Retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are among the major causes of vision loss and blindness in humans. Our laboratory employs a combination of retinal biology and ocular imaging technologies across various animal models including mice, monkeys, and human patients. By developing optically-activated drug delivery systems, optogenetic disease models, and gene editing strategies, we hope to better understand the pathophysiology of retinal disorders, and discover novel therapies for our patients.

As a clinician-scientist, Dr. Yiu spends part of his time providing medical and surgical treatment for patients with retinal diseases, and the rest of his efforts leading our innovative translational research program. Our lab is a multidisciplinary group that collaborates with retinal biologists, biomedical engineers, chemists, veterinarians, and physicians across the UC Davis campus and at other institutions, utilizing ophthalmic imaging, nanotechnology, and genome engineering as our tools. Dr. Yiu has received research support from the National Eye Institute, the E Matilda Ziegler Foundation, Alcon Research Institute, and the ARVO Foundation.