Vision Science Research Seminar Series lecture: Retinal Consequences of Sustained Eye Growth in Myopia

Biography

Alexandra Benavente is a Research Professor and Faculty Research Liaison at SUNY College of Optometry, where she leads a federally and industry-funded research laboratory investigating the mechanisms underlying myopia and its associated blinding complications. Dr. Benavente has held leadership and scientific committee roles at ARVO, the American Academy of Optometry, and the International Myopia Conference. Her contributions to myopia research have been recognized with several awards, including the Zeiss Young Scientist Award in Myopia Research /Josh Walman Memorial Lecture and the American Academy of Optometry Career Development Award. She is a Silver Fellow of ARVO and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has authored over 35 peer-reviewed publications, two book chapters, and more than 100 conference abstracts.

Abstract

Myopia is increasingly common and can lead to associated ocular conditions and visual impairment, yet the retinal consequences of sustained myopic growth remain incompletely understood. This talk will summarize our recent work examining how prolonged retinal defocus and eye growth alter retinal structure and function. In particular, how myopic growth affects both the inner and outer retina, from the neurovascular unit to the choroid, and how these effects evolve as myopia is sustained over time. Together, our findings frame myopia as a condition involving progressive retinal remodeling with important implications for long-term visual health.