W. Daniel Stamer, PhD

Associate Head for Vision Research
Ophthalmology and Vision Science

Associate Professor
Ophthalmology and Vision Science
Pharmacology
College of Medicine

Research Activities

Dr. Stamer studies the disease of glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, affecting nearly 3 million people (70 million Worldwide). The primary risk factor for developing glaucoma is ocular hypertension (elevated intraocular pressure, IOP). Elevated IOP is a function of pathology of decreased drainage of aqueous humor from the conventional outflow pathway. Controlling IOP in glaucoma patients, whether or not they have ocular hypertension, is important because results from large clinical trials demonstrate that significant, sustained IOP reduction slows or halts vision loss. Therefore, finding new, more effective ways to pharmacologically control IOP is a central goal the Stamer Laboratory.

Research Approach

Using molecular, cellular and organ-based model systems, Dr. Stamer seeks to identify and validate novel drug targets in the human conventional outflow pathway for the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

The Glaucoma Research Laboratory

The Glaucoma Research Laboratory is a state-of-the art biomedical research facility that was established thanks to the generosity of Arizona Lions Club organizations and other concerned community members. Presently working in the laboratory are two research specialists and five graduate students.

The National Eye Institute, Research to Prevent Blindness Foundation, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Inc. and local community members currently fund the Glaucoma Research Laboratory.