® Bascom Palmer Eye Institute | University of Miami Health System UHEALTH VOLUME XXXVIII ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2020 AI Artificial Intelligence and Your Sight Global Expertise Bascom Palmer Ranked No. 1 in USA Again Bascom Palmer Eye Institute’s mission is to enhance the quality of life by improving sight, preventing blindness, and advancing ophthalmic knowledge through compassionate patient care and innovative vision research. FEATURE The Power of AI Artificial intelligence has the power to transform 2 2 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION BEST 10 Protecting Vision 11 OVERALL Global Impact 12 ( PROGRAM ) BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE BASCOM PALMER EXCELLENCE 1 University of Miami WILMER EYE INSTITUTEE 2 Johns Hopkins University Awards and Honors 16 WILLS EYE HOSPITAL 3 Thomas Jefferson University MASSACHUTES EYE AND EAR 4 Harvard University Welcome New Faculty 19 W.K. KELLOGG EYE CENTER 5 University of Michigan UNIVERSITY OF IOWA 20 6 Carver College of Medicine Events DUKE UNIVERSITY EYE CENTER 7 Duke University Hospital MORAN EYE CENTER Profiles in Philanthropy 24 8 University of Utah STEIN & DOHERTY EYE INSTITUTE 9 University of California, Los Angeles CASEY EYE INSTITUTE 10 University of Oregon 18 DEAN MCGEE EYE INSTITUTE 11 University of Oklahoma STORM EYE INSTITUTE 12 Medicals University of South Carolina Bascom Palmer members of Iron Arrow (left to right): Drs. Chris Alabiad, Eduardo Alfonso, Richard Lee, Steven Gedde, Jean-Marie Parel, David Tse and Michael Gittelman. Not pictured are Drs. John Clarkson, Sanjoy Bhattacharya and alumnus Gordon Miller. 13 Dear Friends and Colleagues: Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is a global leader in Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser developing artificial intelligence (AI) systems for Chair in Ophthalmology the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute diseases and disorders. Editor Marla Bercuson Our innovative Artificial Intelligence and Computer Executive Director of Business Operations Augmented Vision Laboratory is developing Bascom Palmer Eye Institute personalized digital glasses to augment the vision Anne Bates Leach Eye Center of patients with sight-stealing conditions. Our Miami 900 NW 17 Street scientists and clinicians are also developing artificial Miami, Florida 33136 intelligence algorithms to analyze vast databases of 305-326-6000 digital images to diagnose eye diseases – a step that Toll free in USA 800-329-7000 could revolutionize eye care in underserved communities around the world. Palm Beach Gardens 7101 Fairway Drive This issue of Images highlights many of the exciting ways we are putting AI Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 to use in ophthalmology, turning yesterday’s “gee-whiz” science fiction into 561-515-1500 today’s sophisticated diagnostic, treatment and monitoring technology. Naples 3880 Tamiami Trail North Of course, the development of AI systems and solutions would not be Naples, Florida 34103 possible without the human intelligence and skills of our clinicians, 239-659-3937 scientists and educators. Whether treating a child’s strabismus, an Plantation adolescent’s traumatic injury or a senior’s glaucoma, our clinicians are 8100 SW 10 Street dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the natural gift of vision. Plantation, Florida 33324 954-465-2700 It is a credit to our entire team that two prestigious publications have once Coral Gables again ranked the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute No. 1 in the United States. The Lennar Foundation Medical Center For the 18th time, U.S. News & World Report ranked Bascom Palmer the best 5555 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables, Florida 33146 eye hospital in the nation; and Ophthalmology Times named us the nation’s 305-689-0416 No. 1 overall ophthalmology program and the best in clinical care and recognized our residency program as the country’s finest. 24-Hour Emergency 305-326-6170 As we begin a new decade, our Patient Appointments dedicated team of clinicians, 305-243-2020 scientists and educators Toll free in USA 888-845-0002 continues to focus on the future in keeping with our tradition of bascompalmer.org leadership in vision beyond 2020. With the support of our generous donors, sponsors and industry partners, Images is produced by Bascom Palmer Eye Bascom Palmer will continue to make life-changing discoveries in every Institute with support from the George C. Brosius Endowment Fund. field of ophthalmology. Thank you for helping to advance our mission. Eduardo C. Alfonso, M.D. Kathleen and Stanley J. Glaser Chair in Ophthalmology Director, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute BASCOM PALMER EYE INSTITUTE 1 Artificial Intelligence AI and Vision Screening children for eye problems, diagnosing corneal and retina disorders and developing digital glasses for patients with limited vision are among Bascom Palmer’s many artificial intelligence initiatives that are contributing to the future of vision care. In the world of fashion, image is everything. The Institute’s William L. and Evelyn F. McKnight Vision right look turns heads and captures the attention Research Center. The team has developed AI software of social media influencers. At Bascom Palmer that can analyze high-resolution optical coherence Eye Institute, images of the eye play an even more tomography (OCT) images and determine with important role, helping clinicians diagnose, treat and exceptional accuracy whether the corneal tissues in manage diseases that affect vision. the front of the eye are healthy or not. Now, Bascom Palmer’s physicians and scientists Bascom Palmer’s new AI system can provide have teamed up to combine the power of artificial accurate early diagnoses of vision disorders that intelligence (AI) with advanced three-dimensional change the shape and health of the cornea, such as (3D) optical imaging to create the world’s first keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy and eye infections. It autonomous artificial intelligence system for can also better detect dry eye syndrome, a condition corneal tissues – a remarkable advance that could that affects an estimated one in eight U.S. adults but dramatically improve vision care around the globe. lacks an objective and accurate diagnostic technique. “Artificial intelligence is creating “We are looking at a number of conditions on the a revolution in ophthalmology, and corneal tissues and surface of Bascom Palmer is in the forefront,” the eye,” said Sonia Yoo, M.D., a said Mohamed Abou Shousha, professor of ophthalmology and a M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of specialist in corneal and external clinical ophthalmology. diseases. “Our goal is to take Abou Shousha, who holds those OCT images, feed them into secondary appointments our diagnostic suite and use this in electrical and computer leading-edge system in patient engineering and in biomedical clinics. A trained technician engineering, leads a team of 15 can then use those images for clinicians, engineers, trainees, highly sophisticated diagnoses, and doctoral students at Bascom regardless of geographic location, Palmer’s Artificial Intelligence which allows us to share Bascom and Computer Augmented Vision Palmer’s expertise globally.” Laboratory, located within the Dr. Sonia Yoo 2 BASCOMPALMER.ORG Artificial Intelligence and Vision Dr. Mohamed Abou Shousha Screening children for eye problems, diagnosing in a “visual obstacle course” designed to help patients with limited peripheral vision corneal and retina disorders and developing digital navigate successfully in a variety of settings using digital glasses glasses for patients with limited vision are among developed in his laboratory. Bascom Palmer’s many artificial intelligence initiatives that are contributing to the future of vision care. Advanced Corneal Diagnostic Software were created to build an autonomous AI system. “Any Bascom Palmer’s autonomous AI system incorporates neural network needs to be taught, and it’s only as three leading-edge technologies, beginning with good as its training,” said Abou Shousha. “In this case, advanced OCT imaging. Although OCT technology our AI system now has an accuracy of over 99 percent has been available for more than two decades, in diagnosing many corneal conditions.” ophthalmologists have primarily focused on the For instance, the AI system is able to recognize retina and macula in the posterior part of the eye. the early stages of keratoconus, a progressive eye “One reason is that there has been little ability to disease in which the cornea thins and bulges to form produce clinically relevant information from a basic a cone-like shape, leading to loss of vision. Because cross-sectional image of the cornea,” said Abou of the distorted shape of the cornea, individuals Shousha. with keratoconus should not have refractive (LASIK) To improve that capability, Abou Shousha developed surgery. Currently, the standard of care is to screen Corneal Microlayer Tomography (C-MLT), an advanced every patient for keratoconus before LASIK surgery, OCT tool that provides 3D images of the individual and the AI system will permit accurate detection of layers of the cornea. “C-MLT is the only available keratoconus even in the early stage of development. diagnostic system that can show all layers of the Bascom Palmer’s system can also quickly evaluate cornea and permit easier recognition of findings patients facing cataract surgery for Fuchs’ dystrophy, that differ from normal conditions, which improves and forewarn the surgeon and the patient of a substantially upon existing methods for diagnosis of heightened risk of post-operative swelling