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Indiana University School of Eugene and Marilyn Glick Institute Update

Department of Ophthalmology Spring 2013

Research team commits to Glick Eye Institute

Vision research at the Eugene and researcher, Maria Grant, M.D., will Translational Research in the Marilyn Glick Eye Institute will receive be the first to hold the new Marilyn K. Department of Ophthalmology at a double boost when husband- Glick Senior Chair. They will join the the University of Florida and holds and-wife research scientists from department on July 1. professorships in ophthalmology; the University of Florida join the and functional genomics; Department of Ophthalmology at the Dr. Boulton is currently director medicine; and . Her Indiana University School of Medicine of research and professor in the research focuses on understanding this year. Department of Anatomy and Cell and repairing the damage to blood Biology at the University of Florida. vessels in the eye as a result of Michael Boulton, Ph.D., has been His research has focused on age- . appointed as the first director of related changes in the and basic science research and will hold retinal neovascularization. “We are thrilled to welcome Drs. the Merrill Grayson Senior Chair in Boulton and Grant,” said Louis Ophthalmology; his wife and fellow Dr. Grant is currently director of B. Cantor, M.D., Chairman of the

(Continued on page 10)

Teen is one of first in Indiana to Read about faculty research, new Department of Ophthalmology fac- participate in an intraocular grant awards, publications and ulty travel to Zambia and China implant study. new appointments. where they teach .

See Page 8 See Pages 6 & 7 See Page 11 From the Chairman

We are looking forward to this spring and summer with great anticipation. In July of this year we will welcome Maria Grant, M.D., and Michael Boulton, Ph.D., to Indianapolis and to leadership roles within our expanding research programs.

Drs. Grant and Boulton will be great additions to our growing research team. Their research will complement the work already under way in our basic science and clinical research programs. In addition, they will help provide the leadership and mentoring that is vitally important to a research program. We are looking at appropriate laboratory facilities and support space for their programs on the medical center campus and within the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute. Dr. Grant and Dr. Boulton have visited Indianapolis and are planning upcoming visits with several members of their respective research teams who are likely to relocate with them. Philanthropic support is necessary to They are also meeting with faculty members, both within the Department accelerate vision research. To learn how of Ophthalmology and other departments at the IU School of Medicine with you can make a tax-deductible gift to whom they share collaborative research interests. benefit the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, please contact: Once they have arrived in Indianapolis we will host a gathering that will Linda E. Cantor, J.D. allow our friends and colleagues to meet them and become acquainted Director of Development with their work. They are not only outstanding researchers but wonderful Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute individuals who will enrich our community. Indiana University School of Medicine [email protected] We are also looking to continue to expand our faculty in order to best Phone: 317.274.3602 or serve our missions of care and service, discovery, and education. 800.643.6975 We are seeking to expand our and neuro-ophthalmology services. Our retina service continues to grow and our programs in and Gifts may be mailed to: are strong. Our service provides IU Foundation - Ophthalmology excellent opportunities for residents and fellows. Our community outreach P.O. Box 660245 facilities are seeing more in local communities where there is a Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245 need. Once again, it is because of the dedicated and committed individuals Online gifts may be made through the who are part of our faculty, staff, alumni and donors that we are able to Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute bring this level of expertise/talent to Indiana University and the Glick Eye website: Institute. www.glick.iu.edu I am pleased to provide you with this update and exciting news that is advancing the department and preparing for a bright future. Department of Ophthalmology Clinical and Academic Administration

Louis B. Cantor, M.D., Chairman Timothy Louer, M.B.A., Chief Financial Officer Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology Alexandra Eads, Manager, HR Jay C. and Lucile L. Kahn Professor of Glaucoma Research and Education 1160 W. Michigan Street Director, Glaucoma Service Indianapolis, IN 46202 Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute 317.274.2020 Indiana University School of Medicine www.glick.iu.edu Department of Ophthalmology 2 Spring 2013 2014 Ophthalmology Residents Selected Student receives

Darrell WuDunn, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and the program research scholarship director of the ophthalmology program at the Indiana University School of Medicine announces the match for the 2014 residents.

The department’s residency program received almost 400 applications for its six openings. From that group, 36 candidates interviewed with faculty and met with current residents. As a result of the match process, the following individuals will join the residency program in July 2014:

Whitney Boling, American University of Antigua College of Medicine Rehan Hussain, George Washington University, Indiana University Laura Magnuson, Indiana University School of Medicine Joshua Paschall, Indiana University School of Medicine Leslie Tobe, Indiana University School of Medicine Ryan Wise, University of Iowa - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Halesha Basavarajappa, a Ph.D. student working in the research lab “I am very excited to have yet another strong group of bright and energetic of Tim Corson, Ph.D., at the Eugene young who will train with us to become the best ophthalmologists and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, that they can be,” said Dr. WuDunn. “In addition to a strong academic has received a two-year $30,000 performance in , we look for individuals who are dedicated, Ausich Graduate Student Research work well with others, and have a good sense of community. I think this Scholarship from Kemin Health. group of new trainees is a good example of what we have come to expect in our residents.” This Scholarship promotes research that contributes to better understanding of the role of natural compounds in foods. It is named for Rodney Ausich, Ph.D., a former Ophthalmology student interest group Kemin Health president who was the inventor of FloraGLO® Lutein and is Ophthalmology Student Interest Group members who volunteered for the credited with recognizing its benefits American Legion screening event held in conjunction with a recent American for eye health. Legion conference in Indianapolis were honored with the President’s Award from Kim Williams, president of the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology at Basavarajappa holds bachelor’s and the recent IAO meeting. master’s degrees from Bangalore University in Karnataka, , and is working on his doctoral degree in biochemistry and molecular biology at the IU School of Medicine.

His proposed research is based on deciphering the molecular mechanism of a naturally-occurring antiangiogenic compound.

Dr. Corson said Basavarajappa’s work offers real possibility for discovering new mechanisms and treatments for neovascular eye diseases such as age-related . On hand to accept the President’s Award given to OSIG during the recent IAO meeting are Brian Marek, Josh Paschall and Anne Schroeder. Pictured with the group is their sponsor, Chi-Wah (Rudy) Yung, M.D. Spring 2013 3 Vision researcher teams with mathematicians to submit grant proposal

A four-person collaborative team Clinical Research at the Eugene and flow modeling and non-Newtonian comprised of three mathematics Marilyn Glick Eye Institute. fluid flows. professors and an ophthalmology professor is submitting a proposal Dr. Guidoboni has significantly Dr. Harris is a world leader in ocular entitled “Ocular Blood Flow and Its contributed to the understanding blood flow. His laboratory is equipped Role in Development of Glaucoma” to of multiscale problems and fluid- to measure all aspects of the ocular the American Institute of Mathematics; structure interactions in blood flow circulation and metabolic status Structured Quartet Research modeling, and other complex flows of the eye including mathematical Ensemble (AIM SQuaRE). such as free surface flows and non- modeling of physiological phenomena Newtonian fluid flows. and metabolic flow regulation and Team members include mathematics auto regulation in exercising skeletal professors Giovanna Guidoboni, Dr. Arciero’s area of expertise muscle. Ph.D., and Lucia Arciero, Ph.D., involves mathematical modeling from the Department of Mathematics of physiological phenomena and In 2012, Drs. Harris, Guidoboni and at IUPUI and Sergey Lapin, Ph.D., metabolic flow regulation and auto Arciero were awarded $103,128 from from the University of Washington regulation in exercising skeletal the National Science Foundation for Department of Mathematics. muscle. their project, “ Mathematical Modeling of Ocular Mechanics, Circulation and The fourth member of the team is Alon Dr. Lapin has contributed to the fluid- Oxygenation and their Relation to Harris, M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, Professor structure interactions arising in blood Glaucoma.” of Ophthalmology and director of

Alon Harris, M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Clinical Research, reports • Merck Lecture “Perspectives in the following invited presentations: the management of elevated IOP” Philadelphia, PA, October 18, 2012. • American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Importance of ocular blood flow in glaucoma” Chicago, IL, • Russian National Ophthalmologic November 12, 2012. Forum, WHO global initiative - Vision 2020, “Elimination of • Merck Peer Discussion Group. “A case-based approach blindness and to managing elevated -B” Chicago, associated with glaucoma” IL, November 9, 2012. Moscow, October 3, 2012.

• Wills Eye Institute, Merck Peer Discussion Group. “A • Mexican Ophthalmology Society, Blood Flow and case-based approach to managing elevated intraocular Glaucoma Conference and Clinical Cases Workshop. pressure-B” Philadelphia, PA, October 19, 2012. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, September 1, 2012.

Glick Eye Sightseers plan Tuscan trip for summer 2013

The Glick Eye Sightseers, who town of Chianti and the historic sites The trip will feature visits to wine and visited Alaska in the summer of 2011, of Siena, Cortona and Florence, cheese makers and instruction in will visit Tuscany in July of this year. including a visit to the Academia to Italian cooking by local chefs. see Michelangelo’s David. The final night of the trip will be The trip will feature six nights in spent at the elegant, time-piece an 18th century farmhouse on a Guests will enjoy local, seasonal themed Hotel L’Orologio in Florence. Tuscan wine estate. flavors such as dried and fresh figs, estate-grown olive oil, artisan cheese Details about the trip are available A guide will take the group to the and wines. at: www.glick.iu.edu/alumni.

4 Spring 2013 Faculty news and notes Selected publications

Philip W. Shaffer, O.D., has joined the Department , M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, of Ophthalmology at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Brent Siesky, Ph.D., and Deepam Eye Institute as Assistant Professor of Clinical Rusia, M.D., M.B.A., contributed the Ophthalmology. chapter, “Blood Flow in Glaucoma,” published in Color Atlas and Synopsis “I look forward to my new affiliation with the Glick of Clinical Ophthalmology: Glaucoma, Eye Institute and the opportunity to provide vision Second Edition., Wolters Kluwer/ care for a wide variety of patients,” he said. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012.

Dr. Shaffer is a 2012 graduate of the Indiana Alon Harris, M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, University School of . Dr. Shaffer did Brent Siesky, Ph.D., and Leslie clinical rotations in Guanajuato, Mexico, where he Tobe, M.D. contributed the chapter, worked with patients in a rural setting, and at a “Ocular blood flow and metabolism,” Veterans Affairs in Pensacola, Florida, where in Atlas of Glaucoma, Third Edition: he worked with veterans who suffered from diabetes, CRC Press 2013. glaucoma and macular degeneration. Alon Harris, M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, He is interested in research into the causes and has had the article, “Blood Pressure, treatments of dry eye. Ocular Perfusion Pressure, and Body Mass Index in Glaucoma Patients,” accepted for publication by the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

Halesha Basavarajappa, M.S., (see Daniel Neely, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, related story on page 3) and Tim has graduated from the AAO Leadership Corson, Ph.D.,(see page 6) were Development Program. invited to report on their research in Future Medicinal Chemistry, a journal which features expert analysis of emerging research. The published article, “KIF14 as an oncogene in retinoblastoma: a target for novel therapeutics?” The article can be Daniel Spitzberg, M.D., Associate Professor of read at: www.future-science.com Clinical Ophthalmology and Vice Chair for Adult Clinical Affairs, has been elected to the J.O. Richey Brian Samuels, M.D., Ph.D., and Society board of directors. The J.O. Richey Society his co-authors Nathan M. Hammes, recognizes those individuals who have arranged Philip L. Johnson, Anantha Shekhar, planned or deferred gifts to benefit the IU School of Stuart J. McKinnon, and R. Rand Medicine. Allingham published “Dorsomedial/ Perifornical Hypothalamic Stimulation Increases Intraocular Pressure, Jingyun Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Intracranial Pressure, and the Ophthalmology, visited China in December and Translaminar Pressure lectured on her research at Tianjin University Gradient,” IOVS, published ahead of and Tianjin Eye . She presented on print October 2, 2012, read the article “The application of OCT in retinal development” at Tianjin University and discussed “The foveal at: http://www.iovs.org/ development and ROP” at Tianjin Eye Hospital.

Spring 2013 5 Dr. Corson named Outrun the Sun scholar; receives research funding

Timothy Corson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, has been selected as one of two 2012 Outrun the Sun Melanoma Research Scholars. Dr. Corson is the first Indiana University researcher to receive this distinction.

Dr. Corson, whose research interests include ocular melanoma, will receive $10,000 from Indianapolis-based Outrun the Sun, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting skin cancer education and melanoma research.

He also has received $25,000 from the Retina Research Foundation and $8,500 from the Carl Marshall Reeves and Mildred Almen Reeves Foundation in Columbus, Indiana, a charity that funds age-related macular Dr. Corson in his lab at the Glick Eye Institute. degeneration research.

“It’s a great honor to be named an Corson and Cha join past recipients natural compound that is a potential Outrun the Sun National Melanoma from Harvard University, , treatment for age-related macular Research Scholar, and humbling New York University, University of degeneration. that I am the first ocular melanoma Chicago, Kimmel Cancer Center, researcher to receive this prestigious and University of California-Irvine. “We will use the funding to continue award,” Dr. Corson said. Scholar applications are reviewed by our research on the molecular the Outrun the Sun scientific review mechanisms of a novel, plant- “The research scholar program is panel. derived natural product that has designed to provide seed funding for anti-angiogenic (blood-vessel investigators whose studies show Dr. Corson will present his work at blocking) activity and that could be a great promise and demonstrate the annual Outrun the Sun Melanoma therapeutic lead for AMD,” Dr. Corson the potential to make substantial Research and Education Forum in said. contributions to the field of melanoma Indianapolis in the fall. research,” said Anita J. Day, co- “Meanwhile, the Outrun the Sun grant founder and executive director of Dr. Corson and his team are will help fund our ongoing studies Outrun the Sun. conducting research into into blocking a signaling pathway that retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma and is hyperactive in ocular melanoma “We are pleased to support Dr. age-related macular degeneration. cells. We hope that we can eventually Corson’s work and also to welcome a develop molecular to block researcher from Indiana,” she added. His new funding from the Retina the growth of this melanoma subtype Edward Cha, M.D., Ph.D., University Research Foundation and Reeves that causes not only loss of vision of California-San Francisco, also Foundation will support a project but also deadly metastases in half of was selected as a 2012 scholar. Drs. aimed at identifying the targets of a patients,” Dr. Corson said.

6 Spring 2013 Dr. Sun and Dr. Gangaraju receive additional research grants

Efforts to establish a biobank database and continued allowing pediatric glaucoma specialists to send patients research into diabetic are possible with recent and their tissue samples to a biobank for future grants to Yang Sun, M.D., Ph.D., and Rajashekhar biochemical and genetic analysis. Gangaraju, Ph.D., faculty members of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye “When glaucoma occurs in children, it deprives sight and Institute. severely impacts the lives of children and their families,” Dr. Sun said. “Our researchers continue to seek new avenues for funding in a highly competitive environment,” said “Only a few of the genes that cause these childhood Louis B. Cantor, M.D., chairman of the Department have been identified. Therefore, there is of Ophthalmology at the Glick Eye Institute. “We are a critical need to establish a biobank for congenital confident their continued success in acquiring research glaucoma samples and to identify novel genes in funds will provide the foundation for treatments and cures glaucoma,” said Dr. Sun. for blinding eye diseases.” Dr. Sun said childhood glaucomas present challenges • Dr. Sun, Assistant Professor Ophthalmology, received because of the small number of patients. “The national a $10,000 Mentoring for Advancement of - biobank for congenital glaucoma samples will help us Scientists award from the American Glaucoma to identify novel genes and to establish the glaucoma- Society and funded by Allergan. relevant database for future translational studies,” he said. • Dr. Gangaraju, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Cellular & Dr. Gangaraju’s funding is to support research into Integrative Physiology and the Indiana Center for . Vascular Biology and Medicine, received $7,500 from the Cryptic Masons Foundation “We have an ongoing relationship between Cryptic and the Knights Templar Foundation of Wisconsin for Masons Medical Foundation and the Indiana Center vascular research. for Vascular Biology and Medicine. Knights Templar Wisconsin joined this last year and started to fund Dr. Sun said his funding will be used to establish a research annually related to pediatric ophthalmology,” national database for children with congenital glaucoma, said Dr. Gangaraju.

“Our researchers continue to seek new avenues for funding in a highly competitive environment. We are confident their continued success in acquiring research funds will provide the foundation for treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases.”

Louis B. Cantor, M.D. Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Glick Eye Institute Yang Sun, M.D., Ph.D. Shekhar Gangaraju, Ph.D.

Spring 2013 7 Teenager is one of first in Indiana to participate in lens implant study

Familiar with pediatric ophthalmology Pediatric Ophthalmology since an at age 6, 15-year- and Adult old Jaycee Young and her family service in the Department were thrilled to learn the teenager of Ophthalmology at the was a candidate for a new clinical IU School of Medicine. study involving a lens implant. Physicians participating include service director “We were all very excited,” said David Plager, M.D., Daniel Shane Young, Jaycee’s dad. “We got Neely, M.D., Kathryn the call in December that she would Haider, M.D., and Heather Dr. Plager and Jaycee Young. Jaycee, now 15, has been Dr. Plager’s patient since an eye injury, at age 6. be one of the first patients. We were Smith, M.D. Four patients extremely excited when we found out have received the lens she had been approved for the study.” implant; two more are scheduled. company about making it available The study will determine whether an to children in this country more than produced by Ophtec Dr. Plager, who has cared for Jaycee 12 years ago,” Dr. Plager said. “It has USA, Inc. will correct , or since she was 6, said Jaycee was his taken that long to get it through all the absence of the eye’s natural second surgical patient in this study. the regulatory hurdles in the United crystalline lens. Her early prognosis is good, and he States. The track record of this lens said her vision should continue to in Europe has been very good, and The lens in the study is for children improve as her eye heals. we have no reason to think it won’t be who are not able to have a more the same here.” traditional lens implanted after “Jaycee’s vision is already back to the surgery or damage from level it was pre-operatively, but now Previous so-called anterior chamber other causes such as injury. Jaycee’s she has that vision without having to lenses were poorly designed, natural lens was damaged after her wear a or ,” said and patients often experienced injury from a paint-ball gun; this was Dr. Plager. complications. her fourth surgery to correct her vision. “I’m doing a lot better,” Jaycee said. “The lens used in this study is much “It used to be blurry, and when I smaller and lighter, and it holds in Jaycee is one of the first patients looked I would see double, but now place on the with little ‘claws’ that enrolled in the Artisan Aphakia that is clearing up.” look like crab claws,” he said. Lens clinical trial for patients age 2 to 21, and one of the first study Dr. Plager said this lens implant rests Dr. Plager said patients would not sites in this nationwide study is the in front of the iris, as opposed to the have immediate restoration of clear more traditional location vision, explaining that clarity would behind the iris where the improve over a couple of weeks. natural lens used to be. Jaycee and the other study patients It is designed for patients will be closely monitored to determine whose cannot have the success of the new lenses. a traditional lens implant because of damage from Jaycee said she’s seeing better and trauma -- as in Jaycee’s is looking forward to returning to her case -- or because of a favorite activities, including playing developmental anomaly basketball at Shenandoah High of the eye. School in Henry County. She’s a point guard who is a “pretty good shot,” “This lens was developed according to her dad. She’s also Dr. Plager, right, in the operating room for Jaycee’s surgery in the Netherlands a in the honors program and counts with Rick McCarkley, left, president of Ophtec USA, Inc., and couple of decades ago, biology, English and math among her Kathryn M. Haider, M.D. and I first approached the favorite subjects.

8 Spring 2013 Glick Eye Institute offers new outpatient treatment for chronic dry eye

Clark Springs, M.D., director of Dr. Springs said. “This new treatment Cornea and will help those patients who are very at the Glick Eye Institute is now frustrated with this chronic disease.” using LipiFlow, a new treatment for evaporative dry eye. Many dry eye therapies include using warm compresses and over- “Evaporative dry eye occurs when the-counter drops and ointments. glands in the eye become blocked, Prescription also can help. preventing the eye’s natural tears LipiFlow goes to the root cause of the from forming,” said Dr. Springs. problem by unblocking the glands.

“This results in symptoms such “The prevalence of dry eye Clark Springs, M.D. as dryness, grittiness, soreness, increases with age but can affect irritation, burning and eye fatigue, all age groups.” Dr. Springs said. women are affected by dry eye, and and can hinder daily activities such It is thought to be under-reported the prevalence continues to increase as wearing contact lenses, reading because symptoms may not with age. and using the computer.” be recognized or reported to a physician. For more information, visit: “Dry is one of the most www.glick.iu.edu/dry-eye common topics patients discuss Dr. Springs said that at age 50, 4 or when visiting eye care professionals,” percent of men and 7 percent of www.tearscience.com.

Glaucoma Progression Study participant doubles donation For the second year in a row, a participant in the of Ophthalmology at and Brent Siesky, Ph.D., assistant Indianapolis Glaucoma Progression Study has donated director of the Research and Diagnostic Center. $100,000 to support the study in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Glick Eye Institute. “Brent has been great, a terrific guy who is passionate about what he is doing. He explains everything in a way Julie Overbeck committed $100,000 in support in 2012 you can understand,” she said. and has provided another $100,000 this year to allow the research to continue. Overbeck said she decided to support the research because it allows her to help others. “People can live a “I’ve been a participant since the beginning of the study,” long time; but if they can’t see, it’s devastating in terms of Overbeck said. “I want to support it so it can continue for quality of life,” she said. another couple of years.”

Overbeck said glaucoma runs in her family and that she has had the disease for more than 20 years. While hers has not progressed to the point of blindness, she is an advocate for research and blindness prevention.

“My mom had macular degeneration, and she was blind the last 20 years of her life, though not from glaucoma,” Overbeck said. “So I have a particular interest in blindness.”

The Indianapolis Glaucoma Progression Study is the only long term study of glaucoma being done. Overbeck lauded the ongoing research of Alon Harris, M.S., Ph.D., FARVO, director of Clinical Research in the Department From left: Dr. Siesky, Julie Overbeck, and Dr. Harris

Spring 2013 9 Research team commits to Glick Eye Institute (continued from page 1)

Department of Ophthalmology. He holds grants from the “They are widely known and National Institutes of Health for respected for their research, and his research into age-related we are pleased Dr. Boulton will macular degeneration and diabetic shepherd our growing basic science retinopathy. program.” He will have secondary Dr. Boulton said several factors appointments as a professor of contributed to his decision to move biochemistry and molecular biology to the IU School of Medicine. and of optometry and vision science. Michael Boulton, Ph.D. He will also receive an appointment “I believe the environment at Indiana to the graduate school faculty. University is very supportive of cutting-edge cell and molecular Dr. Grant completed medical school, research, and the top administrators residency and recognize the importance of building an fellowship at the a strong vision science research University of Florida, followed by a and education program,” Dr. Boulton research fellowship at Wilmer Eye said. Institute before joining the faculty at the University of Florida in the “The new Eugene and Marilyn Department of Internal Medicine. Glick Eye Institute offers amazing potential, and I am looking forward She served as division chief of to working with Dr. Grant and endocrinology and metabolism for existing faculty to make this one seven years until she joined the of the top 10 vision research and Department of and training institutes in the U.S.,” Dr. Therapeutics. Boulton said. Maria Grant, M.D. She also holds joint appointments Dr. Boulton’s research has focused in the Department of Physiology on the pathobiology of the retinal and Functional Genomics, based therapies to treat vascular pigment epithelium and mechanisms Ophthalmology and Psychiatry. complications. of retinal neovascularization. He earned his Ph.D. in vision sciences Dr. Grant’s research is supported by “I am looking forward to working with at the University of Westminster the , National the faculty and administration at the and Institute of Ophthalmology, Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Glick Eye Institute to build a strong London. He was appointed a Fight and Kidney Diseases, National basic science program that will for Sight Fellow before taking a Heart Lung and Blood Institute, advance not only basic research, faculty position at the University of and Florida Department of Health but also translational studies that will Manchester. James and Esther King Biomedical move cell forward for vision- Research Program. threatening conditions such as age- Dr. Boulton then chaired the School related macular degeneration and of Optometry and Vision Sciences at Dr. Grant’s lab studies mechanisms diabetic retinopathy,” Dr. Grant said. Cardiff University before becoming that control circadian regulation director of the AMD Center at The of bone marrow cell release in She will have secondary University of Texas Medical Branch health and in chronic conditions appointments as a professor of at Galveston. He most recently such as diabetes. The goal of the cellular and integrative physiology was professor of anatomy and cell lab is developing novel strategies and optometry and vision science. biology at University of Florida, to optimize dysfunctional diabetic She also will receive an appointment Gainesville. progenitors prior to their use in cell- to the graduate school faculty.

10 Spring 2013 Ophthalmology faculty teach eye on planes and trains

Two faculty members in the Department of Ophthalmology “The emphasis of the week was management of pediatric volunteered with sight-saving organizations on planes and cataract, particularly the use of intraocular lens implants trains last fall, traveling to Zambia in Southern Africa and to in infants and children,” Dr. Neely said. “On Monday we Longyan Province in China to teach surgical skills to local conducted a screening clinic of about 25 potential cases ophthalmologists. and from this we selected 13 for surgery. These surgeries were then conducted Tuesday through Thursday in the Daniel Neely, M.D., pediatric ophthalmologist, and local hospital because of the need for pediatric Professor or Ophthalmology, traveled with ORBIS care (provided by two ORBIS volunteer anesthesiologists).” International and its flying eye hospital to Zambia and Yang Sun, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Dr. Neely has many success stories from previous trips – and a glaucoma specialist and researcher, visited this trip he met a young girl named Theresa who suffered China and worked with the Lifeline Express train. Both from acute acquired bilateral . organizations depend on volunteer ophthalmologists to provide training and share their expertise with local doctors “The unique thing about this program week was that we who can use the newfound techniques to care for the were accompanied by a 12-member film crew from the thousands of patients needing vision care in their remote Omega watch company, an ORBIS sponsor that recently produced a film featuring Daniel Craig of James Bond movie fame,” Dr. Neely said. “The second production filmed during my week was more focused on the patients’ stories. The film crew was present for our screening day and all of the surgery days,” Dr. Neely explained. “The crew filmed the story of my patient Theresa, recorded her surgery and will feature her in the new production.”

Dr. Neely said that film should be complete soon. The film and a blog post about Dr. Neely’s patient Theresa, can be accessed from the ORBIS website, www.orbis.org.

Daniel Neely, M.D., with a young Zambian patient who had suffered from acute acquired bilateral cataracts. areas.

Dr. Neely volunteers with the global nonprofit ORBIS several times a year and has traveled to Vietnam, Jamaica, India, South Africa, Peru and Uganda. Last fall Dr. Neely became senior medical advisor of the organization’s Cyber Sight Telemedicine program, begun by his mentor, Emeritus Professor Eugene Helveston, M.D.

The telemedicine program provides internet-based consultation to assist physicians in developing nations with Yang Sun, M.D., Ph.D., examines a young patient in Longyan Province, diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmic conditions as well as China. continuing education. Dr. Sun said the Lifeline Express trip paired volunteers with On his most recent ORBIS trip, Dr. Neely worked with the local physicians who need additional training to care for the only practicing pediatric ophthalmologist in Zambia, Dr. patients who desperately need their surgical skills. Mboni, who is based at the Kitwe Eye Hospital in Kitwe. (continued on page 12)

Spring 2013 11 Department of Ophthalmology 1160 W. Michigan Street Indianapolis, IN 46202

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Ophthalmology faculty teach eye surgeries on planes and trains (continued from page 11)

Like ORBIS, Lifeline works with local that surgical expertise from the visiting doctors,” he said of provide operating room space and other support the Chinese physicians. services. The patients benefit, too, he said. “There is a lot of “Eye care is very poor in these remote areas, and we unmet need in these areas, and the physicians can see really difficult patients with challenging cases,” said perform up to 50 cataract surgeries a day. We have two Dr. Sun. Most of the cases involve missions on these trips – to train the physicians and to although Dr. Sun said other challenging complex cases treat the patients.” are not uncommon. In China, physicians can spend up to six months on the train, working with visiting doctors More information about Lifeline Express is available at: in remote locations. “It’s good for them, and they gain www.lxenglish.com/

Ophthalmology Update is distributed by the Eugene and Call Center Numbers Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology For appointments and/or referrals to a clinic operated by at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Please send the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, please call: any address changes, updates, comments or suggestions 317.274.2020 or 877.224.8393 (toll free) for items to include in future newsletters to: Lynn Smith at 317.274.1044 or [email protected] 12 Spring 2013