PERSPECTIVE 2014 ANNUAL REPORT Our Vision for the Future

Eyesight is a precious and priceless gift. A recent study by Research!America reveals that Americans rank the loss of sight among the leading threats to independence and quality of life, in many cases listing it ahead of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, and even the loss of limb.

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and the UAB Department of Ophthalmology are closely aligned and firmly committed to making a difference in the eye health of our community, the state, and the country. We’ve received national and international recognition for our ability to treat eye trauma, deliver outstanding and innovative patient care, conduct advanced research, and train the next generation of ophthalmologists.

Our mission is clear, and we have the science and expertise to fulfill it. However, the next few decades will present unique challenges. The prevalence of vision loss is expected to double in the United States by 2050, from 4.4 million people to 10 million-plus, according to Prevent Blindness America, a leading eye health and safety research group. It also projects that the total prevalence of cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and advanced age-related macular degeneration will increase 77% to impact 70 million adults by 2050.

We will respond by continuing to develop breakthrough techniques and cultivate knowledge and talent in an effort to suppress this troubling projection. Funding is crucial, though, and we would not be able to carry out our mission without the generous support of our dedicated funding partners. These include individual donors, alumni, and organizations such as The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, the International Retinal Research Foundation, and Research to Prevent Blindness. Throughout this report, you will find examples of how philanthropy has empowered us to deliver more advanced patient care and develop solutions to mitigate the growth of eye disease. So, a sincere thanks to each of you for the contributions that help us help others.

Thank you for reading Perspective to learn more about our accomplishments and our vision for the future of UAB Ophthalmology. Please let us know if we can be of service.

Sincerely,

C. Brian Spraberry, M.S.H.A. Christopher A. Girkin, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S.

President & Chief Executive Officer EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Chair, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital UAB Department of Ophthalmology Chief Medical Officer, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital

1 Table of Contents

HIGHLIGHTS

Growth...... 4

Who We Are...... 6

A Fresh Look for a ‘Complex Vision’ ...... 8

PATIENT CARE

Teamwork Saves a Child’s Vision for Life ...... 11

Eye Trauma Care Available 24/7...... 14

A Baseball Player’s Story...... 16

Complex Contact Lenses Keep Disabled Vet Rolling...... 18

RESEARCH FACULTY

Young Scientist Makes Strides in Reengineering the Eye ...... 21 New Faculty Members ...... 48

Seeking Cures for Age-Related Macular Degeneration...... 24 Faculty Listing ...... 49

Understanding Glaucoma Through Team Science...... 26 Leadership ...... 54

Diabetic Eye Screenings Via Telemedicine Show Value for Underserved Communities . . . . . 28 Board of Directors ...... 55

Understanding How the Brain Controls Eye Alignment...... 30 APPENDICES

GIVING BACK Publications...... 56

Seeing the World More Clearly ...... 33 Grants & Awards ...... 58

Renovation of Emergency Department and Lions Clinic Expands Access to Care...... 36 Invited Lectures ...... 60

EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY

Training Programs ...... 40 Seeing the Impact...... 62

Residents and Fellows...... 41 Vision for the Future ...... 64

Expanding Training Opportunities Through Research ...... 42 How to Help ...... 64

2 3 GROWTH: In order to meet the growing demand for eye care, UAB Ophthalmology has undergone a period of growth focused on expanding access to care GROWTH for patients and investing in promising lines of research . RESEARCH 55% GROWTH in number of publications by faculty members during the past five years. In 2014, PATIENT VOLUME GROWTH FOR CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL faculty published in the following areas: AND CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL CLINICS 91,151 83,645

80,000 20,787 65,211 63,239 64,074 20,300 60,000 18,303 18,379 18,594

40,000 70,364 63,345 46,617 44,936 45,695 20,000

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

n UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL CLINICS n UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL 39 38 SURGERY BREAKDOWN BY TYPE Cataract 43% 2014 Surgery procedures at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital range from UAB OPHTHALMOLOGY 2013 general ophthalmic cases such as cataract surgery to more complex retina and cornea procedures such as temporary ADDED 3 NEW ENDOWED keratoprosthesis vitrectomy (TKP) and radioactive implants for the treatment of ocular melanoma. In the past five years, FACULTY MOHS 3% POSITIONS IN 2014 glaucoma cases have increased 77%, cornea cases are up 29 The recruitment of top-notch 62%, and retina cases have risen 46%. Other 4% physicians and scientists has 2012 led to a 70% OVERALL NET Cornea 5% Retina 21% 24 INCREASE IN FACULTY DURING PEDIATRICS Glaucoma 9% THE PAST FIVE YEARS. 23 2011 Nearly tripled pediatric* patient case volume in the Plastics 15% 2010 past five years because our anesthesiologists are specialty trained to treat patients under the age of 2. OVER 11K 31% INCREASE OR SURGERY CASES Renewed focus and investment in research has translated to a 31% INCREASE in NIH funding in five years. *Pediatric is defined as ages 1-8. IN 2014 IN NIH FUNDING 4 5 WHO WE ARE: Patients come to UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and Clinics from near and far, Together, the experts at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and UAB Department of including all 67 counties in Alabama and 38 states across the nation. Ophthalmology are translating knowledge from bench to bedside to treat eye disease and improve eye health .

In 2014 we received DEDICATED MORE THAN 380 APPLICATIONS for EYE CARE FACILITY 5 RESIDENCY SPOTS

OVER 11,095 OR surgery 11K cases in 2014

1 in 4 cases at UAB Medicine is performed 1 IN 4 at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital

9 operating rooms PATIENT SATISFACTION 9 dedicated to eyes UAB AT A GLANCE

96% of surgeries OF ALABAMA completed by 5 pm DOCTORS ARE 96 80% TRAINED AT UAB

Home to 1 of only 2 OF Level 1 Ocular Trauma NUMBER OF + 1 2 Centers in the nation EMPLOYEES: 23,000

LARGEST ACADEMIC MEDICAL UAB Callahan Eye Hospital CENTER IN ALABAMA & ONE A VISION FOR consistently ranks among OF THE LARGEST IN THE AMC UNITED STATES OUR COMMUNITY the top 5% nationally in patient satisfaction for our Over the past five years, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and Clinics has contributed nearly $14.9 million* in assistance for eye care Emergency Department. In ECONOMIC BILLION and treatment of the underserved, underinsured, and indigent fact, we have the highest populations. We partner with The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, IMPACT: $5ANNUALLY which provides some offsetting support for charitable work. $14.9M patient satisfaction scores *Excludes pro bono work performed by our faculty and medical staff. Calculated from audited financial statements. in the state of Alabama.

6 7 “Many patients come to our facility with POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS cloudy vision and cannot see shapes and colors because of their eye disease . Dr . International Retinal Callahan wanted patients to have the Research Foundation

experi­ence of seeing very colorful fine Since its inception in 1997, the art after surgery . This sculp­ture was International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) has been committed commissioned as his gift to them ”. to accelerating and sustaining targeted research into the many diseases that – Brian Spraberry affect structures within the human eye. President & CEO, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Sandra Blackwood, The IRRF was co-founded by Callahan Executive Director Eye Hospital founder and namesake Alston Callahan, M.D., and the inherent bond between the two organizations fueled a rich history of collaboration in both science and mission support. In fact, the IRRF awarded Callahan Eye Hospital an unrestricted gift to perpetuate Dr. Callahan’s legacy; that generous support was leveraged with other donations to fund the restoration of “Complex Vision” by Yaacov Agam, the large kinetic art installation that has adorned the façade of Callahan Eye Hospital since 1976.

IRRF Executive Director Sandra Blackwood and Board President Michael A. Callahan, M.D., have been heavily involved in the restoration effort in honor of Dr. Callahan, who wanted patients to have the pleasant experience of Michael A. Callahan, M.D., and Brian Spraberry consult with artist Yaacov Agam on the seeing colorful fine art following surgery. The sculpture restoration of “Complex Vision”. was commissioned as his gift to them. It was removed and restored in 2014 and is scheduled for rededication A DETAILED RESTORATION in spring 2015. “Complex Vision” is composed of 69 aluminum panels, each measuring 13 inches wide by nearly 10 feet high Visit irrfonline.org to learn more. and weighing upward of 50 pounds. Local benefactors Marvin and Ruth Engel helped fund the original piece as a memorial to their parents, former patients of Callahan which incidentally mirrors the original motivation of the Eye Hospital. The Engel family is now involved in the hospital’s namesake Alston Callahan, M.D., a patron of restoration as well, providing support from The Engel the arts who commissioned the piece in the 1970s. Family Advised Fund. Other restoration supporters “Many patients come to our facility with cloudy vision include our foundation partners, the International Retinal and cannot see shapes and colors because of their eye Research Foundation, and The EyeSight Foundation of disease,” Spraberry said. “Dr. Callahan wanted patients A Fresh Look for a ‘Complex Vision’ Alabama, along with individual and employee donors. to have the experi­ence of seeing very colorful fine art after surgery. This sculp­ture was commissioned as his Rehabilitating such a massive installation is a detailed gift to them.” process, and the restoration involved many steps before by DON MILAZZO the first panel came down. Color samples were taken The restored artwork will be reinstalled at Callahan and from the faded panels and used as a starting point in rededicated in spring 2015. Patients and passersby will mixing the paint colors. A maquette, or small model, of again have the opportunity to visually interact with the The colorful but weathered panels that have adorned UAB “Complex Vision”, present different images depending on “Complex Vision” – which belonged to the Engel family treasured landmark the way it was originally intended. Callahan Eye Hospital since 1976 spent most of 2014 in the viewer’s position. and was prepared by Agam himself prior to starting the Florida, where they are undergoing extensive restoration. genuine article in the mid-1970 – was used for reference Agam, 86, lives in Paris and continues to practice his art. Nearly 40 years of sun exposure have taken a toll on the to preserve the original integrity of the artwork. Agam will During his 60-plus-year career he has produced a wide Those panels make up “Complex Vision,” one of the sculpture, leaving it badly faded. In April 2014, an Agam- re-sign the work when restoration is complete. variety of works in many mediums, including tile, stained earlier examples of kinetic art as envisioned by Israeli approved art restorer traveled to Birmingham to supervise glass, stainless steel, yarn, bubbles, fire and water artist Yaacov Agam, who in the mid-1950s began the removal and transport of the sculpture to undergo UAB Callahan Eye Hospital President and CEO Brian fountains, and even jewelry. He’s painted entire buildings. establishing himself as an early pioneer of optical restoration. Spraberry said he is excited to see “Complex Vision” Examples of his kinetic art, similar to “Complex Vision” at and kinetic sculpture. Most of these works, including being restored. Spraberry likens the process to the Callahan, can be seen in the world’s finest museums. renewed vision that occurs frequently at Callahan,

8 9 PATIENT CARE 11 Staff at the hospital emergency room sure weren’t what were seeing.they the Callahan They to sent the Powells HospitalEye at the University Alabama of at Birmingham. The was well eyes pressure in young Jalen Powell’s beyond appropriate and levels, glaucoma UAB specialist Christopher was called. Girkin, M.D., was dealing with pediatric said“Jalen glaucoma,” Girkin, who is chair Department the of UAB Ophthalmology. of BOB SHEPARD BOB Christopher Girkin, with patient M.D., Jalen Powell. One years five evening, Brittni ago, did what a lot Powell young mothersof do and gazed her into 2-month-old What eyes. she saw had Brittnison’s and her husband Byron heading immediately a Montgomery-area to hospital emergency department. glazy looked his“We and eyes into had they this gray, recalled. Powell knew “We that wasn’t them,” to tone right.” Teamwork Saves Saves Teamwork Vision a Child’s forLife by PATIENT CARE PATIENT 10 PATIENT CARE

“We see a lot of complex eye disorders ADVANCED EXPERTISE

PATIENT CARE PATIENT where there will be two or three surgeons working on one child’s eye… Fix the eye of a child and they see for the rest of their life ”.

– Christopher Girkin, M D. .

MD Learning Channel

UAB’s MD Learning Channel offers valuable educational opportunities that share the knowledge generated by UAB Ophthalmology. Watch Christopher Girkin, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S., Professor and Chairman of the UAB Department Mean change in interocular pressure for up to 12 months following surgery. of Ophthalmology and Chief Medical Officer of The interocular pressure after the new 360-degree trabeculotomy procedure is significantly lower than with traditional goniotomy. UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, discuss pediatric glaucoma treatment outcomes with the innovative Cogen tightened the muscles of the left eye to help in 360-degree trabeculotomy procedure. its alignment. early, within the first few weeks or months of life when Watch the video at the disease has just started and hasn’t done a lot of “Jalen is doing better than average, and I expect him to uabmedicine.org/perspective permanent damage, you can cure pediatric glaucoma and continue being a star player for the future,” Cogen said. enable a child to develop normal vision.” “In his last exam, he was seeing perfectly normally in both eyes. Both eyes were straight, and they were working Girkin notes Jalen was the first patient at UAB to undergo Girkin successfully operated on both of Jalen’s eyes together. I think he’s back on track.” a 360-degree trabeculotomy with an illuminated micro the day after his arrival at the Callahan Eye Hospital, catheter, which UAB research has recently shown to be but that was just the start of Jalen’s involvement with “Now that he’s older, we come up to the Callahan Eye superior to traditional goniotomy. UAB ophthalmologists. While Jalen had glaucoma in Hospital once a year just to keep track of his vision and both eyes, the left was worse than the right. That led to to check the pressure to make sure the glaucoma hasn’t “Our faculty are specialists in every aspect of the eye. amblyopia, or lazy eye. come back,” Brittni Powell said. We have retina specialists, cornea specialists and glaucoma specialists, who focus on different parts and Top: Martin Cogen, M.D., evaluates Jalen’s vision. That’s not likely, according to Girkin. Jalen may need different diseases of the eye,” Girkin said. “We see a lot Bottom: Jalen with his parents, Byron and Brittni Powell. “One of the problems with many eye diseases in children glasses or contacts, but the quick reaction by his parents of complex eye disorders where there will be two or three is that, if the eyes get off to a slightly different start, then saved him from serious vision problems. surgeons working on one child’s eye — one on the retina, “It’s uncommon, but in some children the drain of the eye the developing brain in a young child tends to favor the another on the lens or the cornea or the drain — trying does not form properly. It clogs, causing the pressure to dominate eye very quickly,” said Martin Cogen, M.D., Signs of pediatric glaucoma include the haziness the to get a severely damaged eye to function again in the go up very high, which can lead to massive damage to a pediatric ophthalmologist at UAB. “The brain thinks Powells noticed, along with pain, excessive tears, light youngest of our patients. Fix the eye of a child and they the optic nerve.” this is the new normal. The good eye develops as it is sensitivity, whitening of the cornea, and enlargement of see for the rest of their life. That’s a great impact.” supposed to, but the other eye gets ignored and left the eye. It’s a medical emergency that needs to be treated Left untreated, pediatric glaucoma can lead to blindness behind.” by appropriate medical professionals at once. Brittni and Byron Powell agree. within weeks or months of onset. Fortunately, it is relatively rare, about one in 10,000 births. The best news So it was with Jalen. The Powells made regular trips to The Callahan Eye Hospital, the only specialty eye hospital “This is the place to come,” Brittni Powell said. “I back is that it can be treated. Callahan to see Girkin and Cogen, while the physicians in Alabama, is uniquely equipped to handle complex this hospital 1,000 percent. I love this place.” worked to balance vision in both eyes. Cogen had to cases such as Jalen’s. “We have surgical procedures that can open the drain of patch the good eye to let the weaker left eye catch up. the eye and stabilize the pressure,” Girkin said. “If done Ultimately, Jalen underwent another operation, where

12 Watch this story at uabmedicine.org/perspective 13 PATIENT CARE

“We’re the only eye emergency room ADVANCED EXPERTISE

PATIENT CARE PATIENT in the state of Alabama and one of only a handful in the country . We’re available Pioneers in Eye Trauma 24/7, and if there is a question about The standard for ocular trauma care used around the world originated in one of the busiest eye care an eye injury of any kind, we encourage centers in the nation, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital. It is one of just two Level I ocular trauma centers in the people to come in and let us take a nation with a 24/7 eye emergency department, so trauma care providers across the state and region rely look .” on UAB expertise to give patients the best possible outcomes in restoring their sight. – Jay McCollum, M D. . More than 5,200 patients were treated for eye emergencies at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital in 2014, with injuries ranging from minor trauma such as corneal foreign bodies to more extensive injuries “Being a cornea specialist, I’ve seen too many injuries such as open globe trauma that required immediate, related to fireworks,” Fowler said. “And many of these complex surgical care in our operating room. In fact, occur in children and innocent bystanders and result in temporary keratoprosthesis vitrectomy (TKP), the permanent vision loss.” most advanced form of eye trauma reconstructive surgery, was pioneered and perfected at UAB The UAB Callahan Eye Hospital is the safety sponsor Callahan Eye Hospital. Few centers in the nation for Birmingham’s Thunder on the Mountain fireworks perform this procedure. show, and hospital officials strongly recommend that professional shows are the best way to enjoy fireworks. Numerous eye trauma associations and resources have been organized by UAB ophthalmologists or Eye Trauma Care “It’s better to just leave the fireworks alone and go are headquartered at Callahan Eye Hospital including: to a show like Thunder on the Mountain and let the Available 24/7 professionals do it,” McCollum said. “That’s the safest • The American Society of Ocular Trauma thing.” • The United States Eye Injury Registry by BOB SHEPARD • The International Society of Ocular Trauma But a doctor’s recommendation won’t be enough to • World Eye Injury Registry Fourth of July 2013: Family members were stop everyone from using fireworks. The American shooting fireworks in the backyard of Dianne Pyrotechnics Association says Americans spend $940 Peterson’s home in Vincent, Alabama, as she million each year on fireworks. Doctors at Callahan Eye walked out of the house. Hospital know they’ll be busy on Independence Day, and they are ready. “As I stepped out the back door, they were saying a firework went off; but they didn’t “We have the equipment, the staff, and the surgical know which way it went,” Peterson said. backup to deal with any type of eye injury,” McCollum Priscilla Fowler, M.D., examines Dianne Peterson in a follow-up appointment. “Then it hit my eye.” said. “We’re the only eye emergency room in the state of Alabama and one of only a handful in the country. We’re The damage to her left eye was severe. “We’re fortunate to have a 24-hour emergency room available 24/7, and if there is a question about an eye Peterson suffered a full laceration of the cornea along and the ability to do surgery relatively quickly,” said injury of any kind, we encourage people to come in and with bleeding and debris in the back of the eye and Fowler, an assistant professor in the UAB Department of let us take a look.” damage to the iris. She had a cataract caused by the Ophthalmology and director of the cornea service. “We trauma of the bottle rocket’s impact. were able to do surgery that night; many places don’t Peterson said there won’t be any fireworks at her house have those capabilities. I think that had a lot to do with this year. She’s always known they were dangerous, “Fireworks injuries are an emergency,” said Jay our success with Mrs. Peterson. Now she is able to wear but as so often happens, she didn’t expect an injury to McCollum, M.D., an ophthalmologist and director of a contact lens and achieve vision of 20/40, which, given happen to her. emergency services at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital. the severity of her injuries, is an excellent result.” “They can run the spectrum from a minor injury right up “I never dreamed that when I stepped out the back door to loss of vision or the loss of the eye.” Peterson is one of the lucky ones. Some 8,700 people that day, something like that would happen,” she said. Located on the first floor of the UAB Callahan Eye were injured by fireworks in 2012, according to the “They were doing the fireworks, and I said, ‘Guys, we Hospital, the UAB Eye Emergency Department really have to be careful.’ I have two small grandkids. I Peterson’s local hospital sent her to Callahan that night, Consumer Product Safety Commission, with most of provides the only 24/7 emergency department totally where eye surgeons Priscilla Fowler, M.D., and Doug those occurring in the 30-day period before and after the hate that it happened to me, but I’d rather it be me than dedicated to eye emergencies and eye trauma in Witherspoon, M.D., were still on duty. Instead of enjoying Fourth of July. More than 1,000 of those suffered injuries the children.” a Fourth of July celebration, she was undergoing surgery to the eye. Alabama and one of only two in the nation. at midnight.

14 Watch this story at uabmedicine.org/perspective 15 PATIENT CARE “New knowledge, new techniques, and I had improved to 20/30,” he said. “Without a frame of reference, I hadn’t even realized. I’m now at 20/20, but specialized tools have been created to it took four months from the date of the injury to get

PATIENT CARE PATIENT back to 20/20.” better manage eye trauma . Surgeons And Kendrick is back on the baseball diamond, slowly here have demonstrated that cases returning to the game he loves. He wears shatter-resistant lenses now to protect his eyes. His first couple of times in deemed hopeless by others may be the batter’s box were tough.

at least partially repairable ”. “It took me about a week or two of seeing a ball coming at me again to get comfortable,” Kendrick said. “I – Doug Witherspoon, M D. . remember flinching at a couple of balls that were nowhere close to me, but now I’m feeling a lot better.”

Kendrick is at risk for vision issues as he gets older due to Kendrick’s case wasn’t hopeless, but it was severe. the injury. He’ll need to be closely monitored for glaucoma “It’s a potentially blinding injury, and he was legally blind and retinal tear detachment. He’s got that covered — his for a number of weeks afterward,” Witherspoon said. father is an optometrist, and Kendrick is planning a career “We had to treat him pretty intensively with powerful in optometry as well. His experience as an eye patient at anti-inflammatory medications. He didn’t require surgical UAB has given him a unique perspective. treatment, although that was a possibility early on.” “It made me realize how amazing the eye is — to go And Witherspoon prescribed rest. Lots of rest. Kendrick from where I was to where I am now,” he said. “From not spent a week in bed, avoiding any stress on his eye. He being able to see my finger in front of my face to seeing wasn’t allowed to read or to move about. He couldn’t everything the way I could before, that’s pretty amazing.” even sneeze without risk to the slowly healing tissue in his left eye. Kendrick will wear protective lenses for the rest of his baseball career, and he recommends them for all athletes Kendrick couldn’t see anything with that eye for the first in any sport. Witherspoon echoes that recommendation. couple of days. As vision returned, the eye first was rated 20/200, the threshold to be declared legally blind. As “Wear eye protection at every chance you can,” he the medications and rest worked, his vision improved to said. “Seek professional help immediately if there is a A Baseball Player’s Story 20/80 and then plateaued. After three weeks at 20/80, suspicion of significant eye injury, and then follow your Kendrick began to doubt whether he would experience doctor’s advice after that.” by BOB SHEPARD any further improvement.

“It was just another regular day of practice, and we were “I went back for another follow-up visit, and they said doing some bunting drills,” Meade Kendrick said. UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL CLINICS Delivering the same outstanding vision care associated with He’s a red-shirt freshman baseball player at Samford UAB Callahan Eye Hospital to convenient locations throughout Birmingham. University. Those drills took place during fall practice last year, when Kendrick’s baseball career almost came to an end. Meade Kendrick’s vision is regularly evaluated by Doug Witherspoon, M.D. 59 11 1 UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL “It was my last bunt of the day, and the pitching machine of Ophthalmology. “It’s basically a blunt-force injury, a 1720 University Boulevard • Suites 406, 409, and 601 kind of threw me a pitch that was up and in a little,” he severe contusion injury to the eye from the impact of the Birmingham, AL 35233 • Phone: (205) 325-8620 65 recalled. “It hit the top of my bat and went straight to my baseball that he was bunting.”

eye.” 2 ST. VINCENT’S BIRMINGHAM CAMPUS 20 PLEASANT GROVE 2660 10th Ave. South • POB I, Suite 222 Kendrick was referred to Witherspoon after first going to Birmingham, AL 35205 • Phone: (205) 383-1003 2 The ball hit directly on Kendrick’s left eye. It smashed the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital emergency room, the only FAIRFIELD MOUNTAIN 1 BROOK the orbital bone and did severe damage to the retina and 24-hour, seven-day-a-week ocular emergency facility in HUEYTOWN 3 CHILDREN’S SOUTH OUTPATIENT CLINIC surrounding tissue. Kendrick fell back against the batting Alabama. 11 1940 Elmer J. Bissell Road • Suite B . Y 459 W 5 cage and put his hand to his eye. Birmingham, AL 35243 • Phone: (205) 325-8620 H R E P HOMEWOOD VESTAVIA U Witherspoon, an international expert in eye trauma, 59 S R E 4 MEDICAL WEST M 3 E 31 “Coach told me to take my hand off my face, and it was directs the hospital’s Ocular Trauma Center, one of only S 280 S E 985 9th Avenue SW • Suite 310 B just covered in blood,” Kendrick said. “He asked me to LAKESHORE PKWY. two such centers in the nation, as designated by the Bessemer, AL 35022 • Phone: (205) 481-7870 open my eye, and when I did, I didn’t see anything, just American Society of Ocular Trauma. BESSEMER 4

pure white. I remember asking if my eye was open, and 5 VESTAVIA

he said ‘Yes.’ That’s when I knew something was wrong.” “We have developed unprecedented expertise through 1009 Montgomery Highway • Suite 201 65 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 • Phone: (205) 325-8620 the volume of patients treated,” Witherspoon said. “New HOOVER “He had what is called a severe closed-globe injury to knowledge, new techniques, and specialized tools have 459 31 the eye,” said Doug Witherspoon, M.D., a professor in been created to better manage eye trauma. Surgeons the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department here have demonstrated that cases deemed hopeless by others may be at least partially repairable.” 16 Watch this story at uabmedicine.org/perspective 17 adequate fit or comfort with just the rigid lens. We use the PATIENT CARE “She had told me she was going to soft lens as a bandage to help with fit and comfort.”

change my life, and I thought, ‘Right, The two-lens combination did the trick. Henson could PATIENT CARE PATIENT I’ve heard this before,’” Henson said . see, and the lenses were comfortable.

“I wasn’t expecting a whole lot, to be “She had told me she was going to change my life, and honest with you . But she really did I thought, ‘Right, I’ve heard this before,’” Henson said. “I wasn’t expecting a whole lot, to be honest with you. But change my life ”. she really did change my life.”

– Jeff Henson With his contacts, Henson’s vision in his left eye is nearly normal. And now, he has a solo bike. Accompanied by 12 other veterans with disabilities, he rode his solo bike from Ottawa, Canada, to Washington, D.C., in the CanAm Veterans Challenge ride from World T.E.A.M. Sports this past summer.

“The other rides were great, but I couldn’t see anything as we rode,” Henson said. “I rode across the country but didn’t know what it looked like. On the CanAm ride, I was able to see everything.”

Henson dedicated the CanAm to the person who made it possible: Dr. Rosenstiel. “I call her my hero,” he said.

Carol Rosenstiel, O.D., uses a refractor to check Jeff Henson’s vision. Henson still has a tandem bike, and he’s still going to use it. But now, he’ll be the guy in the front seat, helping a particularly in cases such as Henson’s, where surgery or less fortunate rider. eyeglasses are not an option. Complex Contact Lenses Keep Disabled Vet Rolling “I think of where I came from to where I am today,” “We went through multiple trials of different contact Henson said. “I’m just going to enjoy the vision I have and by BOB SHEPARD lenses before I was able to determine that he actually use it. And try to encourage other people. You could be had very, very good visual potential,” Rosenstiel said. down, but sometimes you are not out.” Jeff Henson has been riding bikes for years. In 2012, Henson lost all vision in the right eye, while his left eye “I remember asking him if he was ready for his life to he rode a bike coast to coast across the United States. fell to 20/200. “I didn’t have any vision at all,” he said. “I change. And he said, ‘Absolutely.’” Before that, the Army veteran completed a long bike ride was at the point where I was running into doors; I couldn’t in France and several in the American Northwest, always see steps and would just run into walls. It was pretty life- Henson’s cornea was badly scarred from inflammation. ADVANCED EXPERTISE on a tandem bike and always from the back seat. He was changing.” Light entering the eye scattered and did not focus on not allowed to ride on the front seat, the steering seat. the retina properly. Rosenstiel prescribed a hard, gas- Jeff Henson was legally blind during those rides. Henson went through rehabilitation for the blind and permeable lens that created a new spherical refractive Contact Lens Care received mobility training. He got a white cane and surface on the front of the eye and allowed light rays to Henson, a native of Heflin, Alabama, who served nine Chauncey, a service dog. And he started riding bikes. focus accurately on the retina. It worked. Henson could UAB physicians have extensive years as a demolition specialist in the Army, developed He rode with veterans groups that held rides for disabled see, but the hard contact on his damaged cornea hurt. knowledge of contact lens options for patients of all ages. Our contact vision issues caused by arthritis and inflammation that military personnel. But he had to ride tandem, on the “She put the hard lens in and I could actually see the lines lens service, directed by Dr. Carol first struck his right eye in 2000. back seat. “I always wanted to ride by myself, but of on my hand,” Henson said. “But it hurt so bad I couldn’t Rosenstiel, is experienced in fitting course I couldn’t,” he said. wear it. She told me ‘Don’t worry about it,’ she would fix specialty contacts for patients with “I woke up one morning and I had this really bad that, too.” Carol Rosenstiel, O.D. complex eye problems, as well as headache,” Henson recalled. “My eye was watering so Then in 2013, during a routine visit at the Veterans those who prefer contact lenses as Rosenstiel added a second contact lens, a soft lens that much that I couldn’t control the tears running down my Administration Hospital in Birmingham, things changed. an alternative to eyeglasses. Our physicians continue Henson would wear underneath the hard lens. “We put face, and my head was hurting so bad I couldn’t stand for Henson’s physicians told him they were sending him to advance the contact lens subspecialty through a soft lens on the cornea first, and then placed the rigid my wife to walk on the floor. Every time she took a step, I to a special eye doctor at the University of Alabama at ongoing research and education, enabling them to offer lens on top of that,” she said. “We use that piggyback felt like my head was going to explode.” Birmingham. Carol Rosenstiel, O.D., is an optometrist advanced treatments for a variety of medical conditions approach when the patient needs the hard lens for who is the chief of the contact lens service in the UAB and visual needs. the optical correction but we are unable to achieve an His vision rapidly deteriorated. About a month later, Department of Ophthalmology. Rosenstiel specializes the same thing happened to his left eye. In short order, in using contact lenses to correct severe vision issues,

18 Watch this story at uabmedicine.org/perspective 19 RESEARCH

RESEARCH

Young Scientist Makes Strides in Reengineering the Eye

Rafael Grytz, Ph.D., using the portable organ culture system mounted on a confocal laser scanning microscope.

For research pursuits, Rafael Grytz, Ph.D., has always “The thought that my research may benefit human health blazed his own trail. That may explain how a civil engineer was, and still is, extremely motivating,” Grytz said. I chose from Germany became as an assistant professor in the the eye because my understanding of shell structures UAB Department of Ophthalmology. could be beneficial. Some engineers were working on biomechanical problems of the heart or the arteries, but Grytz applies to the eye principles he first learned as a little work was done on the eye.” civil engineer studying shell structures, such as church domes or cooling towers of nuclear power plants. Early in Grytz quickly realized that being a pioneer had its his career Grytz realized he wanted to pursue biomedical challenges, especially for a young researcher. Since he research. Having graduated at the top of his class, he had no collaborators and no experimental data during earned the chance to choose any area of study for his his doctoral work, Grytz had to adjust his thinking and doctoral research. He made the unobvious choice and approach his research from a different direction than selected the eye, specifically diseases that impact the other biomedical scientists. structure of the eye, such as glaucoma myopia and keratoconus.

20 21 RESEARCH “We collaborate across disciplines POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS

RESEARCH and bring diverse knowledge together . Thompson Foundation Our department in particular is very supportive of interdisciplinary work, and The Thompson Foundation was established about 15 years that is a great asset for our research ”. ago to continue the tradition of charitable giving started by Hall and Lucy Thompson. – Rafael Grytz, Ph D. . Hall Thompson was a notable Alabama business leader and served as the chairman of Thompson Realty Company as well as chairman and chief Michael Thompson, President executive officer of Thompson Tractor Company, Inc.

Mr. Thompson believed that every Alabama child should have an equal opportunity for good vision and was a dedicated supporter of the vision community in Alabama. He served on the Board of Trustees for both The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and Sight Savers America and helped those organizations expand eye care to underserved children in the state.

Drawing on his experience as a civil engineer, Grytz Currently Hall and Lucy Thompson’s son, Michael D. decided to take a bottom-up approach. He used his Thompson, serves as president of the Thompson Family knowledge of structures to predict how living tissue in Foundation. Like his father, Michael Thompson has been the eye changes when exposed to different mechanical active in Alabama’s vision community, serving on the forces. In his simulations, he exposed the eye to the Boards of Trustees for the Callahan Eye Hospital and the type of stress and strain associated with glaucoma, after EyeSight Foundation of Alabama. which the model predicted how the actual structural properties of the eye would change in response. The Thompson Foundation has continued to promote vision health through generous funding of UAB Serendipitously, while Grytz was working on his ophthalmology junior faculty members, such as Rafael computational models, biomedical engineer J. Crawford Grytz, Ph.D. This support jumpstarts the promising Downs, Ph.D., was collecting experimental data using research of young scientists and helps fund their novel techniques and instruments. As it turned out, innovative ideas. Grytz’s computational predictions precisely matched the Top: Rafael Grytz, Ph.D., latest computational model, which predicts that keratoconus experimental measurements collected by Downs, thus progression is due to abnormal degradation and micro-deformations of Top: Bladivia and Levy study the microstructure of the remodeling sclera with the Read more about vision health organizations supported strengthening both findings. collagen fibrils. portable organ culture system mounted on a confocal laser scanning microscope. by the Thompson family such as Sight Savers America on page 33. Bottom: Two graduate students, Alexander Levy and Sarah Baldivia, work with Grytz Bottom: The Grtyz lab is currently working to quantify the changes in the eye related Grytz and Downs both have joined the UAB Department in his laboratory. A portable organ culture system developed by his lab to image and to myopia, with the ultimate goal of finding treatments that can help control eye of Ophthalmology to form the core of a team for the quantify sclera remodeling during myopia is in the foreground. elongation from this common eye disorder. department’s Ocular Biomechanics and Biotransport “I am very thankful for the vision of Dr. Girkin and UAB “Many groups are studying different aspects of myopia Program. Using traditional engineering principles, this biomechanics symposium of the World Congress of Ophthalmology. It is unique to find a department willing such as the genetic factors that are involved or are trying multidisciplinary group of scientists is studying some Biomechanics. This was the most attention ever given to invest in new ideas before the rest of the field,” Grytz to understand how optical signals drive eye elongation,” of the most common eye diseases, such as glaucoma, to ocular biomechanics research by the general field said. “But I believe it will pay off and result in significant Grytz said. “But we want to measure the actual changes myopia, and keratoconus. of biomechanics. Grytz’s research is not only leading research breakthroughs.” in the microstructure of the sclera that cause the eye to in ophthalmology; researchers are now using similar elongate, because without that measurement how can we “These are difficult problems and complicated eye computational models to investigate other tissues Currently Grytz and his team are focused on quantifying tell if a potential treatment is effective?” diseases that cannot be solved by scientists from just and diseases. the microstructural changes in the eye related to myopia. one or two disciplines; it just isn’t enough,” Grytz said. Commonly known as nearsightedness, this condition “We believe quantifying the microstructural changes “So we collaborate across disciplines and bring diverse “We are confident the novel approach our ocular occurs when the eye becomes too long for its own optical in myopia will help more accurately identify effective knowledge together. Our department in particular is very biomechanics team is taking will lead to major advances system. treatments and push those treatments to patients faster,” supportive of interdisciplinary work, and that is a great in the treatment of blinding eye diseases. The strength he said. asset for our research.” of their research has already been seen through Again, fueled by his background in engineering, Grytz is unprecedented attention at major research conferences,” taking a direction radically different from other research Grtyz’s team plans to apply the techniques they develop Once on the periphery, the field of ocular biomechanics, said Christopher Girkin, M.D., The EyeSight Foundation of teams. By thinking outside the box, Grytz hopes to take for myopia treatment to other eye diseases such as and Grytz’s work specifically, is gaining recognition. In Alabama Chair of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology. not just small steps but instead move the field forward in keratoconus. 2014 Grytz was invited to co-organize the ocular leaps and bounds. 22 23 RESEARCH FACULTY EXCELLENCE RESEARCH Curcio Wins International Prize

Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is the recipient of the 2014 Ludwig von Sallmann Prize, awarded to an individual for significant contributions to vision Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D. research and ophthalmology. The prize is conferred by the Ludwig von Sallmann Foundation, which is named in honor of the internationally respected ophthalmologist and researcher, at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Eye Research.

This is Curcio’s third international award in 13 years for her research on the biology of aging and age-related macular degeneration using the Alabama Eye Bank as a resource. At the biennial meeting she also gave a lecture titled “What the Photoreceptors Taught Us About Their Support System In Aging and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.”

Multimodal imaging of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD), also called pseudodrusen Curcio is the director of the UAB Age-Related Macular clinically, from a patient diagnosed with AMD. The subject is an 83-year-old man Degeneration Histopathology Lab. Her research focuses (white non-Hispanic) with non-neovascular AMD (The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Seeking Cures for (AREDS) grade 7, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 20/30). (a), Digital color fundus on aging, age-related macular degeneration with photograph of 30° field of view. The yellow box (e) is 300 μm on a side (~1°), which emphasis on pathobiology, image validation through is digitally magnified by 10 times to reveal a solitary large SDD. (b), High-resolution histology, and collaborative genomics studies. Age-Related Macular image montage (grey) taken with AOSLO is overlaid on the fundus photograph. (c), A SD-OCT B-Scan taken along the green arrow-line in panel b shows that this SDD has The author or co-author of more than 90 journal articles, broken the photoreceptor EZ band and expanded into the ELM band, magnified in panel d. (d), magnification of boxed area in panel c. (e), An AOSLO high resolution image Curcio has presented abstracts at vision meetings Degeneration of the box in panel a and b. The bright spots outside the hyporeflective annulus are every year since 1985. She has delivered about 150 photoreceptors, mostly cones. (f), AO-OCT image scanned vertically across the SDD, invited lectures at major meetings, congresses, and by DON MILAZZO as indicted by the green arrow line in panel e. The green arrow points to the left side universities in North America and Europe. She serves Top: Yuhua Zhang, Ph.D., assistant professor of ophthalmology, works with an of panel f. The scale bar in F also applies to panel d and e. SD-OCT (panel c and d) is on the editorial boards of Investigative Ophthalmology instrument that can image the retina at the cellular level in three dimensions and shown with logarithmic grey scale. AO-OCT scan (f) has a linear grey scale. AO-OCT Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes central may help clinicians better understand diseases that cause age-related macular scan (panel f) is orthogonal to SD-OCT scan (panel c and d). & Visual Science, Current Eye Research, and Progress vision loss in millions of Americans, interfering with degeneration. in Retinal and Eye Research, and is a charter member everyday tasks such as driving, reading, and recognizing of Disease and Pathophysiology of the Visual System faces. Bottom: Subretinal drusenoid deposits are extracellular lesions between the Collaborative work between Owsley and renowned AMD study section. photoreceptors and their support cells, the retinal pigment epithelium. Recently scientist Christine A. Curcio, professor and Eminent revealed in patients by high-resolution clinical imaging and recognized as important The disease is most common among those ages 50 and risk factors for AMD progression, Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., provided the first extensive Scholar in Retina, indicated that testing night vision was Learn more about her research at older. Scientists are still studying what causes a healthy laboratory description of these lesions. effective in evaluating the progression of early AMD. projectmacula.cis.uab.edu eye to develop AMD and how the disease progresses to Through microscopic studies of donor eye tissues, cause vision loss. “By identifying risk factors for early-stage AMD we can Curcio discovered that photoreceptors used for night start treating this disease as we would other chronic vision are the first to be impacted by AMD. This led to an Although treatment is available, it cannot begin until health disorders,” said Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., evaluation called the dark adaptation test, which isolates In addition, a new generation of noninvasive clinical the later stages of the disease, after vision problems the Nathan E. Miles Endowed Chair in Clinical Research night vision, as well as a new FDA-approved diagnostic imaging technology promises to allow scientists to have already started. UAB Medicine is focusing on and lead investigator in the ALSTAR study. “We all know instrument, which is commercially available and used to identify even earlier stages of AMD at the cellular understanding the earliest stages of AMD, hopeful that it that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, and therefore administer the test. level. Known as adaptive optics assisted imaging, this will lead to the next generation of treatments and, ideally, smoking cessation and smoking prevention programs technology enables Yuhua Zhang, Ph.D., assistant a way to prevent it. can be very helpful in reducing cancer rates. Similarly, Through the ALSTAR study, Owsley and Curcio also are professor of ophthalmology, to create extremely high- we want to identify the major risk factors for early AMD formulating measurable and defined goals associated resolution images of photoreceptors in a living retina. Through the Alabama Study on Early Age-Related so that we can help patients at the earliest stages, before with AMD treatment, known as endpoints, which could By using this imaging on dozens of patients with all Macular Degeneration (ALSTAR), UAB researchers vision loss begins.” help expedite future clinical trials. stages of AMD and on healthy eyes, Zhang is generating seek to identify the specific characteristics that make data that are crucial to detecting and monitoring AMD. some people more prone to AMD. More than 600 older The difficulty in measuring the initial progression of “Many groups are developing new treatments for AMD,” Alabamians have been enrolled in the three-year clinical the disease is a major obstacle to developing AMD Owsley said. “But before a new drug can come to market, “With this information we can show early damage caused study, which tracks eye health and potential AMD risk treatments. Traditional vision tests such as eye charts are it has to be proven effective in clinical trials. Right now by the disease as well as assess the rescue of the cells factors such as diet, smoking, and levels of blood of little use, since the loss of eyesight normally doesn’t it would be difficult to prove AMD drugs were working created by new treatments in clinical trials,” Zhang said. proteins and lipids. The research team hopes that an begin until the later stages of AMD. This poses problems during the early stages of the disease because there is a “One day physicians may be able to use adaptive optics analysis of the data collected during ALSTAR will point to for new treatments because there isn’t a way to gauge a lack of endpoint measures.” imaging to detect the earliest stages of AMD and help certain risk factors that can be targeted with preventive new drug’s effectiveness during clinical trials. stop the disease before it severely impacts vision.” 24 medicine. 25 RESEARCH This team of biomedical engineers, POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS

RESEARCH molecular and cellular biologists, and clinician-scientists are building upon The EyeSight Foundation the UAB Department of Ophthalmology’s of Alabama

expertise in optic nerve head (ONH) The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama structure and biomechanics to further (ESFA) awards grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Alabama in understand the mechanisms linking keeping with its mission to improve ocular connective tissue behavior and eyesight through education, research, and access to care. central nervous system axon damage Torrey DeKeyser, Executive Director in glaucoma . Since its establishment in 1997, ESFA has provided generous and steadfast support to UAB and the department of ophthalmology. During that time, ESFA has awarded grants totaling more than $50 million to UAB—making it the university’s largest donor.

Led by Executive Director Torrey DeKeyser and a volunteer board of trustees, ESFA provides much- needed funding to a variety of vision initiatives at UAB, including indigent care, core research support, mental Understanding Glaucoma health services for persons with vision impairments, improving access to care for those at risk for The overlaid images show that cyclic strain induced peripapillary scleral fibroblast senescence (blue and flattened cell) and myofibroblast differentiation (red cell) on a glaucoma, adult eye care in the Alabama Black Belt, Through Team Science flexible silicone elastomer membrane. and WBHM’s Alabama Radio Reading Service for the blind and print-impaired. by MEGAN YEATTS • Yong Zhou, Ph.D. — Department of Medicine, UAB School of Medicine Christopher Girkin, M.D., holds The EyeSight Currently the UAB Department of Ophthalmology is Top: 3-D reconstruction of the lamina cribrosa from a normal human eye, showing • Joel Berry, Ph.D. — Department of Biomedical Foundation of Alabama Chair of Ophthalmology. spearheading a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to the regional variation in laminar density and beam orientation, the tensile strain in the Engineering, UAB School of Engineering accelerate glaucoma research. beams themselves for an IOP increase of 30 mmHg, and the LC cells that respond to Learn more at www.eyesightfoundation.org mechanical strain by remodeling the laminar load-bearing structure. This team of biomedical engineers, molecular and cellular Glaucoma impacts more than two million Americans, biologists, and clinician-scientists are building upon the making it the second leading cause of blindness in Bottom: A team of researchers from five departments and three schools across UAB’s campus is working together to further understand glaucoma. UAB Department of Ophthalmology’s expertise in optic the world. Despite this, the underlying mechanisms of nerve head (ONH) structure and biomechanics to further development and progression of glaucoma are still poorly “Our combined expertise allows us to use very research program, and we are proud to be funding understand the mechanisms linking ocular connective sophisticated approaches to mimic the biomechanical understood. At UAB, our researchers believe the search partners with UAB in support of his goal to reach new for a cure to glaucoma will be found only via a well- tissue behavior and central nervous system axon damage forces that damage the optic nerve head in glaucoma, heights in extramural funding,” said Torrey DeKeyser, in glaucoma. and then test the effects of these forces on the cellular coordinated team science approach. executive director of the foundation. “The research pathways,” Murphy-Ullrich said. “We believe that acceleration initiative enhances that opportunity through This unique group is investigating cellular pathways our improved models, combined with our multiple “UAB’s collaborative culture fosters large, matching grant support for research in ophthalmology in human donor eyes, animal models, and in vitro cell perspectives on the disease, will significantly advance our multidisciplinary research teams that are necessary to as well as in other departments such as vision cultures from the tissue level all the way down to the produce high-impact research on complex diseases such sciences, biomedical engineering and pathology, where understanding of how vision loss occurs in glaucoma and collagen fibril, cell, and molecular levels. This will allow as glaucoma,” said J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D., vice chair interdisciplinary studies are underway. This collaborative identify new targets for therapy.” the team to build a comprehensive framework for of research in UAB Department of Ophthalmology, who approach helps all scientists involved, and we see that as is leading the joint research effort in conjunction with optimizing our investment.” understanding the mechanisms at play in glaucoma The team aims for this collaboration to yield Joanne E. Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D., professor in the UAB development and progression. groundbreaking preliminary data that will be the Department of Pathology. The multidisciplinary team includes: foundation to apply for a large, multi-investigator Extensive resources at UAB, including unparalleled Bioengineering Research Partnership grant from the NIH. The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, a generous • J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D.; Massimo Fazio, Ph.D; access to donor tissue samples with clinical philanthropic partner, saw how this group approach could Christopher A. Girkin, M.D.; Rafael Grytz, Ph.D.; records, advanced imaging capabilities, and custom “This novel research will help us understand the root and Brian C. Samuels, M.D., Ph.D. — Department of magnify impact and established a research acceleration instrumentation designed and built specifically for this causes of glaucoma and open the door for preventative Ophthalmology, UAB School of Medicine grant that brings together scientists across three schools research project, create an environment that allows and potentially targeted treatment. That means instead and five departments at UAB. • Tom Norton, Ph.D. — Department of Vision Sciences, unprecedented control of long-term experiments to of the reactionary approach physicians must take to UAB School of Optometry understand tissue damage. treatment today, we could employ proactive, offensive “The EyeSight Foundation Board of Trustees has techniques that would prevent vision loss from glaucoma embraced Chairman Chris Girkin’s ambitious plan for • Joanne Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D. — Department of before it begins,” said Christopher Girkin, M.D. expanding the breadth and depth of the ophthalmology Pathology and Cell Biology, UAB School of Medicine

26 27 RESEARCH “This study suggests that telemedicine FACULTY EXCELLENCE

RESEARCH lends itself to screening and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy . It is cost- Two faculty members named to effective and expands the reach of leadership posts in ARVO screenings by accessing regions that Two faculty members were named to may be experiencing a shortage of leadership posts within the Association for ophthalmologists and optometrists ”. Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). – Cynthia Owsley, Ph D. . J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D., was named chair-elect of the ARVO J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D., and Animals in Research Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D. Committee, and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., was named chair-elect of the Ethics and Regulations in Human Research Committee. Both took on duties Diabetic Eye Screenings Via Telemedicine Show of chair-elect following the close of the 2014 annual meeting. Both will assume the role of chair immediately Value for Underserved Communities following the 2015 annual meeting for two-year terms. “I can’t think of two more appropriate or deserving by BOB SHEPARD scientists to serve in these roles,” said Christopher Girkin, M.D., MSPH, chair of the UAB Department Eye screenings of people with diabetes in underserved • A total of 1,894 people participated in the of Ophthalmology. “ARVO is our preeminent vision communities revealed that one in five had early stage screening program at multiple sites, with 21.7% research organization, and these appointments reflect diabetic retinopathy, according to a new study by a A patient undergoes this simple eye screening in which a nonmydriatic camera is used an appreciation of their high-quality work and vast having diabetic retinopathy (DR) in at least one eye. to take three images of the eye. The images are then sent to a central facility research consortium including investigators at the for evaluation. experience. Both Dr. Downs and Dr. Owsley are great University of Alabama at Birmingham. assets to our department and to ARVO.” • The three sites that were clinics (Birmingham, the study. “This study indicates that, if we can reach this The findings, published today in JAMA Ophthalmology, Ala.; Miami, Fla.; Winston-Salem, N.C.) had similar population at local clinical facilities with an inexpensive also indicated that nearly half of the mostly minority rates of DR (23.5%-24.3%), whereas the site that screening process, we can diagnose diabetic retinopathy be experiencing a shortage of ophthalmologists and populations screened had additional vision conditions was a pharmacy (Philadelphia, Penn.) had a lower early, when there is time to prevent or slow vision loss.” optometrists.” such as glaucoma or cataract. The study, which used a rate (15.8%). telemedicine screening approach, also provided early Owsley said early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy allows The clinical screening locations were in Miami, run by validation of the efficacy of telemedicine in reaching for disease progression to be monitored more effectively. co-investigators from the University of Miami; Winston- underserved populations. • The most common type of DR was background Glycemic control — controlling blood sugar at appropriate Salem, N.C., with co-investigators from Wake Forest levels — is a key element in slowing the onset and University and Johns Hopkins University; and UAB. DR, which was present in 94.1% of all participants Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye progression of the disease. Previous research has shown The pharmacy location was in Philadelphia, with co- disease and a leading cause of blindness in American with DR. that screening is effective at lowering the rate of people investigators from Wills Eye Hospital, who also read adults. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at with sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy at subsequent images from the other sites. screenings. risk, and the National Eye Institute estimates that between • Participants with DR had a longer duration 40 and 45 percent of Americans with diabetes have some Owsley suggests the study should be deployed on a of diabetes than did those without DR stage of diabetic retinopathy. The screening method was relatively simple, using a larger scale, focusing on clinical settings in underserved (mean, 13.7 vs 8.8 years; P < .001). nonmydriatic camera to take three images of the eye. A areas across the nation. The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and nonmydriatic camera does not require dilation of the eye. The images were sent to a single facility for reading, with “We know that there are barriers to regular vision care Prevention, screened 1,894 people at four urban clinic • Almost half of the participants (44.2%) had or pharmacy settings in the United States that served results then delivered back to the study locations. For the for minorities, and we also know that eye diseases ocular findings other than DR; 30.7% of patient, the non-invasive process is not time consuming. such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract predominantly ethnic/racial minorities and uninsured other ocular findings were cataract. The camera’s simple operation requires no advanced are prevalent in minority populations,” Owsley said. people with diabetes. Twenty-one percent had diabetic training for operators. “This study indicates that screenings can detect a retinopathy in at least one eye. The vast majority of those significant number of eye conditions at an early stage. A cases, 94 percent, had early stage diabetic retinopathy, “This study suggests that telemedicine lends itself telemedicine approach can be a cost-effective method of which does not cause vision impairment itself but is “Among ethnic/racial minorities with diabetes, the rate of to screening and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy,” reaching people who might otherwise go on to develop a warning sign that serious retinal problems may be annual eye care is low, somewhere between one-third and Owsley said. “It is cost-effective and expands the severe, potentially blinding disease.” starting. Forty-four percent had other vision issues; 30 one-half,” said Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., professor in the reach of screenings by accessing regions that may percent of those were cataract. UAB Department of Ophthalmology and lead author of 28 29 RESEARCH 30 Paul Gamlin, Ph.D., calibrates an infrared optometer to dynamically measure where the eye is focused. where Ph.D., eye infrared measure the an focused. todynamically is calibrates optometer Gamlin, Paul Award for Amblyopia Research in 2014, in Research Award will Amblyopia for Gamlin Disney Lilly and RPB/Walt prestigious of the recipient a As brain. the eyes the and between relationship the Paul D. Ph.D., Gamlin, scientist UAB vision studies young adults. and children in blindness of monocular cause amajor is eye,” to “lazy amblyopia as untreated referred eye. Often to favor other brain the the causing turn in brain, the with properly to interact fails it eye one in because reduced is vision amblyopia, with 100 For those children. of every 2to 3out approximately affecting children, in impairment of visual cause common most the is Amblyopia by Understanding How the Brain Controls Eye Alignment MEGAN YEATTS MEGAN not aligned properly and point in different directions. directions. different in point and properly aligned not eyes the are strabismus, In of amblyopia. cause main a is which strabismus, study will team his said Gamlin eyes when malfunctioning do not align normally.” are mechanisms to what uncover knowledge that use then and eye alignment controls brain how normal the to is understand goal “Our said. alignment,” Gamlin eye how controls it to determine learning, motor in involved is which cerebellum, the “We to want study eye alignment. involved is controlling in investigate how cerebellum the strabismus and amblyopia,” Gamlin said. said. amblyopia,” and Gamlin strabismus for to develop new we therapies able be will mechanisms brain normal the by that understanding “We hope temporary. be may only improved, it is vision Or, improve vision. if significantly not does it eyes, but of improve alignment the may cosmetically this cases eyes. certain the In to align eye the muscles altering surgically at aimed is strabismus for treatment Current eye. misaligned the to ignore learns brain the because amblyopia in results often strabismus pediatric Untreated eye abnormal alignment. and normal toboth contribute areas brain these how order tounderstand in cerebellum the region and this both tostudy there aneed is Therefore strabismus. results in that misalignment abnormal the also but alignment are hypothesizes eye normal only involved not in Gamlin that cerebellum the of areas the with region are interconnected pontine this in Ruber. Neurons -Nucleus RN nuclei; -Pontine PN Conjunctivum; Brachium of -Decussation DBC nucleus. precerebellar Tegmenti Reticularis (NRTP), Pontis amajor Nucleus the arecording in site shows This diagram (III). nucleus oculomotor level the of at the section acoronal of A diagram – Paul D when eyes do not align normally malfunctioning mechanisms are what and then use that knowledge to uncover normal brain controls eye alignment Our goal is to how understand the determine how it controls eye alignment which is involved in motor learning, to “We want the to study cerebellum, .Gamlin, Ph . D . . ” . detection, treatment, or cures for amblyopia. for cures or treatment, detection, into improved research for scientists ophthalmic to respected funds award provides 2002. in The Research Award Amblyopia for Disney Lilly RPBthe Walt and Miller, Disney of Walt Disney,Diane daughter created funding.” NIH for to apply possible willbe it where place to get a us awardlike willhelp this,” “This said. Gamlin of research new lines for funding to be not would secure we private philanthropic partners visionary “Without research. his award jumpstart will RPB/Disney the but project, this for funding NIH to secure hopes eventually He path. research innovative this to explore Gamlin for possible it makes to Prevent Blindness $100,000 Research The award from POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS Prevent Blindness Prevent to Research Learn more at rpbusa.org 2008. since of Medicine UABthe School $2.18 totaling pledges includes to made million This research. of disease-oriented range adiverse in engaged scientists vision talented of of hundreds work the country,the supporting in institutions scientific leading 50 than to more Today, funding eye research major RPB provides years. 50 past the in loss of vision treatment and understanding the in breakthrough major every nearly with associated have been RPB researchers aresult, As facilities. laboratory eye and research equipment, to provide manpower, scientific technological support grant in of dollars of millions hundreds committed RPB has objective, of this pursuit In Brian F. Hofland, Ph.D. F.Brian Hofland, PresidentRPB

destroy sight. conditions that damage and all for cures and preventives by developing treatments, vision restore and to preserve is mission whose eye research supporting organization health voluntary leading (RPB) the is to Prevent Blindness Research

31 RESEARCH GIVING BACK GIVING

GIVING BACK

Seeing the World More Clearly

Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., M.S., M.S.P.H., with patient Anaya Williams.

The UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation partners “We look for tools that will allow these children to do all with Sight Savers America to provide vision evaluations the things you and I do without any extra effort,” said and free assistive devices for children whose families Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., M.S., M.S.P.H., director of the center might otherwise not be able to afford that care. and an associate professor in the UAB Department of Ophthalmology. “The broadest, easiest-to-remember In cases where vision can’t be restored, the center strives definition of ‘low vision’ is vision that is not adequate to help patients maximize use of their remaining vision for your needs. We identify and evaluate a child’s needs through rehabilitation. Children with vision impairment based on their unique visual system, their hobbies, and that cannot be remedied surgically or with medication their activities. It’s highly individualized care. Some kids need tools to assist them with everyday visual tasks. need bifocals even at a young age; another may need a magnifier or even a video magnifier.”

32 33 GIVING BACK GIVING “Our National Institutes of Health-funded POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS

GIVING BACK research has found that many children with vision impairment suffer from Songs for Sight symptoms of visual fatigue . Their main Songs for Sight was created in 2008 by coping mechanism is holding things very Alie B. Gorrie, a patient of the UAB Center close to see them . Do that all day and for Low Vision and Rehabilitation, to raise you will have eyestrain ”. funds, awareness, and understanding of Alie B. Gorrie, founder, Songs for Sight – Dawn DeCarlo, O D. ,. M S. . low vision. Through her love of music and performing, Gorrie conceived musical events to support the center and UAB Ophthalmology. Two concerts in Helping patients achieve independence, or at least move 2009 and 2011 raised more than $840,000. beyond total dependence, is the core purpose of the The organization helps children and teens with low rehabilitative efforts at the center. That’s why the phrase vision in a variety of ways. In addition to youth support- “life-changing” is an expression used by those who have group activities, the funds raised by Songs for Sight enjoyed success there. help the Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation provide eligible patients with electronic video magnification Sight Savers and UAB used their partnership to organize devices, orientation and mobility services, and bioptic a day-long clinic that changed numerous lives by driving devices. providing more than 10 children with assistive devices free of charge. The clinic functions as a one-stop shop, In 2014, Songs for Sight was awarded the inaugural offering evaluation, training, and assistive devices. Hall Thompson Hero for Sight Award by Sight Savers America. Read more about this award, which is Children receive training on their EVMs at the clinic. “It is a great day for families,” DeCarlo said. “They can go displayed on a 25-foot-long dedication wall in the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, on page 45. home with all the visual tools they need that day. So we A video magnifier (EVM) is an expensive device. Like student stops studying due to tired eyes and settles see a lot of smiles around here.” Visit songsforsight.org to learn more. many assistive devices used in low vision rehabilitation, for the B.” EVMs are not covered by insurance. That’s where UAB’s collaboration with Sight Savers America, an Alabama- That’s a key issue for many parents of children with based organization that provides vision assistive low vision. Apart from inconvenience and quality of life technology and other eye care services to low-income issues, any obstacle to reading is an obstacle to success ANAYA WILLIAMS: A Success Story children, pays off. in school. A high-tech assistive device can help a child almost completely surmount that obstacle. Anaya Williams, 13, who has glaucoma, once complained that reading books up “Before Sight Savers was providing EVMs, the machine close for long periods made her neck ache – especially while doing homework was out of reach for families,” DeCarlo said. “It costs “The amazing thing about the electronic video magnifier and studying for tests. between two and three thousand dollars. Now Sight is that it gets so much text up on the screen at one time, Savers is there to provide what they need, so no child is you can actually sit back and read comfortably,” DeCarlo Anaya was referred to the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation by Wendy being left behind with vision impairment in Alabama. They said. “If a kid can read 50 words per minute holding a Marsh-Tootle, O.D., M.S., associate professor at the UAB School of Optometry, who has been taking care of Anaya’s vision for many years, and glaucoma just need to be identified, and they’ll get what they need. book two inches away from her face, but she reads 150 specialist Wade Joiner, M.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Sight Savers believes in evaluation, so our collaboration words per minute with a video magnifier, homework Ophthalmology. ensures that the money is spent in the best possible way.” time just got dramatically reduced. That’s when we hear parents saying, ‘I don’t have to fight with them to do their Dawn DeCarlo, O.D., M.S., the center’s director, evaluated Anaya’s vision and determined that she was a The importance of these tools is underscored by eye homework anymore.’” candidate for an electronic video magnifier (EVM), an expensive assistive device not covered by insurance. DeCarlo referred her to a Sight Savers clinic that was held at UAB Callahan Eye Hospital in August 2014. Anaya fatigue concerns that have recently been highlighted in attended the clinic with her grandmother, Anaya McKinnon, where they received EVM training. They went home research specific to children with low vision. DeCarlo noted that parents find creative solutions to help with an EVM provided by Sight Savers at no cost to the family. their children with homework, but the EVM provides an “Our National Institutes of Health-funded research has independent solution. Like most teenagers, Anaya may be a bit more excited about her new ability to read her favorite book than the found that many children with vision impairment suffer ability to do homework without headaches. But McKinnon is certainly pleased that reading will no longer be a visual chore for her granddaughter. For both of them, the collaboration between Sight Savers and the UAB from symptoms of visual fatigue,” she said. “Their main “A child can do homework like the other kids without Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation resulted in a day of smiles. coping mechanism is holding things very close to see sitting next to a mom, dad, grandparent, or whoever has them. Do that all day and you will have eyestrain. So to be their eyes. Being completely independent is a skill instead of studying 30 minutes more to get an A, a they will need when they go off to college,” she said. 34 Watch this story at uabmedicine.org/perspective 35 GIVING BACK GIVING “This renovation marked an important POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS

GIVING BACK step forward for Callahan Eye Hospital, as it allowed us to implement many Alabama Lions Sight changes that will benefit patients and allow our ophthalmologists to deliver Alabama Lions Sight is a program of the even better care to the community and Lions Clubs of Alabama that promotes sight conservation through research, our emergency department visitors ”. education, detection, and treatment. It – Brian Spraberry funds much-needed eye care services and President & CEO, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital provides vision screenings for thousands of children and adults each year.

Since the founding of UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, the Lions Clubs of Alabama has helped provide quality eye care to low-income citizens in our community. Together, we have helped change the lives of Alabamians and opened their eyes to the future.

Visit alsca.org to learn more.

Durden Dean, Christopher Girkin, M.D., Brian Spraberry ED Lions Club Donors UAB Callahan Eye Hospital President and CEO Front row from left: Durden Dean, Torrey Van Antwerp DeKeyser, Brian Spraberry, Sandra Blackwood; Back row from left: Lowell Bonds, Robert C. Field, J. Frank Moore, III Brian Spraberry said he appreciates the donors who funded the project, including the Carl G. and Pauline CARL G. AND PAULINE B. BUCK TRUST Renovation of Emergency Department and B. Buck Trust, The Eyesight Foundation of Alabama, Lions International and Lions Clubs of Alabama, the CY PRES GRANT International Retinal Research Foundation, and a Lions Clinic Expands Access to Care Cy Pres Grant. by DON MILAZZO THE EYESIGHT FOUNDATION “This renovation marked an important step forward for OF ALABAMA The UAB Callahan Eye Hospital completed an important captures three-dimensional images of the eye. As part of Callahan Eye Hospital, as it allowed us to implement project in summer 2014, renovating its emergency the project, the Lions Eye Clinic was relocated from the many changes that will benefit patients and allow our INTERNATIONAL RETINAL department (ED) and Lions Eye Clinic to better serve second floor to be adjacent to the ED, so that diagnostic ophthalmologists to deliver even better care to the RESEARCH FOUNDATION patients. The Lion’s Eye Clinic serves lower-income equipment can more easily be shared and treatment community and our emergency department visitors,” patients by providing eye exams, individual and suites may be used during periods of ED overflow. Spraberry said. “We are very fortunate to have supporters family training, and referrals for low-vision assistance, Wheelchair accessibility also was improved. who believe in our mission and share LIONS INTERNATIONAL AND transportation, and other services. our vision.” LIONS CLUBS OF ALABAMA In addition to the OCT system – which provides detailed Officially unveiled during a ceremony on July 31, the images of the eye for ocular diagnostic purposes – Callahan Eye Hospital is among the leading facilities of ANONYMOUS DONOR remodeled space on the hospital’s ground floor features the renovated space features technology such as the its kind, and it is home to one of only two Level 1 Ocular a diagnostic center with new exam chairs and a new LENSTAR LS 900 A-scan and a Pentacam, both of which Trauma Centers in the United States with a 24/7 eye optical coherence tomography, or OCT, system that enhance diagnostic capabilities. emergency department.

36 37 EDUCATION

EDUCATION

RESIDENT PROCEDURE VOLUME CAREER PATH FOR Average total procedures performed by RESIDENTS 1000 each resident during their training During the past 10 years our residents have 500 chosen the following specialties: 800 400 845 Comprehensive...... 13 793 779 420 412 772 722 389.4 405.2 600 366.4 365.4 376 Retina...... 10 300 Cornea...... 9 400 200 Oculoplastics ...... 6 200 100 Glaucoma...... 5 0 ? Pediatrics...... 5 0 200720102008 20112009 201020122011 20132012 20132014 2014 GRADUATING CLASS Neuro-Ophthalmology...... 2

RESIDENTS PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE EYE CARE FOR NEARLY 9,000 LOW-INCOME

38 ALABAMIANS IN 2014. 39 EDUCATION 40 research track if they choose. they if choose. track research in-depth amore in participate can interested those Additionally,the department’s renowned researchers. with project aresearch complete also and subspecialty clinical every from faculty with train Residents Children’s and UAB of Alabama. Hospital, System, Health Mercy Center, Green Medical Cooper Veteran’s Birmingham the including Affairs facilities various at experience diverse offers also program The cases. to of volume varied ahigh exposure trainees gives Eye UAB Hospital, the at Callahan located room, 24-hour eye region’s emergency The dedicated only of ophthalmology. excel any in area to needed experience the trainees provides program of well-rounded The ophthalmologists. generation next the for of knowledge foundation exceptional an offers and state the in program training ophthalmology only the is fellows. It and residents, students, medical for programs UAB provides training comprehensive Ophthalmology Training Programs OUR GRADUATESOUR PRACTICE OPHTHALMOLOGY ACROSS NATION. THE Where Our Are Alumni? first year of medical school. school. of medical year first following their students for fellowship research a summer as or school, of medical year third or second the during experience two-month intensive an is activity, which are available a either scholarly as opportunities research These future. the in ophthalmology towant pursue they if to determine necessary experience the students medical provides program competitive This research. clinical or laboratory either in interested students medical for of ophthalmology areas all in opportunities research of offers ophthalmology department The MEDICAL OPPORTUNITIES STUDENT neuro-ophthalmology, retina. and oculoplastics, glaucoma, in available are Fellowship opportunities surgery. in responsibility increasing given fellows are System.Health the year-long Throughout program, Mercy Green Cooper and Veteran’s Hospital, Affairs Eye UAB Hospital, at Callahan clinics outpatient at and room operating the in residents with role a supervisory Fellows have experience. fellows extensive UAB offers practice, clinical career.a rewarding high-volume As to one propel can UAB with Ophthalmology A fellowship FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ALUMNI ALABAMA IS HOME TO South Carolina South TOP 5STATES OUR ALUMNI CALL HOME: CALL Alabama Georgia OF OUR OF Florida Texas

Residents and Fellows and Residents Katherine Donnithorne,Katherine M.D. THIRD-YEAR RESIDENTS THIRD-YEAR Jewel Sandy, M.D. Ryan Burton, M.D. Burton, Ryan Neuro-ophthalmology Rushil Rao, M.D. Rushil Jennifer Doyle, M.D. Doyle, Jennifer Jay Glover, M.D. Glover, Jay Shawn Agee, M.D. Agee, Shawn Retina Daniel Kasuga, M.D. Kasuga, Daniel Mark Kosko,Mark M.D. Glaucoma Retina SECOND-YEAR RESIDENTS John Parker,John Jr., M.D. Pooja Godara, M.D. Pooja Godara, David Neely,David M.D. Carter Kirk, M.D. Kirk, Carter Kevin Bray, M.D. FELLOWS Jordan Spindle,Jordan M.D. Deepthi Reddy,Deepthi M.D. Oculoplastics Retina FIRST-YEAR RESIDENTS Elizabeth Keeble, M.D. Keeble, Elizabeth Michael Rolfson, M.D. Rolfson, Michael William Gannon, M.D. Gannon, William Austin Gerber, M.D.Austin Adam Quinn, M.D. Quinn, Adam Vikram Saini, M.D. Saini, Vikram Nick Tosi,Nick M.D. Retina Retina

41 EDUCATION EDUCATION “UAB has always been known as FACULTY EXCELLENCE

EDUCATION an outstanding clinical and surgical program, and it is exciting to be on the Read named to endowed forefront as it incorporates research, professorship

which will help the program continue Russell W. Read, M.D., Ph.D., to gain national recognition ”. was named the inaugural holder of the Max and Lorayne Cooper Endowed Professorship – David Neely, M .D . in Ophthalmology Residency Training.

Pooja Godara, M.D., is researching “Dr. Read has been instrumental in positioning ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) with our residency program as a leading program for J. Crawford Downs, Ph.D., and the UAB educating the ophthalmologists of tomorrow. Ocular Biomechanics and Biotransport This professorship is well-deserved and will Program. Her work focuses on provide Dr. Read with the resources to continue characterizing OPP fluctuations on a to strengthen our outstanding program,” said second-by-second basis using novel Christopher A. Girkin, M.D., M.S.P.H., professor methods Dr. Downs developed to constantly track intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations. IOP is a known risk and EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Chair. Above: An eye with advanced keratoconus after Bowman Layer implantation, which appears almost indistinguishable from a healthy, factor for glaucoma, and recently Dr. Downs’ work has unoperated eye. shown that IOP is much more dynamic than previously The UAB program is the only ophthalmology thought. Increasingly, OPP is receiving attention as a Right: Only on high magnification, slit-lamp biomicroscopy is the transplanted Bowman layer visible as a thin white line, running residency program in the state. Each year the through and supporting the patient’s cornea. possible risk factor for glaucoma. This clinically relevant program selects five residents from more than research has allowed Dr. Godara to broaden her 350 applicants. The residents receive training understanding of a disease she routinely treats in her clinical training. from knowledgeable ophthalmologists and Expanding Training Opportunities benefit from clinical experience in an innovative David Neely, M.D., is working with facility. The robust program also offers Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., to determine interested residents the opportunity to receive in Research the prevalence of subretinal drusenoid training in basic science research. deposits (SDD) in normal eyes and those The class of 2016 is the first group of ophthalmology as it incorporates research, which will help the program with early or intermediate age-related Dr. Read, who joined the faculty in 2000, has residents to participate in a new academic training continue to gain national recognition,” he said. macular degeneration (AMD). A pathway, which is intended for residents who have genome-wide association study to identify served as the residency program director decided to pursue a career in academics upon Participating residents stressed that, rather than single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with SDD is since 2008. His clinical practice and research completion of training. Three of the five residents in this distracting from training, the academic focus actually planned. Dr. Neely developed an interest in AMD are focused on ocular immunology and inaugural class are participating. Although all trainees enhances their experience. research during medical school at UAB. He plans to inflammatory diseases of the eye. He is a participate in research during residency, this new pursue a career as a clinician-scientist and said the well-known ophthalmologist and has received opportunity allows interested residents a more intensive “I plan to continue on to fellowship after my residency, relationships he developed as part of this project are the Research to Prevent Blindness Physician research experience to prepare them for careers as because I do love being a physician. But participating in invaluable to his future success. clinician-scientists. clinically relevant glaucoma research has expanded my Scientists Award. The executive secretary for the understanding significantly,” said Pooja Godara, M.D. Jack Parker, M.D., has used his research American Uveitis Society, Dr. Read serves on the “In recent years the emphasis on research has been “Now when I see a patient in clinic I have a more robust time to directly pursue improved clinical board of directors of the Alabama Academy of increased across the department, and we wanted the understanding of elevated eye pressure, one of the key and surgical treatments for corneal Ophthalmology and on the editorial board of the training program to also reflected that new depth,” said risk factors in glaucoma.” disease. Parker is working with renowned Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation Russell W. Read, M.D., Ph.D., the Max and Lorayne Dutch ophthalmologist, Gerrit Melles, and Infection. Cooper Endowed Professor for Ophthalmology Residency The three residents are in the midst of research that M.D., Ph.D., on an innovative new surgical Training. will culminate in a podium presentation at the 2016 procedure for advanced kerataconus. Dr. UAB Department of Ophthalmology Annual Clinical Melles began mentoring Dr. Parker when he emailed the Dr. Read received his medical degree from Those who participate work with a faculty mentor on and Research Symposium. In the meantime they well-known ophthalmologist about his medical school UAB in 1994 and completed his residency a research project of their choice. The academic path are collecting data, building relationships with other final project. Since then the two have kept in touch, at the University of Washington in Seattle. provides protected research time during the second year researchers, and submitting for publication and inclusion and, as a part of this resident research opportunity, He completed dual fellowships in uveitis/ of residency, which allows the trainees to complete an in scientific meetings such as the Association for Dr. Parker was able to spend five weeks in Rotterdam ocular inflammatory diseases and ophthalmic 18-month project. Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) training and researching the new procedure. Through this pathology at the Doheny Eye Institute/Keck annual meeting. experience Dr. Parker learned how to perform the surgery David Neely, M.D., said this opportunity was one of and published four scientific journal articles about the School of Medicine of USC and received a the main reasons he chose UAB for residency. “UAB Drs. Godara, Neely, and Parker comprise the first class research. He hopes to start performing the surgery in the doctorate in microbiology from UAB in 2007. has always been known as an outstanding clinical and of participants. Their research topics are as follows: United States working with his father, cornea specialist surgical program and it is exciting to be on the forefront John Parker, M.D.

42 43 EDUCATION 46 M.D., served as this year’s medical chair for the event. the for chair year’s this as M.D., medical served Mullins, Sara UAB ophthalmologist 2009. in Birmingham in inception its of VisionWalk since fundraiser and supporter Birmingham. VisionWalk is a signature event fundraising of the Foundation Fighting UAB active an Blindness. been has VisionWalk in annual 6th the cosponsored of Ophthalmology UAB Department and Eye UAB Hospital Callahan The 2014 25, October VISIONWALK howon to eye prevent injuries. tips offering and of fireworks dangers the addressing press national and M.D., local the in Jay McCollum, featured were Trauma Fowler, Level 1Ocular Priscilla Eye Center. UAB Hospital the Callahan M.D., UABabout ophthalmologists and awareness raise and to to leave professionals, fireworks consumers encourage of fireworks, dangers the on public the to educate opportunity an provided sponsorship The Mountain. the on Thunder celebration, fireworks of July Fourth of Birmingham’s Sponsor Safety official the was safety, Eye of fireworks advocate an UAB Hospital the Callahan As 2014 4, July SPONSORSHIPTHUNDER MOUNTAIN ON THE SAFETY FIREWORKS University of Minnesota University Neurosciences Visual and of Ophthalmology Department Chair Research Vision Endowed Larson Robert and Elaine Associate Professor Deborah Ferrington, A. Ph.D. Zero at The Mitochondria Ground Degeneration: Treatment Macular for Age-Related Strategies Developing and Mechanisms Disease Defining 2015 4, February Eye Institute Scheie The of Medicine School Perelman of Pennsylvania University Ophthalmology Director, International and Ophthalmic Epidemiology Service Inflammation Director, Ocular Professor Epidemiology of and Ophthalmology M.D., Kempen, H. Ph.D. John Eye Diseases? With Patients for Approach a Safe Therapeutic Is Immunosuppression Systemic 10, 2014 December Center Eye Shiley Diego San of California, University Professor Ph.D. Goldberg, L. Jeffrey Ophthalmology,Regenerative to Bench Bedside 2014 8, October Australia Director, Eye for Research Centre Managing of Melbourne University Professor of Ophthalmology Anderson Ringland M.D., Crowston, G. Ph.D. Jonathan of theChallenges Aging Eye 27,August 2014 ophthalmology. the and of field across vision science collaboration. and intellectual routinely spark discussion Lectures from topics of cutting-edge overview to an provide chosen are areas of study arange from UAB. at Speakers scientists vision top-notch by hosting discovery scientific to energize seeks 22ndNow its Series in year, Lecture Rich the 2014-2015 SERIES LECTURE RICH to patients. help equipped better they be will disease, and eye health about knowledge Ocular, Pain.” Facial additional and “Headache, gain or employees As Surgery” Cataract of Basics “The as such give presentations residents eye. the and Ophthalmology of ophthalmology understanding abetter with care, involved patient in directly not even those to employees, provide aims seminar monthly This Monthly LEARN LUNCH AND alike. physicians attending and residents for opportunity learning excellent an it making cases, difficult these managing in expertise their offer and knowledge to share have opportunity an physicians community and UAB Both faculty modalities. treatment emerging new and Typically, highlight often and dilemmas diagnostic management that and represent challenging cases present residents Monthly ROUNDS GRAND University of Pennsylvania Associate Professor of Ophthalmology M.D., Ph.D. Stambolian, Dwight Eye Disease? Complex of Studies Genetic from have WeWhat Learned 2015 20, May University Indiana Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Professor, of Optometry School Ph.D. Burns, A. Stephen Diabetes and Hypertension Adaptive Optics Imaging of the Inner Retina in 2015 22, April University of Wisconsin Sciences & Visual Ophthalmology Department Professor Ph.D. W. Nickells, Robert Cell Death Ganglion Retinal of Study the through Protein BAX Pro-apoptotic intoInsights the Activation Function and of the 2015 8, April University of Houston Chair, of Sciences Basic Department Professor Moores Rebecca and John Ph.D. Harwerth, S. Ronald and FunctionLinking Structure in Glaucoma 2015 4, March

47 EDUCATION New Faculty Members Faculty Listing FACULTY FACULTY

MIYOUNG KWON, PH.D., joins the UAB Department of Ophthalmology FACULTY EXCELLENCE MICHAEL A. ALBERT, JR., M.D. R. JEFFREY CRAIN, M.D. as an assistant professor. Dr. Kwon’s EDUCATION: EDUCATION: research focuses on understanding how Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Medical School: University of Alabama eye disorders impact the way visual Alabama at Birmingham at Birmingham information is processed in the brain and Rhodes named to prestigious Fellowship: Retina Consultants of Alabama Residency in Ophthalmology: University of how the brain learns to see the world Alabama at Birmingham in degraded viewing conditions. Her ultimate goal is to Leadership Development class ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: identify factors that limit visual performance and use this Associate Professor ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: understating to improve the functional vision of those with by Bob Shepard Director, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical visual impairment. Center Ophthalmology Service; Associate Lindsay A. Rhodes, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology “We are delighted that Dr. Kwon has joined our faculty. assistant professor in the ANN MARIE ARCINIEGAS-BERNAL, M.D. Her research on how the brain processes visual Department of Ophthalmology EDUCATION: information in persons with various eye disorders is at the University of Alabama Medical School: University of Alabama at cutting-edge and is critical for developing effective at Birmingham, was named Birmingham CHRISTINE A. CURCIO, PH.D. treatments and rehabilitation strategies for persons with to the American Academy of Internship: Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit EDUCATION: vision impairment,” said Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., M.S.P.H, Ophthalmology’s Leadership Henry Ford Brown University, Biology professor and Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology. Residency in Ophthalmology: Undergraduate Degree: Development Program Class Hospital, Detroit Graduate Education: University of Wisconsin- of 2015. This prestigious Dr. Kwon obtained her Ph.D. in cognitive and biological Fellowship: W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, Madison; University of Rochester, Ph.D., program represents a University of Michigan Anatomy psychology from the University of Minnesota. After Lindsay A. Rhodes, M.D. commitment by the AAO to Postdoctoral Fellowship: Boston University, graduation, she was a postdoctoral researcher ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: develop future leaders. School of Medicine; University of Washington associated with the computational and functional vision Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology lab at the University of Southern California. Most recently, School of Medicine The group comprises 20 ophthalmologists from Dr. Kwon completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: at the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical across the United States and one international Professor of Ophthalmology School. appointee. Rhodes, who joined the faculty in 2013 RITA ARMITAGE, M.D. upon completion of her glaucoma fellowship and EDUCATION: She currently is a member of the Vision Sciences residency at UAB, has taken an active role in the Society (VSS), the Association for Research in Vision and Medical School: University of Kentucky ophthalmic community. Residency in Ophthalmology: University of DAWN K. DECARLO, O.D., M.S., M.S.P.H. Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). Alabama at Birmingham EDUCATION: “Dr. Rhodes’ selection for this program comes as no Postgraduate Training: University of Alabama at ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: surprise to those of us who have known her since Birmingham, Doctorate of Optometry, M.S., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology her residency,” said Russell W. Read, M.D., Ph.D., Physiological Optics M.S.P.H., Epidemiology professor and ophthalmology residency program Residency Training: Hines Central Blind SARAH C. GORDON, O.D., joined the UAB director. “She functioned from the beginning as a Rehabilitation and Chicago West Side Department of Ophthalmology faculty leader and has been active in advocacy efforts from MARTIN S. COGEN, M.D. Veterans Administration Medical Center in fall 2014. Dr. Gordon is a Mississippi the earliest stage of her career in ophthalmology. EDUCATION: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: native and graduate of the UAB School The Academy’s LDP made an excellent choice, and Medical School: University of Alabama Associate Professor of Ophthalmology; of Optometry. She founded her practice, we look forward to her progression into ever greater at Birmingham Director, UAB Center for Low Vision Inverness Eye Care, in 1986. She is past levels of leadership.” Rehabilitation president of the Alabama Optometric Internship: University of Alabama at Birmingham Association and served on the board of trustees for Rhodes also serves on the board of directors for the Residency in Ophthalmology: University of the Southern Council of Optometry. As a UAB faculty Alabama Academy of Ophthalmology and on the Alabama at Birmingham member, Dr. Gordon will participate in initiatives aimed at Young Ophthalmologist Advocacy Subcommittee of Fellowship: James Hall Eye Center/ J. CRAWFORD DOWNS, PH.D. expanding access to tertiary care for her patients. the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital EDUCATION: Undergraduate Degree: Tulane University, “Dr. Gordon is a talented optometrist, with whom ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: “I am very excited about the opportunity to develop Economics we’ve shared patients for many years, and we are glad Chief of Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology to welcome her into our faculty. This is an exciting leadership skills that will help me make positive Graduate Education: Economics (M.A.); and Strabismus, Professor of Ophthalmology partnership that directly benefits patients by improving changes to the field of ophthalmology and improve Biomedical Engineering (M.S. and Ph.D.) their access to care,” said Christopher A. Girkin, M.D., the care we provide our patients,” Rhodes said. Postdoctoral Fellowship: LSU Eye Center; EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Chairman, UAB Louisiana State University Health Department of Ophthalmology. “As eye care needs Rhodes is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and Sciences Center continue to increase, it is important that we develop glaucoma specialist. She also is involved in clinical integrated models for care delivery like this one to better research focused on developing new strategies to ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: serve our community.” provide quality, cost-effective glaucoma care to a Professor of Ophthalmology; Vice Chair of rapidly growing aging population. Research; Director, Ocular Biomechanics and Biotransport Program

48 49 Faculty Listing Faculty Listing FACULTY FACULTY

LAURA DREER, PH.D. PAUL D. GAMLIN, PH.D. D. WADE JOINER, M.D. ANDREW MAYS, M.D. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: EDUCATION: EDUCATION: Undergraduate Degree: Central Michigan Undergraduate Degree: University of Cambridge, Medical School: University of South Alabama Medical School: University of Alabama at University, Psychology England College of Medicine Birmingham Graduate Education: University of Hartford, Graduate Degree: State University of New York Internship: Carraway Methodist Medical Internship: Carraway Methodist Medical Center, Clinical Psychology (M.A.); Central Michigan Stony Brook (Ph.D.) Center, Birmingham Birmingham University, Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Postdoctoral Training: University of Alabama Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Postdoctoral Fellowships: Duke University at Birmingham Alabama at Birmingham Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center (neuropsychology); University Glaucoma Fellowship: Glaucoma Fellowship: University of Florida ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: of Alabama at Birmingham (Medical New York Eye and Ear Infirmary Professor of Ophthalmology ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Rehabilitation Psychology) SECONDARY APPOINTMENTS: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Professor, Department of Neurobiology; Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Associate Professor of Ophthalmology; Professor, Department of Psychology; Director, Psychological & Neuropsychology Professor, Department of Biomedical Clinical Research Services Engineering; Senior Scientist, Vision Science CECIL JAMES MCCOLLUM, M.D. Research Center; Senior Scientist, School of LANNING B. KLINE, M.D. EDUCATION: Medicine Center for Aging; Senior Scientist, EDUCATION: Medical School: University of Alabama Civitan International Research Center Medical School: Duke University at Birmingham ANDREW W. EVERETT, M.D. Internship: Duke University Residency in Ophthalmology: University of EDUCATION: Residency in Ophthalmology: McGill University Alabama at Birmingham Medical School: University of South Alabama Fellowship: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute & Fellowship: Duke University Internship: Birmingham Baptist Medical Center, CHRISTOPHER A. GIRKIN, M.D., Montreal Neurological Institute ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Birmingham M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S. ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Director of Emergency Services, Clinical Residency in Ophthalmology: University of EDUCATION: Professor of Ophthalmology Assistant Professor Alabama at Birmingham Medical School: University of Arkansas Fellowship in Glaucoma: University of Alabama Internship: University of Arkansas at Birmingham Residency in Ophthalmology: University of ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Alabama at Birmingham Department of VIRGINIA LOLLEY, M.D., F.A.C.S. GERALD MCGWIN, M.S., PH.D. Ophthalmology Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology EDUCATION: EDUCATION: Wilmer Eye Institute & Fellowship: Medical School: Tulane University School Undergraduate Education: University of Vermont Shiley Eye Center of Medicine Graduate Education: Harvard University, M.S.; ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Internship: Carraway Methodist Medical Center University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ph.D. RICHARD M. FEIST, M.D. EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Chair, Residency in Ophthalmology: University of ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: EDUCATION: Alabama at Birmingham UAB Department of Ophthalmology; Professor of Ophthalmology; Associate Medical School: University of Alabama Chief Medical Officer, UAB Callahan ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Director, Clinical Research Unit at Birmingham Eye Hospital Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Illinois, Eye and Ear Infirmary Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery SARA MULLINS, M.D. Fellowship: University of Iowa RAFAEL GRYTZ, PH.D. JOHN O. MASON, M.D. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: EDUCATION: Medical School: LSU Health Sciences Civil Engineering, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Graduate Education: Medical School: University of Alabama Shreveport Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany at Birmingham Residency in Ophthalmology: University of (M.S. and Ph.D.) Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Alabama at Birmingham Fellowship: Devers Eye Institute, Alabama at Birmingham Portland, Ore. ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: PRISCILLA FOWLER, M.D. Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery Clinical Instructor EDUCATION: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Fellowship: Wills Eye Hospital, Medical School: University of South Alabama Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Philadelphia Internship: Baptist Health System, Birmingham SECONDARY APPOINTMENTS: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Assistant Professor of Biomedical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Alabama at Birmingham Engineering Fellowship, Cornea and External Disease/Refractive Surgery: Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Director, Cornea Service; Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

50 51 Faculty Listing Faculty Listing FACULTY FACULTY

LINA NAGIA, D.O. CAROL ROSENSTIEL, O.D., F.A.A.O. JASON C. SWANNER, M.D., F.A.C.S. C. DOUGLAS WITHERSPOON, M.D., F.A.C.S. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: EDUCATION: EDUCATION: Residency in Ophthalmology: Valley Hospital Undergraduate Degree: University of Alabama Medical School: University of South Alabama Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Medical Center, Las Vegas at Birmingham College of Medicine Alabama at Birmingham Fellowship, medical retina: Koch Eye Associates, Postgraduate Training: University of Alabama Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Fellowship, Vitreoretinal: University of Tennessee Warwick, R.I. at Birmingham School of Optometry Alabama at Birmingham ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Fellowship, neuro-ophthalmology: Michigan State Fellowship: Massachusetts Eye and Ear ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Professor of Ophthalmology University Infirmary, Harvard School of Medicine Associate Professor of Ophthalmology; ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Director, Contact Lens Service ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Professor of Ophthalmology JEFF YEE, M.D., M.S. EDUCATION: BRIAN C. SAMUELS M.D., PH.D. Undergraduate Degree: UCLA, chemistry CYNTHIA OWSLEY, PH.D., M.S.P.H. EDUCATION: MARTIN THOMLEY, M.D. Graduate Degree: UCLA, physical chemistry EDUCATION: Medical School: Indiana University EDUCATION: Medical School: University of California-Irvine Undergraduate Education: Wheaton College, Internship: IU/Methodist Hospital Translational Medical School: University of Alabama at Internship: White Memorial Medical Center, Norton, Mass. Year Residency Program Birmingham Los Angeles, CA Graduate Education: University of Alabama at Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Residency in Ophthalmology: Bascom Palmer Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Birmingham, M.S.P.H., Epidemiology; Cornell Alabama at Birmingham Eye Institute South Florida University, Ph.D., Psychology Clinical and Research Fellowships in Glaucoma: Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery Fellowship: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Postdoctoral Training: Northwestern University, Duke University Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Medical Director, Lions Eye Clinic; Psychology, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Professor of Ophthalmology; Nathan E. Miles Chair of Ophthalmology; Director, Clinical Research Unit; Vice Chair of Research YUHUA ZHANG, PH.D. Administration JENNIFER T. SCRUGGS, M.D. MICHAEL S. VAPHIADES, D.O. EDUCATION: EDUCATION: EDUCATION: Undergraduate Education: Tianjin University, Undergraduate Degree: Wake Forest University Medical Internship: Brown University China Medical School: University of Arkansas for Residency in Neurology: Loyola University, M.S., Optical Engineering: Chinese Sciences RUSSELL W. READ, M.D., PH.D. Medical Sciences Chicago Academy, China EDUCATION: Internship: Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology: Michigan Ph.D., Precision Metrology & Instruments Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Residency in Ophthalmology: Emory University State University Engineering: Tianjin University, China Washington Seattle Fellowship, Oculoplastic Surgery: New York Post-doctoral Training: Beijing Institute of ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Fellowship, uveitis/ocular inflammatory disease: University, Columbia University, New York Eye Technology; Auckland University, Chief, Neuro-Ophthalmology and Doheny Eye Institute, University of and Ear Infirmary, and Manhattan Eye, Ear New Zealand Electrophysiology Services; Professor Southern California and Throat Hospital of Ophthalmology, Neurology and ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Neurosurgery Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Max and Lorayne Cooper Professor for Associate Professor of Ophthalmology; Ophthalmology Residency Training; Director, Division of Oculoplastic Surgery Director, Uveitis/Ocular Inflammatory Disease Service; SHU-ZHEN WANG, PH.D. Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology EDUCATION: HAROLD SKALKA, M.D., F.A.C.S. Graduate Education: Virginia Polytechnic EDUCATION: Institute & State University Medical School: New York University Previous Appointments: Wilmer Eye Institute, LINDSAY RHODES, M.D. Internship: Greenwich Hospital Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine EDUCATION: Residency in Ophthalmology: New York University ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Medical School: Northwestern University Fellowship: New York University Professor of Ophthalmology Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Residency in Ophthalmology: University of Professor of Ophthalmology Alabama at Birmingham Fellowship, glaucoma: University of Alabama at Birmingham

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

52 53 Leadership 2014 – 2015 Board of Directors LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP The UAB Callahan Eye Hospital and Ophthalmology Services Foundation would like to recognize the members of their boards of directors for their dedicated service. Their leadership and guidance have positively impacted the growth and UAB CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL success of both organizations, and we greatly appreciate their invaluable contributions.

CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

JOAN C. RAGSDALE, J.D. VIRGINIA LOLLEY, M.D. Chair of the Board UAB Callahan Eye Hospital MedManagement, LLC Medical Staff President Founder and Chief Executive Officer DANNY MARKSTEIN, IV S. DAWN BULGARELLA, C.P.A., M.S.H.A. Markstein C. BRIAN SPRABERRY, LIBBY BAILEY, MYRA AULTMAN, KAREN BURLESON, UAB Health System and UAB School of Medicine Managing Director M.S.H.A. C.P.A., F.H.F.M.A. C.R.N.A., M.N.A., M.S.H.A. C.C.P., C.B.P. Chief Financial Officer and Senior Associate Dean President & Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Nursing Officer AVP Human Resources/ for Administration and Finance DAVID RANDALL Risk Management UAB Health System MICHAEL CALLAHAN, M.D. Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning Callahan Eye Clinic, PC and Business Development

UAB DEPARTMENT OF OPHTHALMOLOGY AND CALLAHAN EYE HOSPITAL CLINIC WILL FERNIANY, PH.D. DEAK RUSHTON UAB Health System James Rushton Foundation Chief Executive Officer President

CHRISTOPHER A. GIRKIN, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S. SELWYN VICKERS, M.D. EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair, UAB, Senior Vice President UAB Department of Ophthalmology; UAB School of Medicine, Dean Chief Medical Officer, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital STEPHEN A. YODER REID JONES UAB School of Business UAB Health System Assistant Professor & Executive in Residence CHRISTOPHER A. GIRKIN, M.D. J. CRAWFORD DOWNS, PH.D. CYNTHIA OWSLEY, PH.D. RUSSELL W. READ, M.D., PH.D. Chief Operating Officer EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Vice-Chair of Research Vice-Chair of Research Administration Max and Lorayne Cooper Endowed Chair, UAB Department of Ophthalmology; Professor for Residency Training CHRISTOPHER KELLY, M.D. Chief Medical Officer, UAB Callahan UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Eye Hospital Chief of Staff

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA OPHTHALMOLOGY SERVICES FOUNDATION

MARY NABERS DOYLE, M.D. CATHY D. TURNER, C.P.A. Pediatrician Executive Administrator Mayfair Medical Group UAB Department of Ophthalmology JASON SWANNER, M.D. RETT GROVER CATHY D. TURNER, C.P.A. CASSANDRA J. PAGE, P.H.R. Medical Director, Operations Administrator, Executive Administrator Personnel Manager UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Clinic UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Clinic WILL FERNIANY, PH.D. SELWYN VICKERS, M.D. UAB Health System UAB, Senior Vice President Chief Executive Officer UAB School of Medicine, Dean

CHRISTOPHER A. GIRKIN, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S. STEPHEN A. YODER EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair, UAB School of Business UAB Department of Ophthalmology; Assistant Professor & Executive in Residence JACKIE WOOD, M.ED. Chief Medical Officer, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Senior Director of Development C. BRIAN SPRABERRY, M.S.H.A. Office of Development, Alumni, and External Relations UAB Callahan Eye Hospital UAB Callahan Eye Hospital President & Chief Executive Officer UAB Department of Ophthalmology Phone: 205.325.8526 • Email: [email protected]

54 55 Publications Publications APPENDICES

APPENDICES AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION Wang SZ, Yan RT. The Retinal Pigment Epithelium: a Convenient Miki A, Medeiros FA, Weinreb RN, Jain S, He F, Sharpsten L, Huisingh C, McGwin G Jr. Quantitative measurement Rodriguez, IR, Clark ME, Lee JW, Curcio CA. 7-ketocholesterol Source of New Photoreceptor cells? J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2014; Khachatryan N, Hammel N, Liebmann JM, Girkin CA, Sample of interocular suppression in anisometropic amblyopia. accumulates in ocular tissues as a consequence of aging and is 9: 83-93. PMID: 24982737 PA, Zangwill LM. Rates of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning in Ophthalmology. 2014; 121. PMID: 24461585 present in high levels in drusen. Exp. Eye Res. 2014; 128: 151-155. glaucoma suspect eyes. Ophthalmology. 2014; 121: 1350-1358. PMID 25261634 Meadway A, Wang X, Curcio CA, Zhang Y. Microstructure PMID: 24629619 Increased Intracranial Pressure in Spontaneous CSF Leak of subretinal drusenoid deposits revealed by adaptive optics Patients Is Not Associated with Papilledema. Aaron G, Doyle Curcio CA. Mice with cholesterol in Bruch’s membrane: have imaging. Biomed Opt Express. 2014; 5: 713-727. PMID: 24688808 HEALTH DISPARITIES & SERVICES J, Vaphiades MS, Riley KO, Woodworth BA. Otolaryngol Head we arrived? Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 7296. PMID Maclennan PA, McGwin G Jr, Heckemeyer C, Lolley VR, Hullett Neck Surg. 2014; 151: 1061-1066. PMID: 25248848 25404642 GLAUCOMA S, Saaddine J, Shrestha SS, Owsley C. Eye care use among a Yousefi S, Goldbaum MH, Balasubramanian M, Medeiros FA, high-risk diabetic population seen in a public hospital’s clinics. OCULAR INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS/UVEITIS Ach T, Huisingh C, McGwin G Jr, Messinger JD, Zhang T, Bentley Zangwill LM, Liebmann JM, Girkin CA, Weinreb RN, Bowd C. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014; 132: 162-167. PMID: 24310149 Levy-Clarke G, Jabs DA, Read RW, Rosenbaum JT, Vitale A, MJ, Gutierrez DB, Ablonczy Z, Smith RT, Sloan KR, Curcio CA. Learning from data: recognizing glaucomatous defect patterns Van Gelder RN. Expert panel recommendations for the use of Quantitative autofluorescence and cell density maps of the human and detecting progression from visual field measurements. IEEE Dreer LE, Weston J, Owsley C. Strategic Planning for anti-tumor necrosis factor biologic agents in patients with ocular retinal pigment epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: Trans Biomed Eng. 2014;61: 2112-2124. PMID: 24710816 Recruitment and Retention of Older African Americans in Health inflammatory disorders. Ophthalmology. 2014; 121: 785-796. 4832-4841. PMID: 25034602 Promotion Research Programs. J Health Dispar Res Pract. 2014; PMID:24359625 Yousefi S, Goldbaum MH, Balasubramanian M, Jung TP, Weinreb 7: 14-33. PMID: 25346876 Pikuleva IA, Curcio CA. Cholesterol in the retina: the best is yet to RN, Medeiros FA, Zangwill LM, Liebmann JM, Girkin CA, Bowd OCULAR ONCOLOGY come. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2014; 41: 64-89. PMID: 24704580 C. Glaucoma progression detection using structural retinal nerve Owsley C, McGwin G Jr, Lee DJ, Lam BL, Friedman DS, Gower Corson TW, Samuels BC, Wenzel AA, Geary AJ, Riley AA, fiber layer measurements and functional visual field points. IEEE EW, Haller JA, Hark LA, Saaddine J; for the Innovative Network McCarthy BP, Hanenberg H, Bailey BJ, Rogers PI, Pollok KE, Zhang Y, Wang X, Rivero EB, Clark ME, Witherspoon CD, Trans Biomed Eng. 2014; 61: 1143-1154. PMID: 24658239 for Sight (INSIGHT) Research Group. Diabetes eye screening in Rajashekhar G, Territo PR. Multimodality imaging methods for Spaide RF, Girkin CA, Owsley C, Curcio CA. Photoreceptor urban settings serving minority populations: Detection of diabetic assessing retinoblastoma orthotopic xenograft growth and perturbation around subretinal drusenoid deposits as revealed Yang H, He L, Gardiner SK, Reynaud J, Williams G, Hardin C, retinopathy and other ocular findings using telemedicine. JAMA development. PLoS One. 2014; 9: e99036. PMID: 24901248 by adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy. American Strouthidis NG, Downs JC, Fortune B, Burgoyne CF. Age-related Ophthalmology 2014. PMID 25393129. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2014; 158: 584-596. PMID: 24907433 differences in longitudinal structural change by spectral-domain OCULAR TRAUMA optical coherence tomography in early experimental glaucoma. Maclennan PA, McGwin G Jr, Searcey K, Owsley C. A survey of Moore JX, McGwin G Jr, Griffin RL. Injury. The epidemiology of Oak AS, Messinger JD, Curcio CA. Subretinal drusenoid Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 6409-6420. PMID: 25190652 Alabama eye care providers in 2010-2011. BMC Ophthalmol. 2014; firework-related injuries in the United States: 2000-2010. 2014. deposits: further characterization by lipid histochemistry. Retina. 14: 44. PMID: 24708636 PMID: 25047335 2014; 34: 825-826. PMID: 24589874 Grytz R, Fazio MA, Libertiaux V, Bruno L, Gardiner S, Girkin CA, Downs JC. Age- and race-related differences in human scleral IMAGING Mason JO 3rd, Patel SA. Traumatic lens subluxation presenting Rudolf M, Seckerdieck K, Grisanti S, Curcio CA. Internal material properties. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 8163- Wilk, MA, Dubra A, Curcio CA, Brilliant MH, Summers CG, as pseudomelanoma. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. structure consistent with remodelling in very small drusen, 8172. PMID: 25389203 Carroll J. Author response: relationship between foveal cone 2014; 45: 328-330. PMID: 25127532 revealed by filipin histochemistry for esterified cholesterol. specialization and pit morphology in albinism. Invest Ophthalmol Br J Ophthalmol. 2014; 98: 698-702. PMID: 24554738 Wallace DM, Murphy-Ullrich JE, Downs JC, O’Brien CJ. The role Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 5923. PMID 25237180. of matricellular proteins in glaucoma. Matrix Biol. 2014; 37: 174- RETINA AND VITREOUS Mason JO 3rd, Neimkin MG, Mason JO 4th, Friedman DA, Feist Owsley C, Huisingh C, Jackson GR, Curcio CA, Szalai AJ, 182. PMID: 24727033 Wilk MA, McAllister JT, Cooper RF, Dubis AM, Patitucci TN, RM, Thomley ML, Albert MA. Safety, efficacy, and quality of life Dashti N, Clark M, Rookard K, McCrory MA, Wright TT, Callahan Summerfelt P, Anderson JL, Stepien KE, Costakos DM, Connor following sutureless vitrectomy for symptomatic vitreous floaters. MA, Kline LB, Witherspoon CD, McGwin G Jr. Associations Fazio MA, Grytz R, Morris JS, Bruno L, Girkin CA, TB Jr, Wirostko WJ, Chiang PW, Dubra A, Curcio CA, Brilliant Retina. 2014; 34:1055-10561. PMID: 24384616 between abnormal rod-mediated dark adaptation and health and Downs JC. Human Scleral Structural Stiffness Increases More MH, Summers CG, Carroll J. Relationship between foveal cone functioning in older adults with normal macular health. Invest Rapidly with Age in Donors of African Descent Compared to specialization and pit morphology in albinism. Invest Ophthalmol Feist RM Jr, King JL, Feist RM Sr, Mason JO 3rd, Morris Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 4776-4789. PMID: 24854857 Donors of European Descent. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; Vis Sci. 2014; 55:4186-4198. PMID: 24845642 55: 7189-7198. PMID: 25237162 RE, Guidry C. Evaluation of proliferating cell abundance and phenotypes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Owsley C, Huisingh C, Jackson GR, Curcio CA, Szalai AJ, Scoles D, Sulai YN, Langlo CS, Fishman GA, Curcio CA, Carroll Exp Ophthalmol. 2014. PMID: 25294353 Dashti N, Clark M, Rookard K, McCrory MA, Wright TT, Callahan Fazio MA, Grytz R, Morris JS, Bruno L, Gardiner SK, Girkin J, Dubra A. In vivo imaging of human cone photoreceptor inner MA, Kline LB, Witherspoon CD, McGwin G Jr. Associations CA, Downs JC. Age-related changes in human peripapillary segments. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 4244-42451. Feist RM Jr, King JL, Morris R, Witherspoon CD, Guidry C. between abnormal rod-mediated dark adaptation and health and scleral strain. Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2014; 13: 551-563. PMID: 24906859 functioning in older adults with normal macular health. Invest PMID: 23896936 Myofibroblast and extracellular matrix origins in proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2014; 252: Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; 55: 4776-4789. PMID:24854857 Yongxin Yu, Yuhua Zhang, Dual-thread parallel control strategy 347-357. PMID: 24276562 Grytz R, Fazio MA, Girard MJ, Libertiaux V, Bruno L, Gardiner S, for ophthalmic adaptive optics, Chin. Opt. Lett. 2014; 3: 121202– Ooto S, Vongkulsiri S, Sato T, Suzuki M, Curcio CA, Spaide RF. Girkin CA, Downs JC. Material properties of the posterior human 121202 Outer retinal corrugations in age-related macular degeneration. sclera. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2014; 29: 602-617. PMID: Feist RM Jr, Pomerleau DL, Feist R, Albert MA, Emond JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132: 806-813. PMID: 24801396 23684352 TL, Mason JO 3rd, Thomley ML, McGwin G Jr. Nonsupine NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY positioning is preferred by patients over face-down positioning Downs, JC. The promise of prediction: biomechanical analyses Mrejen S, Sato T, Curcio CA, Spaide RF. Assessing the cone Rhodes LA, Huisingh C, Johnstone J, Fazio M, Smith B, Clark and provides an equivalent closure rate in 25- and 23-gauge in neuro-ophthalmology. J Neuroophthalmol. 2014; 24: 321-323. photoreceptor mosaic in eyes with pseudodrusen and soft drusen M, Downs JC, Owsley C, Girard MJ, Mari JM, Girkin CA. macular hole surgery. Retina Cases Brief Rep. 2014; 8:205-208. PMID: 25405660 in vivo using adaptive optics imaging. Ophthalmology. 2014; 121: Variation Of Laminar Depth In Normal Eyes With Age And Race. PMID: 25372439 545-551. PMID: 24183341 Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 2014; 55: 8123- Nagia L, Eggenberger E. Differentiating retinal from optic nerve 8133. PMID: 25414182 Friedman DA, Lindquist TP, Mason JO 3rd, McGwin G. Needle syndromes. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2013; 24: 528-533. PMID: Li M, Jia C, Kazmierkiewicz KL, Bowman AS, Tian L, Liu Y, Gupta contamination in the setting of intravitreal injections. Retina. 2014; 24100373 NA, Gudiseva HV, Yee SS, Kim M, Dentchev T, Kimble JA, Parker Johnstone J, Fazio M, Rojananuangnit K, Smith B, Clark M, 34: 929-934. PMID: 24509487 JS, Messinger JD, Hakonarson H, Curcio CA, Stambolian D. Downs JC, Owsley C, Girard MJ, Mari JM, Girkin CA. Variation Peripheral Cone Dystrophy: A Diagnostic Improbability? Comprehensive analysis of gene expression in human retina and of the axial location of Bruch’s membrane opening with age, Huisingh C, McGwin G. Increased risk of coronary heart disease Vaphiades MS, Doyle JI. J Neuroophthalmol. 2014; 34: 366-368. supporting tissues. Hum Mol Genet. 2014; 23: 4001-4014. PMID: choroidal thickness, and race. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014; in male patients with central serous chorioretinopathy: results of a PMID: 24705257 24634144 55: 2004-2009. PMID: 24595390 population-based cohort study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2014; 98: 570- 571. PMID: 24443393 Kline LB. The Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology: looking ahead. Fritsche LG, Fariss RN, Stambolian D, Abecasis GR, Curcio CA, J Neuroophthalmol. 2014; 34: 3. PMID: 24531316 Swaroop A. Age-related macular degeneration: genetics and Mason JO 3rd, Patel SA. Bull’s eye maculopathy in a patient biology coming together. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2014; taking sertraline. Retina Cases and Brief Reports 2014, PMID: 15: 151-171. PMID: 24773320 25401995

56 57 APPENDICES 58 03/31/2015 04/01/2009- NEI/NIH; Impairment; Vision Pediatric and Reading 07/01/2015-06/30/2015Alabama; Reading and Pediatric Impairment; Vision EyeSight Foundation of DAWN O.D., DECARLO, K. M.S.P.H. M.S., 12/29/2014-12/28/2015 Foundation; Research Retinal International Prize; Sallmann von to Ludwig Match 08/01/2014-07/31/2015 Foundation, awarded by the for International Research; Society Sallmann von Ludwig Prize; Sallmann von Ludwig The 04/01/2012-03/31/2015 York New University/NIH; Degeneration; Macular Age-Related and Normal the of Imaging Hyperspectral 01/31/2015 degeneration; Macular Foundation, New York 02/01/2014- City; Imaging histology macular in correlations age-related CURCIO, PH.D. A. CHRISTINE 2014; 522: 2231-2248. PMID: 24752373 monkey. Neurol. JComp macaque the in cells ganglion retinal Gamlin PD. D, Dacey BB, Peterson CE, Strang L, J, Kankipati Hannibal 2014; Res. Vision 102: 64-70.schizophrenia. PMID: 25088242 Gamlin PD. TJ, D, Gawne C, Gurler AC, D, Moore White Lahti MS, Bolding 2014; 112: 2413-2422. PMID: 25122703 Neurophysiology. of Journal areas. visual early the in crowding of anisotropy Kwon P, Bao M, Radial-tangential BS. Tjan R, Millin 55: 719-727. PMID: 24408974 2014; Sci. Vis Ophthalmol Invest responses. flicker pupil human to contributions melanopsin and cone, rod, D.Cao Assessing Gamlin AJ, PD, JJ, Zele McAnany N, PA, Nicandro Barrionuevo 24287308 PMID: 2014; age. melanopsin 37:1-9. the in light using and Measuring Trends GC. Neurosci. Brainard DJ, Skene I, Provencio LL, Price Gamlin PD, MG, Figueiro CA, Czeisler HM, Cooper TM, Brown DM, Berson SN, RJ, Peirson Lucas MOVEMENTS EYE AND VISION Treat. 2014; 10: 1469-1477. PMID: 25143737 Dis Neuropsychiatr options. treatment emerging and current Post-traumatic JP, Y, LE. epilepsy: Dreer Szaflarski Nazzal 2014; PMID: 25152169Rehabil. 95: 2296-2303. Phys Med Arch injury. brain traumatic following capacity making decision medical of over six-months Recovery DC. Marson R, Turner C, Kennedy LE, TA, RC, Novack Dreer Martin Triebel KL, INJURY BRAIN TRAUMATIC Central projections of intrinsically photosensitive Vergence eye movements in patients with with patients in eye movements Vergence Lockley SW, O’Hagan JB, Grants & Awards & Grants Publications

Health Subcontract/NEI; 11/15/2012-06/30/2016 Subcontract/NEI; Health Legacy Head; Nerve Optic the in Failure and Force IOP-Related 04/01/2013 NEI/NIH; –03/31/2016 Biomechanics; and Structure Head Nerve Optic in Differences Race-related and Age- PH.D. DOWNS, J. CRAWFORD 12/31/2015 International Foundation; Retinal Research 12/31/2014 – Rehabilitation; Vision Low for Center UAB for Update Equipment 01/01/2014Foundation; –12/31/2014 U. Sims Henry and G. Henry Patients; Indigent for Devices 06/30/2015 07/01/2014– Year Alabama; of 13; Foundation EyeSight – Rehabilitation Vision Low for Center UAB for Support Operating 06/30/2014 07/01/2013– Year Alabama; of 12; Foundation EyeSight – Rehabilitation Vision Low for Center UAB for Support Operating 2014; PMID: 24370830 Sci. Vis 55: 330-336. Ophthalmol Invest evaluation. driving on-road with agreement and skills driving self-assessed telescopes: bioptic use who drivers impaired Visually J, JM. GJr., Wood Elgin C, McGwin Owsley 2014; JOphthalmol. 2014:neuroimaging. 754042. PMID: 24683493 from homonymous clinical and quadrantanopia hemianopia with individuals in safety driving of Prediction JM. Wood C, Shah R, GJr., Owsley McGwin LB, MS, Kline Vaphiades 2014; 34: 387-389. PMID: 25047244 Opt. Physiol Ophthalmic system. visual ageing the and function C, Owsley A, J,Wood McKendrick 2014. Int. Ankle Foot PMID: 25239196 Materials. Education Patient Ankle and Foot Online of Readability the Improving BA. Ponce JS, GJr., Kirchner McGwin MN, Florence ED, Z, Hyde Sheppard 2014; Soc. Geriatr Am 62: 123-129. PMID: 24279730 J drivers. older of involvement collision vehicle motor and falling Frequent C. Owsley KA, GJr., Orman Huisingh C, McGwin 315-318.60: PMID: 24642933 2014; Gerontology. test. view of field Useful C. Owsley JM, Wood 2014; Sci. Vis 56: 132-138. 25395488. PMID drivers:older A examination. population based Invest Ophthalmol in involvement collision vehicle motor of ahistory and field visual driving The C. Owsley GJr., JM, Wood Huisingh C, McGwin PMID: 24568975 2014; JAAPOS. 18: 10-14. impairment. vision with children among disorder Prevalence C. of attention-deficit/hyperactivity Owsley DeCarlo DK, 2014;One. 9. PMID: 24959842 PLoS feasibility. clinical its and amblyopia in interaction binocular M, Kwon LOW VISION IMPAIRMENT AND VISION Lu ZL, Miller A, Kazlas M, Hunter DG, Bex PJ. Assessing PJ. Bex DG, Assessing Hunter M, Kazlas A, Miller ZL, Lu McGwin GJr, McGwin R, C, Kline Monroe E, Bowman Rubin G. Feature issue: visual visual issue: Feature G. Rubin

EyeSight Foundation of Alabama; 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight –12/30/2014 Imaging; ECM/Cell and Modeling Constitutive Mechanical PH.D. GRYTZ, RAFAEL 04/01/2013 NEI/NIH; –03/31/2016 Biomechanics; and Structure Head Nerve Optic in Differences Race-related and Age- 12/30/2014 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight – the from grant of theMechanobiology Head; Optic acceleration Nerve a research 08/01/2013-12/31/2014 Michigan; of University Michigan; of University Dr. the of for Lee Paul Service Analyses Statistical 12/31/2014 01/01/2013- Blindness; to Prevent Research Grant; Unrestricted 09/30/2012-09/29/2014 CDC; nerve; optic the of assessment functional and structural automated on based model delivery care glaucoma Proficient 07/15/2011-07/04/2011 INC.; SOLX, Glaucoma; Refractory in (IOP) Pressure Intraocular of Reduction the for Shunt Gold SOLX the of Evaluation Clinical 06/30/2018 07/01/2013 Diego); (San California of – NIH/University Americans; African in phenotype to glaucoma genotype of Contribution African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation (ADAGES) III: 01/31/2015 02/01/2010- Diego); (San California of NIH/University Progression; African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation (ADAGES) II: Glaucoma M.D., M.S.P.H., GIRKIN, A. CHRISTOPHER F.A.C.S. 08/01/2012-07/31/2017NEI; NIH/ Control; Eye Movement Horizontal in Diversity Unit Motor TechnologiesGenetic (AGTC); Corporation 07/01/2014-07/01/2016 Applied primates; non-human in library AAV anovel of Screening 06/13/2014-06/12/2019 Blindness; to Prevent Research Research; Amblyopia for Award Disney Blindness to Prevent Research 06/30/2013-06/29/2014 Blindness; Fighting for Foundation Univ. Florida/ of Serotypes; AAV Novel and Methods Delivery Novel Using Targeting Cones Foveal PAUL PH.D. D. GAMLIN, 07/01/2014-06/30/2015 with Impairments; Vision EyeSight Foundation of Alabama; Families and Persons for Services Health Mental Continuation: 07/01/2013-10/31/2014 with Impairments; Vision EyeSight Foundation of Alabama; Families and Persons for Services Health Mental Continuation: 08/01/2011-09/30/2014 Foundation; Lakeshore Military; Injured for Programs Foxtrot Lima Foundation Lakeshore the of Evaluation 10/01/2012-09/30/2015Education/NIDRR; of Department (TBI); Injury Traumatic Brain with Members Service (OIF/OEF) Freedom Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Operation of Caregivers for (CBT) Therapy Behavioral Cognitive DREER, PH.D. LAURA 12/30/2014 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight – the from grant of theMechanobiology Head; Optic acceleration Nerve a research Grants & Awards & Grants 12/30/2014 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight – the from grant of theMechanobiology Head; Optic acceleration Nerve a research NIH; 09/01/2012-03/31/2015NIH; Advanced Ophthalmoscopy); Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc/ for Detector Infrared (Near Inc Devices, Monitoring Radiation 09/01/2011 NIH; (AO-PCSO); –08/31/2014 Adaptive Optics Parallel Confocal Scanning Ophthalmoscope 03/01/2011-06/30/2015Alabama; Ophthalmoscopy; EyeSight Laser Scanning Foundation of Adaptive Optics and Wide-Spectra Resolution, High-Fidelity In-Vivo with High- Study Macular of Degeneration Age-Related PH.D. ZHANG, YUHUA 01/01/1997-12/31/2015 NEI/NIH; cells; RPE by reprogramming photoreceptors Generating SHU-ZHEN WANG, PH.D. 01/31/2015 08/17/2010- Hospital; Luke’s/Roosevelt St. NIH Loss; Vision Mild with Hypertension Intracranial Idiopathic with Subjects in Placebo Plus Diet vs. Acetazolamide Plus Diet Weight-Reduction of Study A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled D.O. S.VAPHIADES, MICHAEL 12/30/2014 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight – the from grant of theMechanobiology Head; Optic acceleration Nerve a research 10/01/2013-09/30/2016 Tech; NASA/Georgia Head; Nerve Optic the of Imaging OCT 09/30/2013 –07/31/2017 NEI/NIH; Gradient; IOP, of Control ICP, Pressure Hypothalamic Translaminar the and M.D., PH.D. C. SAMUELS BRIAN 10/31/2016 11/01/2014- Foundation; Services Health Alabama of University Foundation Endowment Fund, General Health Services Plasticity; Visual Brain Core: Research Resources on Visual Dysfunction and 12/30/2014 12/31/2013 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight – the from grant acceleration aresearch Unit; Research Clinical for Support 04/01/2008 –03/31/2019NEI/NIH; Studies; Driving Naturalistic Impairment: Vision and Drivers Older 04/18/2016 10/19/2012 Genentech; Macular; – Age-Related Intermediate with Participants in Adaptation Dark of History Natural 09/30/2010 CDC; –09/29/2015 Population; Underserved At-Risk, an in Eye of Care Quality to and Access Improving 07/01/2010 Alabama; of Foundation EyeSight –06/30/2015 the Incident Development Maculopathy; of Age-Related Early for Biomarkers Potential as Health Retinal Normal in Adults Inflammatory, in Cholesterol Older Characteristics and Genetic 09/15/2010(ALSTAR -Supplement); –02/28/2015 NIH/NIA Analyses; AMD, and Chemistry Blood Genotyping 03/15/2008-02/28/2015 NIH/NIA; Impairment; Adaptation Dark ARM: and Aging OWSLEY,CYNTHIA PH.D., M.S.P.H.

59 APPENDICES

Invited Lectures Invited Lectures APPENDICES

APPENDICES CHRISTINE A. CURCIO, PH.D. Biogenesis of AMD’s specific lesions: The oil spill in Bruch’s Cognition and suicidality as predictors of firearm injury: A Seven Deadly Sins in Neuro-Ophthalmology. Department of Rehabilitating lipofuscin as a marker of RPE health: Laboratory membrane and beyond. Symposium of the Low Vision Section; National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research TBI Ophthalmology; University of Washington; May 2014; Seattle, autofluorescence insights. Macula of Paris; January 2014; Paris, American Optometric Academy; November 2014; Denver, Model Systems Database Analysis. Presented at the 12th Annual Washington. France. Colorado. Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychologists; June 1014; New York City, New York. Cavernous Sinus Syndromes. Department of Ophthalmology; Rehabilitating lipofuscin as a marker of RPE health: Laboratory Subcellular basis of reflectivity in optical coherence tomography: University of Vermont; June 2014; Burlington, Vermont. autofluorescence insights. Angiogenesis, Exudation, and human eye pathology and experimental studies. Second PAUL D. GAMLIN, PH.D. Degeneration; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; February 2014; International Meeting on En face OCT; December 2014; Rome, Light sensitive ganglion cells in primate retina: Their anatomy, The Top 10 in Neuro-Ophthalmology. Department of Miami, Florida. Italy. physiology and behavioral roles. Department of Neurobiology & Ophthalmology; St. Louis University; September 2014; Anatomical Sciences; University of Mississippi Medical Center; St. Louis, Missouri. Lipoproteins and age-related macular degeneration: The oil spill DAWN K. DECARLO, O.D., M.S., M.S.P.H. August 2014; Jackson, Mississippi. in Bruch’s membrane and beyond. Grand Rounds; Department of Hereditary vision impairment. American Academy of Optometry The Neuro-Ophthalmology of Diabetes Mellitus. Department of Ophthalmology; SUNY Downstate Medical Center; February 2014; Annual Meeting; November 2014; Denver, Colorado. Intrinsically-photosensitive ganglion cells in the primate retina: Opthalmology; University of Southern California; November 2014; Brooklyn, New York. Anatomy, physiology, and behavioral roles. ARVO/AAO Joint Los Angeles, California. Vision rehabilitation for dry AMD. Low Vision Section Symposium; Symposium: Why Do We Need Another Photoreceptor? Clinical Light-sensitive cells in the retina. Fourth Annual Spring American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting; November Implications of Melanopsin-Containing Retinal Ganglion Cells; MIYOUNG KWON, PH.D. Symposium; University of Minnesota; Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2014; Denver, Colorado. November 2014; Denver, Colorado. Rapid adaptability of human oculomotor control in response to simulated central vision loss; Massachusetts Eye and Ear What photoreceptors tell us about their support system in age- There’s nothing dry about dry AMD: New perspectives on an old CHRISTOPHER A. GIRKIN, M.D., M.S.P.H., F.A.C.S. Infirmary; April 2014; Boston, Massachusetts. related macular degeneration: Pathobiology and image validation. problem. with Curcio, CA, Smith, RT and Jackson, GR; American Novel targets and detecting progression. American Glaucoma Fourth Annual Spring Symposium; University of Minnesota; Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting; November 2014; Denver, Society 24th Annual Meeting; February 2014; Washington D.C. Assessment of binocular interactions in amblyopia. Schepens Eye Minneapolis, Minnesota. Colorado. Research Institute; March 2014; Boston, Massachusetts. Moderator, Progression and Disease Markers. American Lipoproteins and age-related macular degeneration: The oil spill J. CRAWFORD DOWNS, PH.D. Glaucoma Society 24th Annual Meeting; February 2014; How does the human visual system adapt to visual deprivation? in Bruch’s membrane and beyond. University of Oklahoma Vision Remodeling of the optic nerve head in glaucoma. Korea University Washington D.C. The New England College of Optometry; January 2014; Boston, Club Seminar; April 2014; Norman, Oklahoma. Hospital; July 2014; Seoul, South Korea. Massachusetts. Advances in pediatric glaucoma surgery. Department of Invited lecturer for Special Interest Group (SIG) on Macular Remodeling of the optic nerve head in glaucoma. Seoul National Ophthalmology; University of North Carolina; April 2014; Chapel LINA NAGIA, D.O. Atrophy. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology University Hospital; July 2014; Seoul, South Korea. Hill, North Carolina. Top ten list: Neuro-ophthalmic diagnoses you can’t afford to miss. annual meeting; May 2014; Orlando, Florida. Southeast Eye Regional Meeting; July 2014; Destin, Florida. The role of ocular biomechanics in glaucoma. MSD Glaucoma The Implications of Variation in Three-Dimensional Morphometry Organizer for special interest group (SIG) on RPE Symposium; July 2014; Seoul, South Korea. of the Human Lamina Cribosa on the Pathogenesis of glaucoma. CYNTHIA OWSLEY, PH.D., M.S.P.H. autofluorescence in a new light. Association for Research in Vision Department of Ophthalmology; University of North Carolina; April Should my visually impaired patient be driving? American and Ophthalmology annual meeting; May 2014; Orlando, Florida. Implications of IOP and OPP dynamics in ocular physiology and 2014; Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Academy of Ophthalmology; October 2014; Chicago, Illinois. glaucoma. MSD Glaucoma Symposium; July 2014; Seoul, South AMD histopathology in the era of multimodal imaging. Invited Korea. The implications of variation in three-dimensional morphometry of Session Co-Chair and Organizing Committee, Session II: seminar speaker; May 2014; Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins the human lamina cribrosa on the pathogenesis of glaucoma. 21st Evaluating Anatomical and Functional Endpoints and Patient University; Baltimore, Maryland. Ocular biomechanics in the anterior and posterior segments. XXI Biennial Meeting of the International Society of Eye Research; July Reported Outcome Measures. Developing Treatments for Dry Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research; 2014; San Francisco, California. Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Workshop. Institute of Subcellular basis of reflectivity in optical coherence tomography: July 2014; San Francisco, California. Medicine; The National Academies, November 2014; Washington, experimental and pathology studies. Second International Retinal RAFAEL GRYTZ, PH.D. D.C. Imaging Symposium (IRIS); June 2014; New York City, New York. IOP spikes represent a significant portion of total IOP energy Computational mechanics and glaucoma. Department of during waking hours. Best of the Anterior Segment Specialty Mathematical Sciences; Indiana University and Purdue University JENNIFER T. SCRUGGS, M.D. Imaging the aging RPE: Lipofuscin and its role in the physiology Meetings 2014 Symposium; October 20, 2014; American Academy at Indianapolis; February 2014; Indianapolis, Indiana, Eyelid and orbital trauma: The oculoplastics perspective. of vision. Symposium on the Aging Eye (in honor of Janice Burke, of Ophthalmology; October 2014; Chicago, Illinois. Presented to Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck PhD); September 2014; Medical College of Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Computational assessment of collagen remodeling in myopia and Surgery Grand Rounds; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Wisconsin. Optic nerve head remodeling following injury. Optic Nerve keratoconus. Department of Vision Sciences; Cardiff University; January 2014; Birmingham, Alabama. Conference; December 2014; Obergurgl, Austria. July 2014; Cardiff, United Kingdom. Fundus autofluorescence: What are we looking at? Retina Sub- Evaluation and management of ptosis. Presented to School of specialty Day; American Academy of Ophthalmology; October LAURA DREER, PH.D. Collagen sliding: A potential remodeling mechanism in myopia Optometry; University of Alabama at Birmingham; February 2014; 2014; Chicago, Illinois. Trajectories of life satisfaction during the first ten years following and keratoconus. Department of Civil Engineering; Ruhr- Birmingham, Alabama. traumatic brain injury. Presented at the 16th annual Rehabilitation University Bochum; July 2014; Bochum, Germany. Moderator for RPE cell biology. 3rd Biennial MEEI-Schepens Psychology Conference; March 2014; San Antonio, Texas. SHU-ZHEN WANG, PH.D. Symposium on Age-related Macular Degeneration; October 2014; LANNING B. KLINE, M.D. Tweaking the retinal pigment epithelium for photoreceptor Boston, Massachusetts. Development of a telehealth weight management program for The Neuro-Ophthalmic Manifestations of Carotid Artery regeneration in the mammalian eye. BME seminar speaker, persons with traumatic brain injuries and their families. Invited Dissection. Department of Ophthalmology; Duke University; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at oral presentation at the UAB Department of Physical Medicine May 2014; Durham, North Carolina. Birmingham; October 2014; Birmingham, Alabama. and Rehabilitation’s 50th year anniversary event; April 2014; Birmingham, Alabama.

60 61 PHILANTHROPY 63 P. 36 $1 BILLION

As of December 3, 2014 As December of UAB School of Medicine Supporters Medicine of School UAB The newly renovated Lions Clinic and Emergency Emergency and Clinic Lions renovated newly The and of patients management better for allow Department to philanthropic thanks capability, emergency increased support. $555,018,330 $366,100,178* CAMPAIGN GOAL: *Funds contributed by by contributed *Funds The $1 billion Campaign for UAB is a visionary plan to align our resources with our aspirations, and includes includes and aspirations, our with resources our align to plan a visionary UAB is for Campaign billion $1 The most nation’s the of one as position our strengthening While Medicine. of School the for support significant through world the change will success Campaign’s the centers, medical academic dynamic and productive care. patient into translate and discover, teach, we knowledge the Partnerships between the UAB Center for Low Vision and and Vision Low for UAB Center the between Partnerships Songs and America Savers Sight as such organizations visually to training and equipment helpful provide Sight for it. afford not could otherwise who individuals impaired P. 33 P. 8 P.30 P. 21 Funding from Research to Prevent Blindness allowed allowed Blindness Prevent to Research from Funding underlying the investigating begin to Ph.D., Gamiln, Paul to amblyopia. related processes neurological Support from the Thompson Foundation helped new new helped Foundation Thompson the from Support research his establish Ph.D., Grytz, Rafael member faculty program. “Complex Vision” by artist Yaacov Agam has been a visual a visual been has Agam Yaacov artist by Vision” “Complex UAB Callahan the of face exterior main the on landmark to Thanks 1976. November since building Hospital Eye its to work this restore to able were we donors generous glory. original

Facility and equipment improvements provided the latest in vision care patients to at all income levels. Investments in education enhanced training for the next generation ophthalmologists. of Philanthropic commitment jumpstarted commitment early the Philanthropic stages promising of careers for young scientists. Gifts attracted world-class research talent UAB. to Support ideas for innovative allowed investigators launchto promising research new programs. ADVANCED PATIENT CARE PATIENT ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND EDUCATION YOUNG SCIENTISTSYOUNG TOP TALENT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH INNOVATIVE A grant from The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama fosters fosters Alabama of Foundation EyeSight The from A grant new finding at UAB aimed across research collaborative diseases. blinding and other glaucoma for treatments • • • • • the following key areas: the following key

Thanks to support from donors large and small, we we small, and large donors from support to Thanks ultimate our toward progress significant made have goal blinding health alleviating by of improving in a catalyst as served has generosity This disease. SEEING THE IMPACT P. 26

62 PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY 64 • • PRIORITIES OUR brighter, future. healthier potential for major breakthroughs in the treatment and care of blinding disease. With your support, we can achieve a OphthalmologyUAB has abright outlook for the future. The support of visionary philanthropic partners provides the FUTURE THE FOR VISION FACULTY EXCELLENCE ADVANCING TREATMENTS scientists. and top physicians recruiting and by retaining innovation and of collaboration environment an Foster bedside. to bench from research of that translation the accelerate and research multidisciplinary –through degeneration macular age-related and glaucoma as –such diseases eye common most the for innovativeFind treatments Make agift online; asimple and secure way to make an immediate impact: Mail in your gift:

Speak with our development office: Birmingham, AL 35233 1720 AL Blvd., •Birmingham, University Suite 500 1720 Boulevard, University Suite •Birmingham, AL 500 Email: [email protected] 205.325.8526 Phone: WOOD, Development of Senior Director JACKIE Contact usto learn more about where your help is needed most. HOW TO HELP HOW TO Ways to Give: • • FACILITIES TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING facilities technology. and in improvements focused through research advance and care patient to highest-quality the access Expand success. for graduates our prepares that training robust by providing knowledge for thirst long alife- and skill research and of clinical degree highest the with of ophthalmologists generation Equip next the 205.325.8526 205.325.8526 www.uabmedicine.org/perspective

35233 A special thanks to our contributors: to our thanks A special Annee Cook and Megan Yeatts Megan and Cook Annee David Pelfrey, and Don Milazzo Milazzo Pelfrey, Don David and Bob Shepard, Megan Yeatts, Yeatts, Megan Shepard, Bob Caleb Chancey, Nik Layman, Layman, Chancey, Nik Caleb Jeff Myers, Jennifer Spears, Spears, Jennifer Myers, Jeff Produced by UAB Medicine Produced Project Coordinators: and Carson Young Carson and Photographers: Photographers: Andrea Bevan Contributors: Jackie WoodJackie Erick Guillen Art Director: Director: Art Writers: NON PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Permit #1256 Birmingham, AL UAB Callahan Eye Hospital 1720 University Blvd. Suite 500 Birmingham, AL 35233