Overview
The division of ophthalmology continues a robust clinical and research program. The clinical program experienced faculty turnover during the academic year which overshadowed previously successful access improvements. Drs. West and Yang remain to anchor the clinical and teaching program. The research program has clinical and basic components. The clinical research program is investigating key questions in retinopathy of prematurity, contact lens issues, and slit lamp efficacy. The basic science component is referred to as the visual systems group.
In November 2004, the division held the annual Vision Event. A total of 609 exams were performed with 445 children receiving glasses and 140 received referrals for more extensive ophthalmic care. This event sets APEI as a leader in providing ophthalmic care. The Abrahamson Pediatric Eye Institute (APEI) has enhanced thousands of lives thanks to Dr. Ira Abrahamson who is a source of constant guidance and support to our growing programs.
Division Director, Dr. Constance West, was highly involved in academic and teaching endeavors. These included regional as well as national teaching engagements. Her accomplishments were three days of optics lectures at the Curso Basico de Oftalmologia at the Medical College of the University of Puerto Rico with some teaching materials in Spanish. Dr. West participated in visiting professorships at St. Louis University, Washington University, University of Missouri, and Medical University of South Carolina.
Dr. Richard Lang continues to head the Visual Systems Group and is working to expand the group into a world-class research initiative. Dr. Lang manages a research lab with a major emphasis on ocular development. Dr. Lang is a recipient of both public and private funding. As of the end of fiscal year 2004-2005, the National Institutes of Health have been funding three projects in Dr. Lang's laboratory. This year he was awarded an additional R01 grant supporting a fourth project. While Dr. Lang studies the development of the eye, these projects are divided into two specific areas of research. One group investigates the development of the lens. More specifically they are interested in the role of cadherins in lens morphogenesis and are also working on a cell-based therapy for cataracts. The other group investigates the role of vessel development in the eye, and specifically the role of the Wnt pathway in postnatal blood vessel regression.
Dr. Dan Saltarelli's current project is intended at testing the safety and utility of a new, hyper-oxygen permeable rigid contact lens in fitting infant eyes after cataract extraction and to see what effects this lens has on a child's eye(s). This contact lens has been recently FDA approved for up to 30 days of continuous wear in adults, and therefore its potential for use in the pediatric population is being investigated in this study. He has received IRB approval to proceed with the study and is currently recruiting subjects.
