myopia Conference / International Myopia Forum in Nanjing, China.
His talk, “From Genetics to Gene Therapy: Future Therapeutic Frontiers in Pathologic Myopia,” reflected the kind of innovation and collaboration we value in advancing eye care.
Thank you to the organizers for the invitation and the warm welcome.

05/22/2026

Having trouble reading, driving at night, or seeing clearly? Cataracts may be part of the reason.
Erie Retina Research is currently studying a non-surgical approach for vision affected by age-related cataracts. Qualified participants may receive no-cost eye exams, compensation may be available, and your participation may help advance future eye care research.
Participation is voluntary and confidential, and choosing not to participate will not affect your regular eye care.
Learn more at erieretinaresearch.com

05/15/2026

Proud to see members of the Erie Retina Research team contributing to important conversations at Retina World Congress 2026.
Dr. David Almeida presented research exploring AI-assisted surgical precision and objective procedural analysis during subretinal gene therapy.
Mahita Kadmiel also represented Erie Retina Research at the conference, contributing perspectives shaped by years of experience in translational vision science and community-centered clinical research.
Together, these presentations reflect something we strongly believe at ERR:
The future of ophthalmology depends not only on innovation inside the lab or operating room, but also on building stronger bridges between science, technology, clinical research, and real-world patient communities.
Excited for what’s ahead.

05/14/2026

Erie Retina Research was honored to host the Erie Retina Research Summit 2026 in Erie, PA, bringing together leaders in retina, AI in ophthalmology, pediatric eye disease, and ocular genetics for a day of collaborative discovery.

We were especially proud to feature the NRSS Platform with Dimitrios Arhontoulis, MD, PhD, who shared that he was “honored to present the NRSS Platform, participate across sessions spanning retina, AI in ophthalmology, pediatric eye disease, and ocular genetics — and humbled to receive a Certificate of Distinguished Faculty from Erie Retina Research.”

Our gratitude to Dr. Vinit Mahajan and the Stanford team for their partnership, and to Prof. Calvin CP Pang, Prof. Carol Cheung, and Prof. Jason Yam from The Chinese University of Hong Kong for lending their expertise and advancing the conversation around vitreoretinal innovation.

None of this would be possible without the vision of Dr. David Almeida and the entire CASEx team, whose commitment to patient‑centered, community‑based research continues to shape the future of ophthalmology in Erie and beyond.

04/21/2026

Looking for a paid summer internship in healthcare or clinical research?

The Mobile Retina Clinic Internship in Erie is now accepting applications for Summer 2026.

This hands-on opportunity lets you work directly with a community-based retina program—screening for eye disease, educating patients on eye health, and learning what clinical research looks like in the real world.

You’ll be side by side with Dr. Almeida, gaining exposure to ophthalmology while helping expand access to care through mobile clinics.

✔ Paid summer internship
✔ Up to 12 weeks (mid-May through August)
✔ Training provided
✔ 35 hours per week (some weekends)
✔ Only 2 positions available

If you're a student interested in healthcare, medicine, or research—and want something real on your resume, not just theory—this is it.

Priority is given to students from underrepresented backgrounds in healthcare, but applications are open to all (including high school students).

Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/bdefre86

Deadline: April 30, 2026

04/13/2026

Come meet Dr. Yoreh Barak

Looking for a retina specialist in Erie PA or a free eye exam near you?

Erie Retina Research is offering FREE walk-in exams for retina and cataract evaluations on April 15th. No appointment needed—just come in.

You’ll have the chance to be seen by Dr. Yoreh Barak, a senior retina specialist with extensive experience in treating complex eye conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment.

📍 Erie Retina Research
2005 West 8th St, Suite 202, Erie, PA
📞 (814) 200-9152

If you’ve been searching for eye care in Erie PA or thinking about getting your vision checked, this is a simple and accessible way to do it.