Moritz S. Pettenkofer

Moritz S. Pettenkofer, MD is a physician specializing in Retina and Vitreous Diseases at the Doris Stein Eye Research Center, part of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He provides clinical care at multiple UCLA Stein Eye Center locations across Los Angeles, including West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Calabasas.

Education

• MD, Universitaetsmedizin Goettingen Medizinische Fakultaet (2014)
• Residency, Ophthalmology, Technischen Universitaet Muenchen (2019)
• Fellowship, Retina, UCLA Ophthalmology (2022)
• Internships: Internal Medicine (Kantonsspital Dornach, 2013), Ophthalmology (University of Göttingen, 2013), Visceral Surgery (C.H.U. Fort-de-France, 2012)

Research Focus

Dr. Pettenkofer's research centers on retinal pathologies and advanced imaging technologies. Key areas include:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications in retinal disease
• Anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Robotic systems in ophthalmic surgery
• Postnatal retinal development in preterm infants
• Management of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and epiretinal proliferation

Publications & Clinical Work

His recent studies (2022-2025) address:

• Faricimab efficacy in refractory macular edema
• Meditation/music interventions for patient comfort during intravitreal injections
• Choroidal thinning related to early oxygen exposure in neonates
• Microstructural outcomes in epiretinal membrane peeling
• Retinal vascular changes in autoimmune disorders like neuromyelitis optica
• Robotic surgical innovations in vitreoretinal procedures

Clinical Services

He specializes in retina disease care, including complex conditions like macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and vitreoretinal interface disorders, with affiliations at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.