Monika Fleckenstein,
MD
Languages Spoken: English
Monika Fleckenstein, MD, specializes in degenerative retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Dr. Fleckenstein received her medical degree from the University of Heidelberg School of Medicine and completed a research fellowship in inherited retinal diseases at Johns Hopkins University.
A long-time collaborator with Moran’s Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM), Dr. Fleckenstein is the former head of the University of Bonn Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Trial Center. She is recognized as an international authority on the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials in retinal diseases.
As part of her role at Moran, Dr. Fleckenstein will oversee the DREAM1 Study, which will determine exactly how homozygous chromosome1-directed AMD progresses in patients and the appropriate stage in the disease to administer therapy.
Specialties
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Professor |
| Board Certification | Medical Association of North Rhine-Ophthalmology |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.9/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.8/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.7/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.8/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
May 12, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is incredible. She explains things thoroughly and in a manner that is understandable. She always sees me very promptly. She is friendly and caring. Her credentials and experience are world-class and so the way she treats you.
UofU Patient
April 30, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is not just an excellent doctor, but also a wonderful human being, because I think she really cares about her patients. I also appreciate the fact that she looks at various aspects (lab results, various tests performed by other doctord that may be pertinent for the patient's eye health. Although she specializes in retina issues, she looks to see if there are other conditions that may affect the patient's vision and eye health
UofU Patient
April 22, 2021
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MIDVALLEY HEALTH CENTER
Relieved my anxiety about the procedure. I couldn't have asked for better care!!!
UofU Patient
April 15, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
compassionate, truthful and reassuring
UofU Patient
April 11, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
The doctor explained everything really well. I found her pleasant and extremely knowledgeable.
UofU Patient
April 09, 2021
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MIDVALLEY HEALTH CENTER
Dr. FLECKENSTEIN treated me with compassion, kindness, concern, and willingness to help me with the best of her knowledge and expertise. I felt safe and I allowed myself to become a little vulnerable and shed some tears.
UofU Patient
March 31, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
The doctor was great, enjoyed her very much!
UofU Patient
March 22, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
it was great
UofU Patient
March 20, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Excellent
UofU Patient
March 15, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
first appointment was better
UofU Patient
March 08, 2021
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MIDVALLEY HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is wonderful. Her enthusiasm is contagious.
UofU Patient
March 06, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is one of the most caring, conscientious, empathetic providers I have met. She goes out off her way and takes the time to make a personal connection along with keeping me informed of what she is doing and seeing. She is clear and concise in her descriptions of the issue and treatment needed. She answers all questions to my satisfaction.
UofU Patient
February 24, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
This was a follow up appointment for an on going problem. Nothing new
UofU Patient
January 11, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is extremely careful and thorough when she examines the patient, and equally careful and thorough when she explains her conclusions to the patient, because she sees the patient not just like a "clinic case" or a statistic entity, but as a human being.
UofU Patient
December 19, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Great
UofU Patient
November 10, 2020
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MIDVALLEY HEALTH CENTER
if there were a higher choice like fantastic I would vote for that.
UofU Patient
November 01, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
She was so concerned about my feelings and my condition. she went out of her way to call me and get her colleague to see me.
UofU Patient
October 31, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein is wonderful. She is very warm, caring, sincere and concerned. She is brilliant and I have full faith in her advice and decisions.
UofU Patient
October 02, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Wonderful doctor.
UofU Patient
August 20, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
I felt listened to.
UofU Patient
August 13, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Monika Fleckenstein is a brilliant and compassionate research scientist and doctor.
UofU Patient
August 13, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
The doctor is great!
UofU Patient
August 11, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
I see why Dr. Fleckenstein is top rated. She is clear, concise, and still conveys warmth, interest, and concern. She knows what she is doing, and I have confidence in her recommendations.
UofU Patient
August 07, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
The care providers and doctor gave me the time to address my concerns.
UofU Patient
July 04, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
doctor put of discussion of a treatment plan to a future visit
UofU Patient
July 02, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Fleckenstein may have saved my life. She found tiny strokes in my eyes and immediately took action to admit me to the stroke unit of the hospital. She handled this all in a very kind, concerned and compassionate manner.
UofU Patient
May 19, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Fleckenstein was good. My biggest problem was the need for Everyone to wear a mask so the communications level was fair. I often had trouble understanding the doctor's comments.
UofU Patient
April 07, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
at the light of the imagery, she explain to me regarding the necessity to having the eye injection every 4 weeks
UofU Patient
March 29, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr Fleckenstein is very impressive. Smart, caring, thorough. Thank you to the entire staff at Moran for being very cautious and meticulous about limiting exposure to coronavirus.
UofU Patient
February 16, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
No treatment options available since it was explained that my eyes are stable with no complete diagnosis available yet.
UofU Patient
February 09, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
was laid out very simply and direct. So thorough
Monika Fleckenstein, MD, specializes in degenerative retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Dr. Fleckenstein received her medical degree from the University of Heidelberg School of Medicine and completed a research fellowship in inherited retinal diseases at Johns Hopkins University.
A long-time collaborator with Moran’s Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine (SCTM), Dr. Fleckenstein is the former head of the University of Bonn Department of Ophthalmology Clinical Trial Center. She is recognized as an international authority on the design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials in retinal diseases.
As part of her role at Moran, Dr. Fleckenstein will oversee the DREAM1 Study, which will determine exactly how homozygous chromosome1-directed AMD progresses in patients and the appropriate stage in the disease to administer therapy.
Academic Locations
Research Statement
Degenerative retinal diseases
Characterization by innovative high-resolution imaging technology
Identification of prognostic biomarkers for disease progression
Validation of clinical endpoints for interventional trials
Scientific concept, design and principal investigator:
SIGHT-Study (Sparing of the Fovea in GA-Progression, NCT02332343)
DSGA-Study (Directional Spread of Geographic Atrophy, NCT0205199)
FOCUS OF CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
Degenerative retinal diseases
‘Medical Retina‘
Intravitreal drug delivery in exudative retinal diseases
Innovative medical therapy of retinal diseases in the context of interventional trials
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Professor |
| Board Certification | Medical Association of North Rhine-Ophthalmology |
Research Interests
- Clinical Trials
- Retinal Degeneration
- Age-related Macular Degeneration
- Advanced Medical Imaging and Image Data Analysis
Education History
| Research Fellow | Johns Hopkins University Inherited Retinal Diseases Research Fellow |
| Doctoral Training | University of Freiburg Experimental Anesthesiology Dr. med. |
| Professional Medical | University of Heidelberg School of Medicine Medicine M.D. |
| Professional Medical | University of Bonn Ophthalmology Dr. med. habil |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Mller PL, Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG (2020). Optical Coherence Tomography-Angiography in Geographic Atrophy. Ophthalmologica, 244(1), 42-50.
- Pfau M, Jolly JK, Wu Z, Denniss J, Lad EM, Guymer RH, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2020). Fundus-controlled perimetry (microperimetry): Application as outcome measure in clinical trials. Prog Retin Eye Res, 100907.
- Pfau M, von der Emde L, de Sisternes L, Hallak JA, Leng T, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M, Rubin DL (2021). Progression of Photoreceptor Degeneration in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-related Macular Degeneration. JAMA Ophthalmol, 138(10), 1026-1034.
- Pfau M, Walther G, von der Emde L, Berens P, Faes L, Fleckenstein M, Heeren TFC, Kortm K, Knzel SH, Mller PL, Maloca PM, Waldstein SM, Wintergerst MWM, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Finger RP, Holz FG (2020). [Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology : Guidelines for physicians for the critical evaluation of studies]. Ophthalmologe, 117(10), 973-988.
- Pfau M, von der Emde L, Dysli C, Mller PT, Thiele S, Lindner M, Schmid M, Rubin DL, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2020). Determinants of Cone and Rod Functions in Geographic Atrophy: AI-Based Structure-Function Correlation. Am J Ophthalmol, 217, 162-173.
- Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Pfau M, Fleckenstein M, Staurenghi G, Sparrow JR, Bindewald-Wittich A, Spaide RF, Wolf S, Sadda SR, Holz FG (2020). Fundus autofluorescence imaging. Prog Retin Eye Res, 100893.
- Sassmannshausen M, Pfau M, Thiele S, Fimmers R, Steinberg JS, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2020). Longitudinal Analysis of Structural and Functional Changes in Presence of Reticular Pseudodrusen Associated With Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 61(10), 19.
- Samannshausen M, Zhou J, Pfau M, Thiele S, Steinberg J, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2020). Longitudinal Analysis of Retinal Thickness and Retinal Function in Eyes with Large Drusen Secondary to Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. (Epub ahead of print) Ophthalmol Retina.
- Dieck S, Ibarra M, Moghul I, Yeung MW, Pantel JT, Thiele S, Pfau M, Fleckenstein M, Pontikos N, Krawitz PM (2020). Factors in Color Fundus Photographs That Can Be Used by Humans to Determine Sex of Individuals. Transl Vis Sci Technol, 9(7), 8.
- Knzel SH, Mller PT, Lindner M, Goerdt L, Nadal J, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M, Pfau M (2020). Determinants of Quality of Life in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 61(5), 63.
- Thiele S, Nadal J, Pfau M, Samannshausen M, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2020). Prognostic value of intermediate age-related macular degeneration phenotypes for geographic atrophy progression. (Epub ahead of print) Br J Ophthalmol.
- Eter N, Pauleikhoff D, Agostini H, Fleckenstein M, Ziemssen F (2020). [Value and formats of quality assurance : Ophthalmology and intravitreal therapy between reality and wishful thinking]. Ophthalmologe, 117(4), 298-306.
- Guymer RH, Rosenfeld PJ, Curcio CA, Holz FG, Staurenghi G, Freund KB, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Sparrow J, Spaide RF, Tufail A, Chakravarthy U, Jaffe GJ, Csaky K, Sarraf D, Mons JM, Tadayoni R, Grunwald J, Bottoni F, Liakopoulos S, Pauleikhoff D, Pagliarini S, Chew EY, Viola F, Fleckenstein M, Blodi BA, Lim TH, Chong V, Lutty J, Bird AC, Sadda SR (2019). Incomplete Retinal Pigment Epithelial and Outer Retinal Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Classification of Atrophy Meeting Report 4. Ophthalmology, 127(3), 394-409.
- Pfau M, Mller PT, Knzel SH, von der Emde L, Lindner M, Thiele S, Dysli C, Nadal J, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2019). Type 1 Choroidal Neovascularization Is Associated with Reduced Localized Progression of Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Retina, 4(3), 238-248.
- Thiele S, Nadal J, Pfau M, Samannshausen M, von der Emde L, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Molecular Diagnostic of Age-related Macular Degeneration Study Group (2019). Prognostic Value of Retinal Layers in Comparison with Other Risk Factors for Conversion of Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration. Ophthalmol Retina, 4(1), 31-40.
- von der Emde L, Thiele S, Pfau M, Nadal J, Meyer J, Mller PT, Schmid M, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2019). Assessment of Exudative Activity of Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration by OCT Angiography. Ophthalmologica, 243(2), 120-128.
- Pfau M, von der Emde L, Dysli C, Thiele S, Mller PT, Lindner M, Nadal J, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2019). Light Sensitivity Within Areas of Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 60(12), 3992-4001.
- Bhringer D, Goos D, Ach T, Feltgen N, Fleckenstein M, Kohnen T, Lorenz K, Pielen A, Spital G, Wilhelm B, Bhringer S, Reinhard T, Arbeitsgemeinschaft DOG Klinische Studienzentren (2019). [Work sampling in ophthalmological clinical studies. A multicenter field study]. Ophthalmologe, 116(9), 872-878.
- Fleckenstein M, Thiele S, Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG (2019). [Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Epidemiology and Classification]. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd, 236(9), 1068-1075.
- Bax NM, Valkenburg D, Lambertus S, Klevering BJ, Boon CJF, Holz FG, Cremers FPM, Fleckenstein M, Hoyng CB, Lindner M, Foveal Sparing Atrophy Study Team FAST (2019). Foveal Sparing in Central Retinal Dystrophies. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 60(10), 3456-3467.
- Pfau M, Lindner M, Goerdt L, Thiele S, Nadal J, Schmid M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Sadda SR, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M, Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study Group (2018). PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF SHAPE-DESCRIPTIVE FACTORS FOR THE PROGRESSION OF GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY SECONDARY TO AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. Retina, 39(8), 1527-1540.
- von der Emde L, Pfau M, Dysli C, Thiele S, Mller PT, Lindner M, Schmid M, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2019). Artificial intelligence for morphology-based function prediction in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Sci Rep, 9(1), 11132.
- Grassmann F, Harsch S, Brandl C, Kiel C, Nrnberg P, Toliat MR, Fleckenstein M, Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Chew EY, Swaroop A, Ratnapriya R, Klein ML, Mulyukov Z, Zamiri P, Weber BHF (2019). Assessment of Novel Genome-Wide Significant Gene Loci and Lesion Growth in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. (Epub ahead of print) JAMA Ophthalmol.
- Lindner M, Pfau M, Czauderna J, Goerdt L, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2018). Determinants of Reading Performance in Eyes with Foveal-Sparing Geographic Atrophy. Ophthalmol Retina, 3(3), 201-210.
- Birtel J, Lindner M, Mishra DK, Mller PL, Hendig D, Herrmann P, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M, Gliem M, Charbel Issa P (2018). Retinal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography for detecting active choroidal neovascularization in pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 47(2), 240-249.
- Pfau M, Lindner M, Gliem M, Steinberg JS, Thiele S, Finger RP, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Mesopic and dark-adapted two-color fundus-controlled perimetry in patients with cuticular, reticular, and soft drusen. Eye (Lond), 32(12), 1819-1830.
- Pfau M, Lindner M, Steinberg JS, Thiele S, Brinkmann CK, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Visual field indices and patterns of visual field deficits in mesopic and dark-adapted two-colour fundus-controlled perimetry in macular diseases. Br J Ophthalmol, 102(8), 1054-1059.
- Mller PL, Pfau M, Mller PT, Nadal J, Schmid M, Lindner M, de Sisternes L, Sthr H, Weber BHF, Neuhaus C, Herrmann P, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2018). Choroidal Flow Signal in Late-Onset Stargardt Disease and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An OCT-Angiography Study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 59(4), AMD122-AMD131.
- Lindner M, Kosanetzky S, Pfau M, Nadal J, Gordt LA, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Schmid M, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2018). Local Progression Kinetics of Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Are Associated With Atrophy Border Morphology. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 59(4), AMD12-AMD18.
- Thiele S, Pfau M, Larsen PP, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Multimodal Imaging Patterns for Development of Central Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 59(4), AMD1-AMD11.
- Sassmannshausen M, Steinberg JS, Fimmers R, Pfau M, Thiele S, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Structure-Function Analysis in Patients With Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 59(3), 1599-1608.
- von der Emde L, Pfau M, Thiele S, Mller PT, Hassenrik R, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Mesopic and Dark-Adapted Two-Color Fundus-Controlled Perimetry in Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol, 8(1), 7.
- Thiele S, Nadal J, Fleckenstein M, Fang PP, Pfau M, Schmid M, Hua R, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2018). Longitudinal Analysis of Drusen Volume in Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Two Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Patterns. Ophthalmologica, 239(2-3), 110-120.
- Steinberg JS, Samannshausen M, Pfau M, Fleckenstein M, Finger RP, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2017). Evaluation of Two Systems for Fundus-Controlled Scotopic and Mesopic Perimetry in Eye with Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Transl Vis Sci Technol, 6(4), 7.
- Oishi M, Oishi A, Lindner M, Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Fleckenstein M (2017). Structural Changes in Optical Coherence Tomography Underlying Spots of Increased Autofluorescence in the Perilesional Zone of Geographic Atrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 58(7), 3303-3310.
- Pfau M, Lindner M, Muller PL, Birtel J, Finger RP, Harmening WM, Fleckenstein M, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2017). Effective Dynamic Range and Retest Reliability of Dark-Adapted Two-Color Fundus-Controlled Perimetry in Patients With Macular Diseases. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 58(6), BIO158-BIO167.
- Pfau M, Goerdt L, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Mauschitz MM, Mishra DK, Holz FG, Lindner M, Fleckenstein M (2017). Green-Light Autofluorescence Versus Combined Blue-Light Autofluorescence and Near-Infrared Reflectance Imaging in Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 58(6), BIO121-BIO130.
- Lindner M, Nadal J, Mauschitz MM, Luning A, Czauderna J, Pfau M, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Holz FG, Schmid M, Fleckenstein M (2017). Combined Fundus Autofluorescence and Near Infrared Reflectance as Prognostic Biomarkers for Visual Acuity in Foveal-Sparing Geographic Atrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 58(6), BIO61-BIO67.
Review
Conference Proceedings
- Sadda SR, Guymer R, Holz FG, Schmitz-Valckenberg S, Curcio CA, Bird AC, Blodi BA, Bottoni F, Chakravarthy U, Chew EY, Csaky K, Danis RP, Fleckenstein M, Freund KB, Grunwald J, Hoyng CB, Jaffe GJ, Liakopoulos S, Mons JM, Pauleikhoff D, Rosenfeld PJ, Sarraf D, Spaide RF, Tadayoni R, Tufail A, Wolf S, Staurenghi G (2018). Consensus Definition for Atrophy Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration on OCT: Classification of Atrophy Report 3. Ophthalmology, United States, 125(4), 537-548.
- Holz FG, Sadda SR, Staurenghi G, Lindner M, Bird AC, Blodi BA, Bottoni F, Chakravarthy U, Chew EY, Csaky K, Curcio CA, Danis R, Fleckenstein M, Freund KB, Grunwald J, Guymer R, Hoyng CB, Jaffe GJ, Liakopoulos S, Mones JM, Oishi A, Pauleikhoff D, Rosenfeld PJ, Sarraf D, Spaide RF, Tadayoni R, Tufail A, Wolf S, Schmitz-Valckenberg S (2017). Imaging Protocols in Clinical Studies in Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Recommendations from Classification of Atrophy Consensus Meetings. Ophthalmology, United States, 124(4), 464-478.
Global Impact
Education History
| Professional Medical | University of Heidelberg School of Medicine Medicine M.D. |