Walsh Lab

Dr. Walsh’s profile

Research Overview

The Walsh lab is interested in how the immune system is involved in both normal and pathological processes in the eye, where the concept of immune privilege has driven the study of ocular immunity. We explore the contribution of both local immune cells and systemic immunity on ocular functioning both in homeostasis and during common ocular disease. 

Our research is guided by a fundamental set of questions:

1. Where is the immune system found in the eye?
2. Where do immune signals go from the eye (and are those locations relevant for ocular immune responses)?
3. How does ocular immunity affect common ocular pathologies such as macular degeneration and glaucoma?
4. How can the immune response be altered to augment the beneficial effects and minimize bystander damage to ocular structures?
5. How can ocular autoimmune disease be better monitored and treated by understanding alterations that occur during the disease process?

Through the study of these questions, we aim to improve our basic understanding of ocular immunity and find ways to improve the diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy of blinding ocular diseases.