Anthony J. Aldave, M.D.

Aldave leads the Cornea Genetics Laboratory at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, where his team investigates the genetic causes of corneal dystrophies and explores therapeutic strategies that restore corneal function. He and his collaborators have identified the genetic basis of numerous inherited disorders of the cornea and uncovered how specific mutations lead to disease. 

His clinical experience performing more than 2,500 corneal transplants directly informs his translational work, which targets the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases like congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD). 

Aldave is principal investigator of a Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating AAV8-mediated gene therapy for CHED, one of eight studies in the NIH Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium. This first-in-kind therapy in ophthalmology has received both Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA.  In addition, Aldave has served as site principal investigator for multiple clinical trials focused on the genetics and treatment of corneal endothelial dystrophies.

He has also leads efforts to expand and characterize corneal endothelial cells in vitro, work that supports the development of scalable cell-based treatments for global corneal donor shortages.