Research Overview

Amblyopia (“lazy eye”) is a neurodevelopmental disorder accounting for visual impairment among a significant number of children and adults. Current standards in therapy target occlusion (patching) or penalization (cycloplegia) of the better-seeing eye, but these therapies carry major limitations in efficacy and adherence. Dr. Gaier is a physician-scientist who conducts basic science research related to amblyopia using a mouse model. By elucidating and leveraging the mechanisms that underlie visual, experience-dependent synaptic changes in the brain, Dr. Gaier’s research efforts are aimed at advancing our understanding of and developing new strategies to treat amblyopia.

As a National Eye Institute K08 Mentored Clinician-Scientist Career Development Awardee, Dr. Gaier conducts research in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Bear, PhD, at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to basic science, Dr. Gaier conducts multiple clinical research projects in ophthalmology, which include multiple published reports and primary articles using advance ocular imaging technologies to study the optic nerve in a number of neuro-ophthalmic conditions.

Research Background

Dr. Gaier received his BA from Ithaca College in Psychology/Neuroscience and his PhD (in Neuroscience) and MD from the University of Connecticut before completing two fellowships at Harvard Medical School affiliates—in Neuro-Ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear and in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at Boston Children’s Hospital. His clinical interests and expertise concern diseases involving any aspect of the afferent and efferent visual pathways, including but not limited to optic nerve disorders, intracranial disease, and ocular motility disturbances. As a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist, he is a member of a small but increasingly important subset of consultants across the continent with subspecialty training in both pediatric ophthalmology (including surgical training in strabismus [to correct eye misalignment]) and neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Gaier is actively involved in teaching clinical trainees—including medical students, residents, and fellows in the clinic and operating room. He serves as the Ophthalmology Residency Site Director at Boston Children’s Hospital, overseeing residents from Harvard Medical School and Boston University Medical School.

Education

Undergraduate School

Ithaca College
2005 Ithaca NY

Graduate School

University of Connecticut
2013 Farmington CT

Medical School

University of Connecticut
2013 Farmington CT

Internship

Mt. Auburn Hospital
2014 Cambridge MA

Residency

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
2017 Boston MA

Fellowship

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
2018 Boston MA

Fellowship

Boston Children's Hospital
2019 Boston MA

Media

Caregiver Profile

Meet Dr. Eric Gaier

Publications

  1. Differential impacts of strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia on the mesoscale functional organization of the human visual cortex. J Neurosci. 2025 Jan 17. View Abstract
  2. Cortical responses to conflicting binocular stimuli in mouse primary visual cortex. bioRxiv. 2025 Jan 01. View Abstract
  3. Ocular neuromyotonia after peribulbar block. J AAPOS. 2024 Dec 31; 104096. View Abstract
  4. Acquired torticollis due to an ocular surface foreign body. J AAPOS. 2024 Dec 31; 104097. View Abstract
  5. Using the visual cliff and pole descent assays to detect binocular disruption in mice. bioRxiv. 2024 Sep 25. View Abstract
  6. Case 25-2024: A 12-Year-Old Boy with Autism and Decreased Vision. N Engl J Med. 2024 Aug 15; 391(7):641-650. View Abstract
  7. Spontaneous recovery from amblyopia following fellow eye vision loss: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. J AAPOS. 2024 08; 28(4):103971. View Abstract
  8. Optic Nerve T2 Signal Intensity and Caliber Reflect Clinical Severity in Genetic Optic Atrophy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Jun 17. View Abstract
  9. Long-term visual outcomes in spasmus nutans. BMC Ophthalmol. 2024 Jun 12; 24(1):253. View Abstract
  10. Decreased scene-selective activity within the posterior intraparietal cortex in amblyopic adults. bioRxiv. 2024 Jun 08. View Abstract
  11. Vision Loss and Difficulty Walking in a Pediatric Sexual Assault Victim. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Sep 01; 44(3):e498-e499. View Abstract
  12. Ocular lichen planus as a cause of recurrent restrictive strabismus. J AAPOS. 2024 Jun; 28(3):103920. View Abstract
  13. Aberrant regeneration of accommodation in pediatric inferior division oculomotor palsy. J AAPOS. 2024 Jun; 28(3):103917. View Abstract
  14. Reply: Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy and COVID-19. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Dec 01; 44(4):e536. View Abstract
  15. Reply: SARS-CoV-2-Related Cranial Nerve-6 Palsy Should Not Be Confused With Orbital Myositis Affecting the Lateral Rectus Muscle. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Dec 01; 44(4):e534-e535. View Abstract
  16. Artificial Intelligence to Differentiate Pediatric Pseudopapilledema and True Papilledema on Fundus Photographs. Ophthalmol Sci. 2024 Jul-Aug; 4(4):100496. View Abstract
  17. Using high-resolution functional MRI to differentiate impacts of strabismic and anisometropic amblyopia on evoked ocular dominance activity in humans. bioRxiv. 2024 Feb 13. View Abstract
  18. Reply. J AAPOS. 2024 02; 28(1):103825. View Abstract
  19. Cauterization-mediated restriction from penetrating orbital trauma. J AAPOS. 2024 02; 28(1):103805. View Abstract
  20. Comments on: Partial Recovery of Amblyopia After Fellow Eye Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: Response. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Mar 01; 44(1):e210-e211. View Abstract
  21. Reply. Ophthalmology. 2024 Jan; 131(1):e5. View Abstract
  22. Amblyopia treatment outcomes in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. J AAPOS. 2023 10; 27(5):276.e1-276.e8. View Abstract
  23. Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy and COVID-19: A Recurrent Case in a 7-Month-Old Child and Analysis of Reported Cases. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 Aug 30. View Abstract
  24. Isolated Sixth Nerve Palsy and COVID-19: A Recurrent Case in a 7-Month-Old Child and Analysis of Reported Cases. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 09 01; 44(3):301-307. View Abstract
  25. Factors associated with visual acuity improvement with a binocular digital therapeutic for amblyopia. J AAPOS. 2023 10; 27(5):300-303. View Abstract
  26. Durable recovery from amblyopia with donepezil. Sci Rep. 2023 06 22; 13(1):10161. View Abstract
  27. Neuro-ophthalmic Complications in Pediatric Leukemia. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 Dec 01; 43(4):520-524. View Abstract
  28. Recovery from Amblyopia in Adulthood: A Meta-Analysis. medRxiv. 2023 May 28. View Abstract
  29. Eye Swelling and Decreased Vision in a Patient With Autism. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 06 01; 43(2):e63. View Abstract
  30. Outcomes of Zone 3 Open Globe Injuries by Wound Extent: Subcategorization of Zone 3 Injuries Segregates Visual and Anatomic Outcomes. Ophthalmology. 2023 04; 130(4):379-386. View Abstract
  31. Membrane Frizzled-Related Protein-Related Disease Mimicking Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Mar 01; 44(1):e26-e28. View Abstract
  32. Periodic Trends in Internet Searches for Ocular Symptoms in the US. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2023 08; 30(4):352-357. View Abstract
  33. Metaplasticity: a key to visual recovery from amblyopia in adulthood? Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov 01; 33(6):512-518. View Abstract
  34. Reply. Ophthalmology. 2022 Oct; 129(10):e152-e153. View Abstract
  35. Prevalence and Characteristics of Cytomegalovirus Ocular Disease in Children: A Multi-Center Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2022; 16:2209-2217. View Abstract
  36. Partial Recovery of Amblyopia After Fellow Eye Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 03 01; 43(1):76-81. View Abstract
  37. Optic Perineuritis Associated With Cryptococcal Meningitis Presenting With a "Hot Orbit" in a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 06 01; 42(2):272-277. View Abstract
  38. Peripapillary Choroidal Vascularity and Visual Correlates in Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography. Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne). 2022; 2. View Abstract
  39. Detection of Choroidal Hypoperfusion in Giant Cell Arteritis Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography. J Neuroophthalmol. 2023 Dec 01; 43(4):e117-e119. View Abstract
  40. Reversal of Visual Loss From Skull Base Osteomyelitis in a Pediatric Patient. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 Dec 01; 41(4):e728-e730. View Abstract
  41. Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Secondary to Carotid Artery Dissection. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 Dec 01; 41(4):e731-e733. View Abstract
  42. Comment on "Fatal GNAQ-mutated CNS melanoma in an adolescent with nevus of Ota". Pediatr Dermatol. 2021 11; 38(6):1608-1609. View Abstract
  43. Evaluation of the Relationship Between Preferential Looking Testing and Visual Evoked Potentials as a Biomarker of Cerebral Visual Impairment. Front Hum Neurosci. 2021; 15:769259. View Abstract
  44. Sectoral Sparing Associated With a Cilioretinal Artery in Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 06 01; 42(2):e514-e516. View Abstract
  45. Adverse Ocular Events following COVID-19 Vaccination. Inflamm Res. 2021 Dec; 70(10-12):1005-1009. View Abstract
  46. Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dichoptic Digital Therapeutic for Amblyopia. Ophthalmology. 2022 01; 129(1):77-85. View Abstract
  47. Ptosis as Clinical Presentation in a Patient With Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy Type 5. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 09 01; 41(3):e333-e334. View Abstract
  48. Absent Foveal Avascular Zone in Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 06 01; 41(2):e166-e168. View Abstract
  49. Digital therapeutic improves visual acuity and encourages high adherence in amblyopic children in open-label pilot study. J AAPOS. 2021 04; 25(2):87.e1-87.e6. View Abstract
  50. Microvasculopathy in Lyme-Associated Papillitis Revealed by Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography. J Neuroophthalmol. 2022 03 01; 42(1):e338-e340. View Abstract
  51. Serum Biomarkers in Neuro-Ophthalmology: When to Test. Semin Ophthalmol. 2021 May 19; 36(4):322-328. View Abstract
  52. Emerging therapies for amblyopia. Semin Ophthalmol. 2021 May 19; 36(4):282-288. View Abstract
  53. Pseudo-Duane retraction syndrome after orbital myositis. J AAPOS. 2021 04; 25(2):121-123. View Abstract
  54. Persistent vasa hyaloidea propria/retinae in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. J AAPOS. 2021 04; 25(2):114-116. View Abstract
  55. Improved adherence and treatment outcomes with an engaging, personalized digital therapeutic in amblyopia. Sci Rep. 2020 05 20; 10(1):8328. View Abstract
  56. Virtual Visits in Ophthalmology: Timely Advice for Implementation During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis. Telemed J E Health. 2020 09; 26(9):1113-1117. View Abstract
  57. Novel homozygous OPA3 mutation in an Afghani family with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type III and optic atrophy. Ophthalmic Genet. 2019 12; 40(6):570-573. View Abstract
  58. Pediatric Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Semin Neurol. 2019 12; 39(6):704-710. View Abstract
  59. Poor prognoses of open globe injuries with concomitant orbital fractures. Orbit. 2020 Aug; 39(4):241-250. View Abstract
  60. Diagnosis and Imaging of Optic Nerve Head Drusen. Semin Ophthalmol. 2019; 34(4):256-263. View Abstract
  61. Imaging Amblyopia: Insights from Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Semin Ophthalmol. 2019; 34(4):303-311. View Abstract
  62. Quantitative analysis of optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCT-A) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) corresponds to visual function. PLoS One. 2018; 13(6):e0199793. View Abstract
  63. Pseudohemangioma in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Ophthalmology. 2018 06; 125(6):903. View Abstract
  64. Bilateral uveal effusions in a 23-year-old man. Digit J Ophthalmol. 2018; 24(3):13-15. View Abstract
  65. Double Optic Disc Pit With Glial Plugs Imaged by Wide-Field Optical Coherence Tomography. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018 01 01; 49(1):52-54. View Abstract
  66. Focal Capillary Dropout Associated With Optic Disc Drusen Using Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography. J Neuroophthalmol. 2017 12; 37(4):405-410. View Abstract
  67. Optical coherence tomographic angiography identifies peripapillary microvascular dilation and focal non-perfusion in giant cell arteritis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 08; 102(8):1141-1146. View Abstract
  68. Congenital anomalies of the optic disc: insights from optical coherence tomography imaging. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017 Nov; 28(6):579-586. View Abstract
  69. Diagnostic genetic testing for patients with bilateral optic neuropathy and comparison of clinical features according to OPA1 mutation status. Mol Vis. 2017; 23:548-560. View Abstract
  70. Retinal Loop Vessel Captured with Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography. Ophthalmology. 2017 08; 124(8):1174. View Abstract
  71. PV16-Positive Invasive Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma in an Anophthalmic Socket. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017 May/Jun; 33(3S Suppl 1):S2-S4. View Abstract
  72. Combined Central Retinal Vein Occlusion and Central Retinal Arterial Obstruction with Cilioretinal Artery Sparing. Ophthalmology. 2017 04; 124(4):576. View Abstract
  73. Advances in Amblyopia Treatment: Paradigm Shifts and Future Directions. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2017; 57(4):117-128. View Abstract
  74. The enigma of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: an update for the comprehensive ophthalmologist. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2016 Nov; 27(6):498-504. View Abstract
  75. Peripapillary Capillary Dilation in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Revealed by Optical Coherence Tomographic Angiography. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016 11 01; 134(11):1332-1334. View Abstract
  76. Demographic, Systemic, and Ocular Factors Associated with Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Ophthalmology. 2016 12; 123(12):2446-2455. View Abstract
  77. Atypical Optic Neuritis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2015 Dec; 15(12):76. View Abstract
  78. Genetics of Primary Inherited Disorders of the Optic Nerve: Clinical Applications. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2015 Jul 01; 5(7):a017277. View Abstract
  79. Genetic determinants of amidating enzyme activity and its relationship with metal cofactors in human serum. BMC Endocr Disord. 2014 Jul 15; 14:58. View Abstract
  80. Pam heterozygous mice reveal essential role for Cu in amygdalar behavioral and synaptic function. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014 May; 1314:15-23. View Abstract
  81. In vivo and in vitro analyses of amygdalar function reveal a role for copper. J Neurophysiol. 2014 May; 111(10):1927-39. View Abstract
  82. Peptidylglycine a-amidating monooxygenase heterozygosity alters brain copper handling with region specificity. J Neurochem. 2013 Dec; 127(5):605-19. View Abstract
  83. Copper signaling in the mammalian nervous system: synaptic effects. J Neurosci Res. 2013 Jan; 91(1):2-19. View Abstract
  84. High serum Cu and Cu/Zn ratios correlate with impairments in bone density, physical performance and overall health in a population of elderly men with frailty characteristics. Exp Gerontol. 2012 Jul; 47(7):491-6. View Abstract
  85. Haploinsufficiency in peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase leads to altered synaptic transmission in the amygdala and impaired emotional responses. J Neurosci. 2010 Oct 13; 30(41):13656-69. View Abstract
  86. Kalirin-7 is required for synaptic structure and function. J Neurosci. 2008 Nov 19; 28(47):12368-82. View Abstract
  87. Amine modulation of Ih in a small neural network. J Neurophysiol. 2006 Dec; 96(6):2931-40. View Abstract
  88. Low conductance gap junctions mediate specific electrical coupling in body-wall muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans. J Biol Chem. 2006 Mar 24; 281(12):7881-9. View Abstract

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