About Rachel Huckfeldt, MD, PhD
Dr. Rachel Huckfeldt is a full-time member of the Inherited Retinal Disorders Service at Mass. Eye and Ear. She is a retina specialist with expertise in inherited retinal degenerations as well as conditions including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Huckfeldt graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, summa cum laude, with a BA in Biology and Psychology. Subsequently, she earned her MD and PhD in Neuroscience at Washington University. Next, she completed her ophthalmology residency in Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology. Before returning to Mass. Eye and Ear, she completed a postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Therapeutics for Inherited Retinal Diseases with Dr. Jean Bennett at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a Medical Retina Fellowship at the University of Iowa. She completed a clinical and research fellowship in inherited retinal degenerations under the guidance of Dr. Eric Pierce, supported by a Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical/ Research Fellowship Award.
Dr. Huckfeldt has received numerous honors and awards. In particular, she was selected to attend the Heed Resident’s Retreat, later received a Heed Fellowship, and also received an Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology/National Eye Institute travel grant.
Clinical Interests:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Retina
Treats:
- Adult
Locations
Mass Eye and Ear
243 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-523-7900
Medical Education
- MD, Washington University
- Residency, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
- Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
- Fellowship, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
American Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology
Research
Dr. Huckfeldt’s clinically-oriented research focuses on improving the care and visual outcomes of patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). Her current research focuses on understanding pathways leading to retinal degeneration and improving the clinical care of patients with retinitis pigmentosa-associated cystoid macular edema. These projects have the potential to increase our understanding of RP and other inherited orphan retinal degenerations. Dr. Huckfeldt also leads Mass Eye and Ear’s participation in a number of clinical trials assessing gene therapies for the treatment of IRDs.
Publications
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1. Huckfeldt RM, Vavvas DG. Progressive Maculopathy After Discontinuation of Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019 Oct 01; 50(10):656-659.
2. Stanwyck LK, Place EM, Comander J, Huckfeldt RM, Sobrin L. Predictive value of genetic testing for inherited retinal diseases in patients with suspected atypical autoimmune retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019 Sep; 15:100461.
3. Gupta PR, Huckfeldt RM. Gene therapy for inherited retinal degenerations: initial successes and future challenges. J Neural Eng. 2017 10; 14(5):051002.
4. Huckfeldt RM, Comander J. Management of Cystoid Macular Edema in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Semin Ophthalmol. 2017; 32(1):43-51.
5. Ramachandran PS, Lee V, Wei Z, Song JY, Casal G, Cronin T, Willett K, Huckfeldt R, Morgan JI, Aleman TS, Maguire AM, Bennett J. Evaluation of Dose and Safety of AAV7m8 and AAV8BP2 in the Non-Human Primate Retina. Hum Gene Ther. 2017 02; 28(2):154-167.
Dr. Rachel Huckfeldt is an amazing provider with clarity, gentleness and compassion. I always feel, along with my wife, that we always are at ease in her presence as she explains all that needs to be detailed with my retinitis pigmentosa. God bless you always. Thanks so much.
Professional and thorough
Provider was incredibly competent , caring , professional , understanding , compassionate. The best of the best . Bed side manner second to none
Every went well same usually it is all good thanks
Dr. Huckfeldt is a great doctor, explains everything in depth so that you can understand it, really shows that she cares about your vision and about a plan going forward. I would recommend her to anybody who has retinitis pigmentosa.
The IRD team at MEEI is amazing and we are so fortunate to have them in the Boston area! They are not only subject matter experts, they are very understanding of the challenges of their patients!
It was a great experience. I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Well, I say well and they treat everything very well, not even the nurses, the doctors, all the specialists, everything is a nice care, thank you.
This was the first & probably only time seeing this provider. She provided me with a large amount on info that will take me some time to adjust to in order to share info with family as needed. I can't think of any easy way for all that was discussed to be shared. Time for me to "put my brain in gear" to absorb this unfamiliar medical ... Read More
Dr Huckfeldt was professional, knowledgeable and worked well and courteously with her fellow to explain my results and discuss nuances of my concerns. Tremendous work.