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Home , Nystagmus

FALL 2015

IN THIS ISSUE 1. Quitting is not an option 3. Innovative therapy, advanced research herald a bright future 4. Institute remembers pioneering ophthalmologists 5. Noted scientist continues groundbreaking research on neutrophils 5. Thank you to our donors 6. Surgeon notes innovations in treatment for dry

PATIENT SPOTLIGHT Quitting is not an option

Pioneering vision helps New Jersey boy see clearly

Quitting was never an option for 8-year-old Thomas Walkup. Even though congenital nystagmus caused his eye muscles to pulse continually and severely limited his vision, the youngster insisted that he wanted to continue wrestling and playing T-ball. Unfortunately, because Thomas could not focus on the ball, playing baseball was not a reality.

Patients with congenital nystagmus have rapid and repetitive eye movements; the eyes move involuntarily side to side, up and down or in circles, making it impossible for them to gaze at an object steadily. Children with the condition typically suffer dramatic impacts on their educational and social development.

In fact, Thomas’ mother, Susan Banks, was told he would not be able to play sports or drive a car, and was destined to struggle in school because he had such difficulty reading. Also, Banks worried about how Thomas, with his rapidly darting eyes, would be treated by his peers. Thomas Walkup

continued on page 2 Inspired by her bright and determined son, Banks scoured from New Jersey to the Angels game, in hope of catching MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR the Internet and eventually found Gavin Herbert Eye a foul ball. He didn’t catch a foul ball, but he did take Institute and Dr. Robert W. Lingua — one of the only batting practice, and hit most of the balls pitched to him, surgeons in the world who performs an innovative something that would have been impossible a surgical procedure to improve vision in children with week earlier. Innovative therapy, advanced research congenital nystagmus. “Thomas is a good-hearted kid, a herald a bright future Thomas, who lives with his family in Millville, N.J., determined kid,” Banks said. “He wants to The future has never been brighter at Gavin Herbert findings and test them in a clinical setting, allowing new was evaluated and qualified for the procedure, which be a scientist because he likes to learn.” took place in August. The three-hour surgery involves Eye Institute. With the completion of our new building, interventions to become standard practice in patient care. removing part of the muscle that controls . we have a special opportunity to advance ophthalmic After struggling for years to see anything more than Integrating the institute’s advances in chemistry, research and take our work to the next level. As we “The perfect result would be to stop the shaking and blurry shapes, Thomas is now able, for the first time, to genomics and diagnostics, biomedical imaging and maintain our global presence, we continue to develop straighten the eyes in every patient. That’s our dream clearly see his mother’s eyes. Playing sports and driving innovative therapeutics will enable us to optimize these innovative and accessible therapies for millions of people and that’s what we’re aiming to do,” Lingua said. a car, things all kids want to do, are now possible for sub-disciplines and serve as a model of modern medical worldwide who are on the verge of losing their sight. Thomas. Thomas is able to look forward unimpeded exploration. As we work to ensure the institute’s impact, Unfortunately, shaky eye syndrome isn’t the only to returning to school this fall and to a bright future As part of that mission, we are committed to advancing we are positioned to make a real difference in the lives of medical issue Thomas has faced in his young life. He beyond — one that he can see clearly. translational vision research. That includes recruiting generations to come. had brain surgery last year, the result of Langerhans cell and retaining exceptional scientists who have a histiocytosis, a rare disorder. After the surgery he suffered Sincerely, keen understanding and passion for expediting the a heart arrhythmia called supraventricular tachycardia, discovery of new diagnostic tools and treatments using which required another surgery. Unbroken by these a multidisciplinary, highly collaborative, “bench-to- setbacks, Thomas took images of his brain scans to share bedside” approach. with his second-grade class. Our emphasis is on enhancing the health and well-being Earlier this year, Thomas was denied services for the blind of individuals and the community with a focus on cross- by a New Jersey state commission that determined his functional collaborations between researchers and vision problem wasn’t severe enough to receive state- clinicians, leveraging new technology and data analysis supported assistance. His school district wanted to tools, and increasing the speed at which new treatments Roger Steinert, MD classify Thomas as learning disabled. “He has a vision reach patients. Our goal is to take basic research Director, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute impairment, not a learning disability,” Banks noted. Irving H. Leopold Professor of “Everyone was just shutting the door.”

That’s when she sought help online and eventually located the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. Although Thomas Walkup meets Mike Trout. Faculty members insurance will often pay much of the medical costs, Photo courtesy of Angels Baseball. patients usually have to cover the costs associated with Comprehensive Eye Care and and Vitreous Research travel, hotel, meals, etc. Thanks to the generosity of To view videos detailing Thomas’ journey to better vision, M. Cristina Kenney, MD, PhD Sameh Mosaed, MD Baruch Kuppermann, MD, PhD Lbachir BenMohamed, PhD Vice Chair, Academic Affairs the Millville community, which raised about $10,000 visit ucirvinehealth.org/thomas Cataracts, , External Anand Bhatt, MD Donald J. Brown, PhD Disease and Refractive Stephanie Lu, MD in donations, Thomas and his family spent a month Neuro-Ophthalmology James V. Jester, PhD Marjan Farid, MD Chantal Boisvert, MD Mitul Mehta, MD Tibor Juhasz, PhD in Orange County following his surgery. The Anaheim Vice Chair of Ophthalmic Faculty R. Wade Crow, MD M. Cristina Kenney, MD, PhD Angels arranged a day at Disneyland and Legoland, Sumit (Sam) Garg, MD and set up a meeting with his hometown hero Angels Vice Chair, Clinical Ophthalmology Oculoplastics Henry Klassen, MD, PhD center fielder and American League MVP Mike Trout, Roger Steinert, MD Jeremiah Tao, MD Anthony B. Nesburn, MD Vice Chair of Research a Millville native. Thomas brought his baseball glove Chair, Department of Ophthalmic Ophthalmology Eric Pearlman, PhD Irving H. Leopold Professor of Donald S. Minckler, MD Ophthalmology Steven L. Wechsler, PhD Director, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Chantal Boisvert, MD Jing Yang, MD, PhD Matthew Wade, MD Robert W. Lingua, MD Jennifer Simpson, MD

2 www.eye.uci.edu | ucirvinehealth.org 3 DONOR PROFILE RESEARCH UPDATE Thank you to our donors

Gifts of $25,000 and above received Institute remembers pioneering ophthalmologists Noted scientist since Jan. 1, 2014, to the general fund of the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute: Two world-renowned ophthalmology surgeons and innovators passed away in the past year, continues Abbott Medical Optics but their legacies live on at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute Bausch & Lomb Surgical groundbreaking Ninetta and Gavin S. Herbert Dr. Robert M. Sinskey, a surgery pioneer who Loraine and Robert M. Sinskey, MD was especially devoted to eliminating blindness in research on neutrophils The Robert M. Sinskey Foundation children, is memorialized in the institute’s Loraine and Robert Sinskey, MD, Pediatric Vision Center. Dr. Richard Dr. Eric Pearlman has traveled the world studying the Kratz, who had more than 60 years of experience as a bacterial and fungal infections that cause corneal Gifts of $25,000 and above received clinical professor of ophthalmology at UC Irvine and in diseases (termed microbial ). He studied river since Jan. 1, 2014, for research: private practice, is remembered through the institute’s blindness in sub-Saharan Africa and in Richard Kratz, MD, DSci, Operating Room. south India. Fungal keratitis is also prevalent in the U.S., Allergan Foundation where it is associated with contact wear. Discovery Eye Foundation In addition to their work with the institute, both men Gerber Foundation gave generously to the Shine the Light capital campaign Recently named director of the UC Irvine Institute for Josephine Gleis in support of the newly completed building, recalled Immunology and a professor in the departments of Geneva M. Matlock, MD Diane and Harry Rinker Dr. Roger Steinert, institute director. “Both Dr. Kratz Ophthalmology and Physiology & Biophysics, Pearlman Polly and Mike Smith and Dr. Sinskey were pioneers in cataract surgery from is moving his ongoing research toward new and Nancy and Jeff Stack Roger Steinert, MD and Richard Kratz, MD effective treatments for patients. “It’s an exciting time,” the 1970s to the 1990s,” Steinert explained. “They were internationally known for their innovations in teaching he said. “We have National Eye Institute funding to Institute. “He created an ongoing legacy of continued Legacy Gifts of $25,000 and above: and for their contributions to the science of cataract continue research in new directions that will yield novel patient care and teaching facilities for generations to Judith and Charles Fritch, MD surgery. Many patients — easily in the millions — have therapeutic agents to treat different blinding diseases.” come, thanks to his ideas and insight,” Steinert said. Josephine Gleis benefited directly and indirectly from their teaching and His research focuses on the regulatory role of neutrophils Gavin S. Herbert Sinskey developed new instruments and techniques used innovation. They took the field of cataract surgery to in bacterial and fungal infections, especially corneal Harry and Diane Johnson in cataract surgery and taught thousands of surgeons to entirely new levels.” infections that lead to and blindness. Beth R. and Walter A. Koehler use them. “Beyond that, he set up and funded a project Geneva M. Matlock, MD Kratz was a longtime supporter of many areas of UC Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood to launch a hospital in Ethiopia that has had enormous Dan and Kathleen McWard Irvine and served as a key member of the committee cells in mammals and form an essential part of the impact in helping eliminate blindness in the developing Kay Tseng that guided the establishment of the Gavin Herbert Eye immune system. nations,” Steinert noted. In his last years, Sinskey reached out to Steinert and GHEI to launch a revolutionary As part of his 20-year tenure as a professor and director pediatric surgery for nystagmus — a condition in which of research at Case Western Reserve University, Pearlman 20/20 Society the eyes make involuntary, repetitive movements. They was senior author of a study documenting the discovery Friends in Vision Gifts of $2,500 and above: enlisted GHEI professor Dr. Robert Lingua, who built on of a novel population of neutrophils that have an Anonymous Sinskey’s initiative and is now a leader in improving and enhanced microbial killing ability and are thereby better Anonymous Nancy and Paul Arentsen reversing congenital nystagmus. able to control infection. The study was published last Nancy and Larry Pasquali, MD year in the prestigious journal Nature Immunology. The results of today’s ophthalmologic are Glenys and Jim Slavik “nothing short of miraculous,” Steinert said, thanks April and Roger Steinert, MD to the efforts of both Kratz and Sinskey. “They proved that there is always room for improvement, and we are committed to take whatever we’re doing and make it Pediatric Vision Program better,” he said. “We must never cease to progress. We Gifts of $10,000 and above: Robert M. Sinskey, MD and his wife Loraine Sinskey are honored by their legacy.” Children and Families Commission of Orange County Lon V. Smith Foundation

4 www.eye.uci.edu | ucirvinehealth.org 5 CLINICAL HIGHLIGHT NEWS IN BRIEF

Dedicated clinical professor retires Foundation gift establishes Surgeon notes new research programs Dr. Linda S. Lippa, clinical professor of ophthalmology, innovations in treatment will retire this fall after 21 years of service to the A recent $2-million gift from the Discovery Eye Matthew Wade, MD UC Irvine School of . Foundation will establish two centers – The Discovery for dry eye disease Cornea Center and The Discovery Retina Center – As medical student education director for the which, in addition to active research, will provide Dry eye disease may sound no worse than a minor What does dry eye disease feel like? Wade said patients’ Department of Ophthalmology for many years, Lippa outreach and education programs at the Gavin irritation, but it can cause major suffering symptoms vary, but can include the sensation of having has a passion for teaching and has played a pivotal Herbert Eye Institute for patients with degenerative a foreign body in the eye, tearing, redness, burning, eye role in ophthalmology training in the medical school eye diseases. Based in Los Angeles, the Discovery Eye Dr. Matthew Wade, a fellowship-trained eye surgeon and blurred vision. Because these symptoms curriculum. Her research interests include ocular Foundation supports research, education, advocacy and instructor in the UC Irvine School of Medicine, says overlap with signs of other ocular conditions, an tumors, inflammatory diseases of the eye and , and treatment of sight-threatening eye diseases. innovations in treatment are expanding as understanding evaluation with an eye care provider can clarify cause and glaucoma. of dry eye disease increases. and treatment options. One area of focus is , a disease that “I have watched with pride as the students causes the cornea to thin and change to a more Baseline treatments of dry eye disease include Symptoms of dry eye disease affect vision and ocular and residents I have taught now make conical shape than its normal gradual curve, greatly environmental modifications, dietary changes, comfort and can be worsened by many , their mark as practitioners and academic affecting vision. Another area of emphasis is age- lubricating treatments and adjustments. environmental factors, hormones and modern lifestyles faculty, not only in ophthalmology, but in related , which results in a loss Two new treatments for dry eye disease include that have us focusing our eyes on cell phones, computer every discipline of medicine,” Lippa said. of central vision because of damage to the macula at autologous serum and thermal pulsation (Lipiflow). screens and television. the back of the eye. Serum drops are extracted from a patient’s blood and “While the name ‘dry eye disease’ may sound innocuous, “The patients I have been privileged to care for over Websites, lectures, conferences, a toll-free help line turned into an eye drop. The growth factors, vitamins the symptoms of dry eye disease can be very severe in the years have given back heartwarming affection and newsletters will provide information and ways to and antibodies present in serum are the same as those many patients,” Wade explained. “If you suffer from dry in kind, and I will truly miss them.” cope with the diseases, updated research and clinical in natural tears. Serum drops help many patients who eye disease, you are not alone. Today there are many trial information, online support groups, live support have not responded to other treatments. Lipiflow is an treatment options that can be very helpful. Significant groups and educational programs. FDA-approved in-office treatment for meibomian gland research is underway to continue improving our ability dysfunction and dry eyes. Meibomian gland dysfunction to treat dry eye disease.” Linda S. Lippa, MD plays a large role in dry eye disease.

Endowing our future It’s easier than Event calendar Help continue our work through a gift to our endowment. you might think. 2015 monthly community lecture series

The purpose of our endowment is to financially • Charitable bequests Gavin Herbert Eye Institute will offer free lectures about Nov. 19, 2015 Sags and Bags | Dr. Jeremiah Tao sustain the mission and work of Gavin Herbert Eye • Beneficiary designations eye health. No registration is required, but seating is Dec. 17, 2015 Diabetic Eye | Dr. Mitul Mehta Institute at UC Irvine. You can make a significant • Charitable life estate limited. Join us! Parking is complimentary. contribution to endow our future … and it’s easier • Charitable life income plans For more information about the Gavin Herbert Eye Third Thursday of each month | 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. than you might think. To learn more about how you can make a Institute Lecture Series, please contact marketing director Archana Kaushal at [email protected]. Here are a number of charitable gift and estate significant gift to endow our future, please Gavin Herbert Eye Institute planning strategies that can benefit you and build contact us. 850 Health Sciences Road our endowment: 3rd floor Conference Room 949-824-6454 | www.plannedgiving.uci.edu Irvine, CA 92697

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