November 2013

NEWS | HONORS, AWARDS & GRANTS | PHILANTHROPY | PRESS | RECENT PUBLICATIONS | CALENDAR

As the holiday season quickly approaches, I wish to thank you all for your continued dedication and hard work. The expansion of our educational symposia, the creation of new multidisciplinary collaborations, and our robust participation in annual meetings are a testament to our continued growth and leadership. Once again, we had a strong showing at this year’s AAO annual meeting. Thanks to all who participated during the week.

Our department continues to make important contributions that have an impact on a global scale, and our record of departmental achievement is something for which we can all be proud. During the last month, for example, more than 30 investigations have been published by faculty in peer-reviewed journals–an impressive number!

Beginning with this issue of eyeNews™, we will make every effort to include all scholarship from the department each month by combing through PubMed. However, to ensure that our listing is comprehensive and that your work is included, please email the eyeNews staff.

With festivities upon us, there will be no eyeNews published in December, so look for your next issue in the new year.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Joan W. Miller, MD, FARVO
Henry Willard Williams Professor of Ophthalmology
Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School
Chief of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and
Massachusetts General Hospital

HMS Ophthalmology News

Cornea Center of Excellence hosts three days of unparalleled learning and discussion. The HMS Department of Ophthalmology Cornea Center of Excellence (COE) took center stage on October 17-19th when it hosted its 28th Biennial Cornea Conference and its first International Workshop. Since the 1960s, the Biennial Cornea Conference has brought together the best minds in corneal science and medicine to explore current basic and translational research developments of the cornea and anterior ocular surface, and promote interaction and discussion among leaders in the field. This year’s conference, co-chaired by James Chodosh and Reza Dana, drew more than 200 participants and was held at the Schepens Starr Center for Scientific Communications. Program sessions included Epithelial and Ocular Surface Biology, Microbiology and Innate Immunity, Adaptive Immunity, New and Emerging Technologies, Pain and Neurogenic Inflammation, and Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine. Over seventy scientific posters were displayed during the poster session.

First Ocular Genomics Institute Symposium launches important dialogue around global research efforts. On October 21, 2013 some of the most profound thought leaders in ophthalmic genetic and genomic science shared their latest research, insights and advances during an intensive, one-day symposium hosted by the HMS Department of Ophthalmology Ocular Genomics Institute (OGI). The inaugural event, held at the Schepens Eye Research Institute Starr Center, was titled, “Genetics and

Genomics of Eye Disease,” and explored current research for a wide a range of inherited eye diseases and their impact on patients and their families. The strategic timing of the symposium – held the day before the American Society of Human Genetics convention at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center – helped draw a diverse audience of 100 geneticists, ophthalmologists, genetic counselors and researchers, as well as an international mix of distinguished presenters. Among them: Stuart MacGregor (Queensland Institute of Medical Research), Nico Katsanis, PhD (Duke University), Jonathan Haines, PhD (Vanderbilt University), and Rob W. J. Collin, PhD (Radbound University Medical Centre, Nijmegen Netherlands).

“The Boston-Cambridge area, in particular, is one of the most concentrated regions for genomic science,” said Eric Pierce, MD, PhD, director of the OGI and the Solman and Libe Friedman Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. “We have an incredible wealth of information to share with the global community and them with us. Venues like this present a unique opportunity to pool ideas, validate our research, refine our investigations, and move forward in a rational and strategic manner that speeds up the pace of discovery and clinical advancements worldwide.”

Mass. Eye and Ear announces comprehensive genetic testing for patients with inherited eye diseases. One exciting piece of news announced at the OGI symposium is that Mass. Eye and Ear is the first and only location in the northeast to offer comprehensive genetic diagnostic testing for patients with inherited eye disease. The Genetic Eye Disease (GEDi) test uses two DNA sequencing technologies to simultaneously analyze multiple genomic regions for potential disease-causing mutations in 234 genes associated with inherited retinal disease (IRD), early-onset glaucoma and optic atrophy. The GEDi test can provide clinicians and patients with accurate genetic diagnoses, which can improve genetic counseling and facilitate focal ocular treatments and therapies, including corrective gene therapy clinical trials. Read more...

Congratulations to Gang Luo whose Super Vision cell phone magnifier app is getting rave reviews from users for its excellent image stabilization capability. From reading small print to seeing signs in the distance, this technology is helping people with low vision see better and clearer by eliminating image shaking as a result of the magnified hand tremor. Users can magnify, freeze the image and move it around. Eli Peli, who now recommends Super Vision to patients in his clinic, suggested the app to HMS alumnus, Richard Alan Lewis, MD, MS, who was speaking at a conference in Texas recently for parents of visually impaired kids with albinism. According to Dr. Lewis, one mother loaded it on the spot for a group of parents who “were stunned” by the technology. The app is free and available from iTunes.

On the move… A final update on staff relocations associated with the now completed 2013 remodeling of the Schepens administrative building. Staff members who are now located on the first floor in the new north-side suite include Marcia Davis, Manager of Pre-Award for Schepens Ophthalmology Research Administration, and Adam Ovoian, core equipment manager for Schepens and Mass. Eye and Ear. Sam Kasuli and Gianna Ramirez have relocated to offices 200 and 211 on the second floor. The Research IT team is now located on the second floor, north side suite and includes Leo Hill (Office 213), Brian Anderson (Office 212), Tom Boci, Robert Ni, Chas Simmons and Cheryl Semedo.

Please welcome Alan Abend to the Mass. Eye and Ear OCRO clinical research grant administration team. Alan has prior experience in clinical research administration from Boston Children’s Hospital and will help the OCRO team meet the administrative needs of the department’s expanding clinical research program.

If you think women have achieved parity with men in the fields of math and science, you might want to read this article from The New York Times.

Faculty members, beware of money-making scams that will not promote your work or advance your career! The October 4th issue of Science called attention to several journals that may invite you to participate in conferences or to publish in new open access journals, which may not be reputable. If you have questions about a journal's quality or stature, please contact the staff at the Countway Library.

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Honors, Awards & Grants

Dean Eliott and Demetrios Vavvas have been accepted for 2014 membership into The Macula Society.

Kathryn Colby, Suzanne Freitag and Patricia D’Amore were three of 11 recipients honored with the inaugural Women in Ophthalmology 2013 Mentorship award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding mentors in the ophthalmology community who have a sustained career commitment to mentoring, and a significant positive impact on their mentees' careers, research and patient care in the field of ophthalmology. Awardees also were honored at the Women Physicians Section business meeting at the AMA Annual Meeting, November 16 in National Harbor, Maryland.

In October 2013, Tom Merrill, manager of Mass. Eye and Ear's optical services, was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to the Board of Registration of Dispensing Opticians, where he will serve until January 1, 2016. The Board is responsible for licensing dispensing opticians and ensuring compliance with state statutes and the Board's rules and regulations, as well as conducting hearings and facilitating resolutions to consumer complaints. The Board also manages apprenticeship training programs, approves educational standards for school-based opticianry programs, and monitors the continuing education requirements of licensees.

Neha Sangal was selected as the 2013-2014 Richard J. Simmons and Ruthanne B. Simmons Glaucoma Fellow. This annual recognition was established in 2011 to honor the life and career of Dr. Ruthanne Simmons and the work of her father, Dr. Richard Simmons. Both were glaucoma physicians. Dr. Simmons and his wife, Anne, have been generous supporters of Mass. Eye and Ear and the Ophthalmology educational program. The award will provide funding support for Dr. Sangal’s fellowship training.

The 2013 Claes Dohlman Society Award was presented to Allen Eghrari, a fellow in the Division of Cornea, Cataract and External Diseases at the Wilmer Eye Institute. The award is given annually to a cornea fellow who demonstrates academic, surgical and research excellence. Dr. Eghrari received the award on November 16, 2013 in New Orleans during the Claes Dohlman Society dinner at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting.

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Press

One More Use for the iPhone – Eye Exams: October 1, 2013 (gizmag.com) This article describes the simple, inexpensive technique developed by Luis Haddock, David Kim and Shizuo Mukai for taking high-quality fundus pictures with a smartphone. The technique was originally described in the Journal of Ophthalmology.

Topical Antibiotics after Eye Injections May Be Harmful: October 26, 2013 (Medscape Medical News) John Loewenstein, quoted as an expert source, agrees with the conclusions of a large study published online October 2, 2013 in Ophthalmology, which found that the use of topical antibiotic drops after intravitreal injections may increase the risk of endophthalmitis and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Eat Your Greens to Keep Macular Degeneration at Bay: November 6, 2013 (themercury.com.au) Joan W. Miller’s presentation on AMD at the 45th annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists was the focus of an article in the Australian press.

Local Doctor Invents Revolutionary Prism Glasses: November 11, 2013 (Boston Magazine) and November 19, 2013 (Boston University, The Daily Free Press) This story reports on a research study published November 7th in JAMA Ophthalmology, which describes how Prism Glasses—invented by Eli Peli—provide a simple, very effective, inexpensive treatment option to improve the quality of life of hemianopia patients.

Success of supplementation linked to genetic risk factors for AMD progression: November 13, 2013 (Helio.com) This article focuses on Ivana Kim and Anne-Marie Lane’s research (published in August in Ophthalmology), which found that individuals with moderate AMD might benefit from a pharmacogenomic selection of nutritional supplements.

Eyedrops Using Novel Compound Restore Corneal Cells: November 19, 2013 (Medscape Medical News) Kathryn Colby is quoted in this article, which describes a pioneering technique, developed by researchers from Kyoto Prefectural University of Japan, that uses Rho kinase inhibitor eye drops to stimulate the growth of corneal epithelium.

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Recent Publications

Bowers AR, Keeney K, Peli E. “Randomized crossover clinical trial of real and sham peripheral prism glasses for hemianopia,” in JAMA Ophthalmology – 2013 November 7

Cruzat A, Shukla A, Dohlman CH, Colby K. “Wound anatomy after type 1 Boston KPro using oversized back plates,” in Cornea – 2013 December

Daly MK, Gonzalez E, Siracuse-Lee D, Legutko PA. “Efficacy of surgical simulator training versus traditional wet-lab training on operating room performance of ophthalmology residents during the capsulorhexis in cataract surgery,” in Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery – 2013 November

Dorr M, Lesmes LA, Lu ZL, Bex PJ. “Rapid and reliable assessment of the contrast sensitivity function on an iPad,” in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science – 2013 November 5

Dyer KH, Silva PS, Sun JK. “Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and vitreous proteome changes in diabetic retinopathy,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Ehrenberg M, Pierce EA, Cox GF, Fulton AB. “CRB1: One gene, many phenotypes,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Graeber CP, Hunter DG, Engle EC. “The genetic basis of incomitant strabismus: Consolidation of the current knowledge of the genetic foundations of disease,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Haddock LJ, Kim DY, Mukai S. “Simple, inexpensive technique for high-quality smartphone fundus photography in human and animal eyes,” in Journal of Ophthalmology – 2013

Haun AM, Peli E. “Perceived contrast in complex images,” in Journal of Vision – 2013 November 4

Hellström A, Smith LE, Dammann O. “Retinopathy of prematurity,” in Lancet – 2013 October 26

Huckfeldt R, Vavvas, DG. “Neuroprotection for retinal detachment,” in International Ophthalmology Clinics – 2013 Fall

Lei H, Kazlauskas A. “A ROS-mediated, self-perpetuating loop persistently activates PDGFRα,” in Molecular Cell Biology – 2013 November 4

Miller JB, Yoshihiro Y, Eliott D, Vavvas DG. “A review of traumatic macular hole: Diagnosis and treatment,” International Ophthalmology Clinics – 2013 Fall

Miller JW. “The Harvard angiogenesis story,” in Survey of Ophthalmology – 2013October 15

Nishiguchi KM, Tearle RG, Liu YP, Oh EC, Miyake N, Benaglio P, Harper S, Koskiniemi-Kuendig H, Venturini G, Sharon D, Koenekoop RK, Nakamura M, Kondo M, Ueno S, Yasuma TR, Beckmann JS, Ikegawa S, Matsumoto N, Terasaki H, Berson EL, Katsanis N, Rivolta C. “Whole genome sequencing in patients with retinitis pigmentosa reveals pathogenic DNA structural changes and NEK2 as a new disease gene,” in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA – 2013 October 1

Ojha P, Wiggs JL, Pasquale LR. “The genetics of intraocular pressure,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Omar AF, Silva PS, Sun JK.“Genetics of diabetic retinopathy,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Papakostas TD, Yonekawa Y, Skondra D, Vavvas DG. “Traumatic chorioretinal rupture (sclopetaria),” in International Ophthalmology Clinics – Fall 2013

Papas EB, Ciolino JB, Jacobs D, Miller WS, Pult H, Sahin A, Srinivasan S, Tauber J, Wolffsohn JS, Nelson JD; members of the TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort. “The TFOS international workshop on contact lens discomfort: Report of the management and therapy subcommittee,” in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science – 2013 October 18

Pasquale LR, Brusie S. “The blue arc entoptic phenomenon in glaucoma (an American ophthalmological thesis),” in Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society – 2013 September

Qazi Y, Hamrah P. “Gene therapy in corneal transplantation,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Seto D, Jones MS, Dyer DW, Chodosh J. “Characterizing, typing, and naming human adenovirus type 55 in the era of whole genome data,” in Journal of Clinical Virology – 2013 October 5

Stevenson W, Shikari H, Saboo US, Amparo F, Dana R. “Bilateral corneal ulceration in ocular graft-versus-host disease,” in Clinical Ophthalmology – 2013 October 31

Turek SJ, Hastings SM, Sun JK, King GL, Keenan HA. “Sexual dysfunction as a marker of cardiovascular disease in males with 50 or more years of type 1 diabetes,” in Diabetes Care – 2013 October

Villani E, Baudouin C, Efron N, Hamrah P, Kojima T, Patel SV, Pflugfelder SC, Zhivov A, Dogru M. “In vivo confocal microscopy of the ocular surface: From bench to bedside,” in Current Eye Research – 2013 November 11

Walshe TE, Dela Paz NG, D’Amore PA. “The role of shear-induced transforming growth factor-β signaling in the endothelium,” in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology – 2013 November

Werdich XQ, Jakobiec FA, Singh AD, Kim IK. “A review of advanced genetic testing for clinical prognostication in uveal melanoma,” in Seminars in Ophthalmology – 2013 September-November

Wiggs JL, Pierce EA. “Genetic testing for inherited eye disease: Who benefits?” in JAMA Ophthalmology – 2013 October 1

Yonekawa Y, Chodosh J, Eliott D. “Surgical techniques in the management of perforating injuries of the globe,” in International Ophthalmology Clinics – 2013 Fall

Yonekawa Y, Papakostas TD, Marra KV, Arroyo JG. “Endoscopic pars plana vitrectomy for the management of severe ocular trauma,” in International Ophthalmology Clinics – 2013 Fall

Yousuf MA, Zhou X, Mukherjee S, Chintakuntlawar AV, Lee JY, Ramke M, Chodosh J, Rajaiya J. “Caveolin-1 associated adenovirus entry into human corneal cells,” in PLoS One – 2013 October 11

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