# Eye News April 2014 April 01, 2014 ![eyeNews](/sites/g/files/omnuum9886/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/eye/files/eye-news_0.png?itok=MM1lJ0ar) [NEWS](#news) | [HONORS, AWARDS & GRANTS](#honors) | [PHILANTHROPY](#philanthropy) | [PRESS](#press) | [RECENT PUBLICATIONS](#pub) | [CALENDAR](/events/calendar) As we announced at our recent faculty retreat, we have launched the newest multi-disciplinary collaboration in the Harvard Medical School (HMS) Department of Ophthalmology—the **Infectious Disease Institute (IDI)**, directed by **Michael Gilmore**. The IDI aims to establish HMS as a world leader in early-phase antimicrobial discovery; eye, ear, nose, and throat infection research; and early-phase, next generation genomics-based personalized diagnostic development. At the retreat, Mike reported that the IDI was currently building an advisory group and integrating cutting-edge efforts in industry and academics that he has organized, including several pre-existing programs and initiatives, including the Boston Area Antibiotic Resistance Network (BAARN) and the Harvard-Wide Program on Antibiotic Resistance. Since the beginning of this year, the IDI also has created a strain and metadata repository in the Diagnostic Microbiology Laboratory at Mass. Eye and Ear. Prior to 2014, the Laboratory identified infectious strains and determined the necessary antibiotics to treat the infection, but did not retain the biological samples. The Strain Repository now contains more than 400 isolated bacterial strains and provides valuable data for researchers investigating infectious diseases. In related news, the first public access infectious disease textbook, *[**Enterococci: From Commensals to Leading Causes of Drug Resistant Infection**](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK190424/)*, was published in late March and is now available, free of charge, on NCBI’s bookshelf. Mike Gilmore organized and was editor-in-chief of this textbook, and his work on antibiotic resistance has recently received attention in the April/May issue of *[Harvard Magazine](http://harvardmagazine.com/2014/05/superbug)*. On a more subdued note, I also want to take this time to bring you up to date on the health status of one of our most esteemed and beloved faculty members. As some of you may know, **Lloyd M. Aiello** is recovering from a stroke he suffered several weeks ago. His son, Lloyd Paul, has thoughtfully kept me apprised of his dad’s progress and has reported that - in his father’s usual determined style—he has transitioned to a rehab facility where he is pushing himself hard, doing well and continuing to gain strength and mobility. Most importantly, he remains in good spirits. The Aiello family would like to extend their deepest thanks for all the concern and warm wishes expressed by colleagues and friends during this challenging time. 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 **2014 ARVO Annual Meeting and HMS Ophthalmology Reception** This year’s meeting will be held May 4th-8th in Orlando, Florida. HMS Ophthalmology will be hosting a reception on Sunday, May 4 from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, located at 9801 International Drive, directly next to the convention center. **CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Annual Meeting & Alumni Reunion Weekend Poster Contest** The contest is open to trainees and other students in the Department of Ophthalmology. Work that has been presented at other meetings (including ARVO) is welcome. Files should be emailed to with “Poster Submission” in the subject line. Judging will take place at the Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill Hotel, 15th Floor on June 20, 2014 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and the winner will be announced at 3:30 pm the same day. **Submission Deadline: May 31, 2014** For more information, visit: [www.masseyeandear.org/annualmeeting/poster](http://www.masseyeandear.org/annualmeeting/poster) **CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: NEOS Hecht Awards for Best Resident and Fellow Posters** Residents and fellows from all the New England ophthalmologic teaching programs are encouraged to submit abstracts for a scientific poster presentation contest held May 30, 2014 at the New England Ophthalmological Society (NEOS) meeting. Posters will be judged on originality and scientific merit and cash awards will be made. Poster presentations exhibited at ARVO in 2014 and at the AAO meeting in 2013 may be submitted. **Submission Deadline: May 1, 2014**. For questions, please contact Judy Cerone Keenan ( or 617-227-6484). **Schooling State Policy Makers on the Teaching Hospital Mission** Mass. Eye and Ear was the final stop for the Conference of Boston Teaching Hospitals’ (COBTH) 2014 Project Medical Education program. On Tuesday, March 25, COBTH, and three of its member hospitals—Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass. General Hospital (MGH) and Mass. Eye and Ear—hosted participants for this day-long experience. As part of their tour of Mass. Eye and Ear, the group visited the Ophthalmology Wet Lab, where residents **Kristine Lo** and **Lisa Cowan** helped them experience the “feel” of eye surgery. **Keratoprosthesis Conference** Fourteen investigators from the **Boston KPro** team attended an international conference on keratoprosthesis in Salzburg, Austria on April 12, 2014. **Award-Winning Flim Based on Harvard Researcher's Book** The feature film “[Una Vida: A Fable of Music and the Mind](http://www.unavidafilm.com)” won the 2014 Audience Award at the Vail Film Festival premiere. Based on Nicolas Bazan’s novel, the film follows the story of a renowned neuroscientist, Dr. Alvaro Cruz, after he encounters an African American jazz singer, Una Vida, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The West Coast premiere of “Una Vida” will be held at the 2014 Newport Beach Film Festival on Saturday, April 26th. Nicolas Bazan conducted research thesis work at Harvard University from 1965 to 1968. He is currently the Ernest C. and Yvette C. Villere Professor of Ophthalmology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Neurology at Louisiana State University (LSU) as well as the Director of the LSU Neuroscience Center of Excellence. [Return to top](#top) ## HMS Faculty Updates **Departures: At the end of June, **Kenneth Chang** will end his practice at Mass. Eye and Ear and move home to sunny Hawaii to work in private practice. Kenny earned his MPH from Johns Hopkins University in 2000, completed a neuro-ophthalmology fellowship at Mass. Eye and Ear under Joe Rizzo and Simmons Lessell in 2007, and joined the Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cataract Consultation Service the following year. Kenny has been an outstanding member of our faculty, a top-notch clinician and surgeon, and a valued mentor to his trainees. He and **Sheila Borboli-Gerogiannis** were instrumental in launching our Comprehensive Ophthalmology practice at Joslin’s Beetham Eye Institute and helped build it into the practice that is now located at the Longwood center. A devoted teacher, Kenny has helped many residents hone their skills in microsurgical cataract techniques, and served on the development team for the Mass. Eye and Ear’s Cataract Master™, which is now available to trainees nationwide. Kenny continues to broaden his own knowledge base and recently completed his MBA in Healthcare and Finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. We wish him all the best. [Return to top](#top) ## Honors, Awards & Grants **Lloyd Paul Aiello** was recently appointed Hong Leong Visiting Professor in Ophthalmology at the National University of Singapore. The Beetham Eye Institute will be the first study site to enroll patients in the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net) trial, “Short-term Evaluation of Combination Corticosteroid + Anti-VEGF Treatment for Persistent Central-Involved DME Following Anti-VEGF Therapy in Pseudophakic Eyes.” **Paolo Silva** and **Paul Arrigg** are co-principal investigators for this trial. **George Sharuk** is the DRCR.net site PI and **Ann Kopple** is the Administrative Coordinator for the DRCR.net trials. **James Chodosh** was appointed Co-Editor-in-Chief of the *British Journal of Ophthalmology*. **Patricia D’Amore** was awarded the International Society for Eye Research (ISER) 2014 Endre A. Balazs Prize for her outstanding contributions in the field of experimental eye research. **Louis Pasquale** was awarded an R01 from the NIH totaling more than $1.8 million payable over four years for his project, “Gene-Environment Interactions in Glaucoma.” **Mary Whitman,** of Boston Children’s Hospital, has been selected as the HMS Department of Ophthalmology 2014 National Institutes of Health K12 scholar recipient. Third year resident **Yoshihiro Yonekawa** has been selected as a 2014-2015 Heed Fellow. **Rachel Huckfeldt**, a 2013 graduate of the HMS Department of Ophthalmology Residency Training Program, also received a Heed Fellowship. Additionally, three incoming fellows were awarded Heed Fellowships: - **Brian Hafler:** Inherited Retinal Degenerations with Eric Pierce and Eliot Berson (also received a Clinical Research Fellowship award from the Foundation Fighting Blindness) - **Mira Sachdeva:** Vitreoretinal Surgery with Dean Eliott - **Hilary Brader:** Medical Retina with Deeba Husain Of note, the Medical Retina fellowship is new for this upcoming academic year. [Return to top](#top) ## Philanthropy $100,000 pending bequest from **Sylvia R. Goldberg** for AMD research [Return to top](#top) ## Press [**Children's Eye Health 101**](http://www.bostonparentspaper.com/article/childrens-eye-health-101.html) and [**Q&A: Kids' Eye Infections, Conditions & Allergies**](http://www.bostonparentspaper.com/article/qa-kids-eye-infections-conditions-allergies-52f2bbe59c3a3.html): March 13, 2014 (*Boston Parent’s Paper*) Pediatric ophthalmology specialist, **Melanie Kazlas**, was quoted in two articles on children’s eye health and allergies. **[Harvard Scientists Visualize New Treatments for Retinal Blindness](http://www.sciencecodex.com/harvard_scientists_visualize_new_treatments_for_retinal_blindness-130463)**: March 26, 2014 (*Science Codex*) Members of the Angiogenesis Laboratory published a new report published online in *The FASEB Journal* that may lead the way toward new treatments for proliferative retinopathy. Researchers discovered that the body's innate immune system does more than help ward off external pathogens—it also helps remove sight-robbing abnormal blood vessels, while leaving healthy cells and tissue intact. Kip Connor is quoted. [**Smarter Contacts, No More Needles**](http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/39562/title/Smarter-Contacts--No-More-Needles/): March 26, 2014 (*The Scientist*) Nanotechnology could transform the way clinicians treat eye diseases. Joseph Ciolino provided his expertise on the subject. [**Ocular Injuries from Terrorism Often Catastrophic**](http://www.medscape.com/welcome/news): April 9, 2014 (*Medscape Medical News*) Ocular trauma from warfare or terrorist attacks carries a high risk of devastating vision loss, according to retrospective review of ocular injuries from terrorist attacks. Ophthalmology resident, Yoshihiro Yonekawa, who treated victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, weighed in on this article. [**Superbug: An Epidemic Begins**](http://harvardmagazine.com/2014/05/superbug): May-June 2014 (*Harvard Magazine*) In this article, Michael Gilmore explains how he and his colleagues in the Harvard-wide Program on Antibiotic Resistance are using genomic techniques to trace the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. [Return to top](#top) ## Recent Publications **(MARCH 2014)** **Artornsombudh P**, Pistilli M, **Foster CS**, **Pujari SS**, Gangaputra SS, Jabs DA, Levy-Clarke GA, Nussenblatt RB, Rosenbaum JT, Suhler EB, Thorne JE, Kempen JH. [Factors predictive of remission of new-onset anterior uveitis](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642013008865). *Ophthalmology* – 2014 March [](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642013008865) **Bowers AR, Ananyev E, Mandel AJ, Goldstein RB, Peli E.** [Driving with hemianopia: IV. Head scanning and detection at intersections in a simulator](http://www.iovs.org/content/55/3/1540.long). *Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science* – 2014 March 13 Cheng L, Desai J, Miranda CJ, Duncan JS, Qiu W, Nugent AA, Kolpak AL, Wu CC, Drokhlyansky E, Delisle MM, Chan WM, Wei Y, Propst F, Reck-Peterson SL, Fritzsch B, **Engle EC**. [Human CFEOM1 mutations attenuate KIF21A autoinhibition and cause oculomotor axon stalling](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089662731400169X). *Neuron* – 2014 March 18 **Connors EC**, Chrastil ER, Sánchez J, **Merabet LB**. [Action video game play and transfer of navigation and spatial cognition skills in adolescents who are blind](http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00133/full). *Frontiers in Human Neuroscience* – 2014 March 11 [](http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00133/full) Contreras-Ruiz L, Ryan DS, Sia RK, Bower KS, **Dartt DA**, Masli S. [Polymorphism in THBS1 gene is associated with post-refractive surgery chronic ocular surface inflammation](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642014001031). *Ophthalmology* – 2014 March 27 [](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642014001031) Edén U1, Lagali N, Dellby A, **Utheim TP**, Riise R, Chen X, Fagerholm P. [Cataract development in Norwegian patients with congenital aniridia.](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aos.12225/abstract) *Acta Ophthalmologica* – 2014 March [](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aos.12225/abstract) Fadlallah A, Atallah M, Cherfan G, Awwad ST, Syed ZA, **Melki SA.** [Gamma-irradiated corneas as carriers for the Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis: advantages and outcomes in a surgical mission setting](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24457451). *Cornea* – 2014 March [](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24457451) **Gilmore MS**, Clewell DB, Ike Y, et al. (editors). [Enterococci: from commensals to leading causes of drug resistant infection](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK190424/) \[Internet\]. Boston: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary – 2014. [](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK190424/) **Heidary G**, Calderwood L, Cox GF, Robson CD, Teot LA, **Mullon J**, Anselm I. [Optic atrophy and a Leigh-like syndrome due to mutations in the c12orf65 gene: report of a novel mutation and review of the literature](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24284555). *Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology* – 2014 March [](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24284555) **Jakobiec FA**, **Werdich XQ**, **Chodosh J**, **Freitag SK.** [An analysis of conjunctival and periocular venous malformations: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features with a comparison of racemose and cirsoid lesions](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039625713001392). *Survey of Ophthalmology* – 2014 March-April Kang JH, **Loomis SJ**, Yaspan BL, Bailey JC, Weinreb RN, Lee RK, Lichter PR, Budenz DL, Liu Y, Realini T, Gaasterland D, Gaasterland T, Friedman DS, McCarty CA, Moroi SE, Olson L, Schuman JS, Singh K, Vollrath D, Wollstein G, Zack DJ, Brilliant M, Sit AJ, Christen WG, Fingert J, Forman JP, Buys ES, Kraft P, Zhang K, Allingham RR, Pericak-Vance MA, Richards JE, Hauser MA, Haines JL, **Wiggs JL**, **Pasquale LR.** [Vascular tone pathway polymorphisms in relation to primary open-angle glaucoma](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24603425). *Eye* – 2014 March 7 **Kloek CE**, **Borboli-Gerogiannis S**, **Chang K**, **Kuperwaser M**, Newman LR, **Marie Lane A**, **Loewenstein JI.** [A broadly applicable surgical teaching method: evaluation of a stepwise introduction to cataract surgery](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1931720413001931). *Journal of Surgical Education* – 2014 March-April [](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1931720413001931) **Liu Y**, Magro C, **Loewenstein JI**, Makar RS, Stowell CP, Dzik WH, Hochberg EP, Oaklander AL, **Sobrin L**. [A man with paraneoplastic retinopathy plus small fiber polyneuropathy associated with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma): insights into mechanisms](http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09273948.2014.884599). *Ocular Immunology and Inflammation* – 2014 March 21 [](http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09273948.2014.884599) **Mackinnon S, Oystreck DT,** Andrews C, Chan WM, **Hunter DG, Engle EC**. [Diagnostic distinctions and genetic analysis of patients diagnosed with moebius syndrome](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642014000141). *Ophthalmology* – 2014 March 6 [](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161642014000141) Newman-Casey PA, Talwar N, Nan B, Musch DC, **Pasquale LR**, Stein JD. [The potential association between postmenopausal hormone use and primary open-angle glaucoma](http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.7618). *JAMA Ophthalmology –* 2014 March 1 [](http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2013.7618) **Peli E**, Satgunam P. [Bitemporal hemianopia; its unique binocular complexities and a novel remedy](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12118/abstract). *Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics –* 2014 March [](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/opo.12118/abstract) **Santiago JG**, **Walia S**, **Sun JK**, **Cavallerano JD**, **Haddad ZA**, **Aiello LP**, **Silva PS**. [Influence of diabetes and diabetes type on anatomic and visual outcomes following central rein vein occlusion](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24525865). *Eye* – 2014 March **Shao Z**, **Fu Z**, Stahl A, **Joyal JS**, **Hatton C**, **Juan A**, **Hurst C**, **Evans L**, **Cui Z**, **Pei D**, **Gong Y**, **Xu D**, **Tian K**, **Bogardus H**, Edin ML, Lih F, Sapieha P, **Chen J**, Panigrahy D, Hellstrom A, Zeldin DC, **Smith LE**. [Cytochrome P450 2C8 ω3-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites increase mouse retinal pathologic neovascularization--brief report](http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/34/3/581.long). *Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology* – 2014 March [](http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/34/3/581.long) **Stein-Streilein J**, Caspi RR. [Immune privilege and the philosophy of immunology](http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00110/full). *Frontiers in Immunology* – 2014 March 19 [](http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00110/full) Stepp MA, **Zieske JD**, Trinkaus-Randall V, Kyne BM, Pal-Ghosh S, Tadvalkar G, Pajoohesh-Ganji A. [Wounding the cornea to learn how it heals](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001448351400044X). *Experimental Eye Research* – 2014 March 4 [](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001448351400044X) Sümbül U, Song S, McCulloch K, Becker M, Lin B, Sanes JR, **Masland RH**, Seung HS. [A genetic and computational approach to structurally classify neuronal types](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24662602). *Nature Communications* – 2014 March 24 **Sweigard JH**, **Yanai R**, **Gaissert P**, **Saint-Geniez M**, **Kataoka K**, **Thanos A**, Stahl GL, Lambris JD, **Connor KM**. [The alternative complement pathway regulates pathological angiogenesis in the retina](http://www.fasebj.org/content/early/2014/03/24/fj.14-251041.long). *The FASEB Journal* – March 25 [](http://www.fasebj.org/content/early/2014/03/24/fj.14-251041.long) **Takeuchi K**, **Yanai R**, **Kumase F**, **Morizane Y**, **Suzuki J**, **Kayama M**, **Brodowska K**, Nakazawa M, **Miller JW**, **Connor KM**, **Vavvas DG**. [EGF-like-domain-7 is required for VEGF-induced Akt/ERK activation and vascular tube formation in an ex vivo angiogenesis assay](http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0091849). *PLoS One –* 2014 March 19 Thomas S, Thomas MG, **Andrews C, Chan WM**, Proudlock F, McLean RJ, Pradeep A, **Engle EC**, Gottlob I. [Autosomal-dominant nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia and presenile cataract associated with a novel PAX6 mutation](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23942204). *European Journal of Human Genetics* – 2014 March **Villarreal G Jr**, **Chatterjee A**, Oh SS, **Oh DJ**, **Rhee DJ**. [Pharmacological regulation of SPARC by lovastatin in human trabecular meshwork cells](http://www.iovs.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=24474275). *Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science* – 2014 March 19 [](http://www.iovs.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=24474275) Wu J, Uchino M, Sastry SM, **Schaumberg DA.** [Age-related macular degeneration and the incidence of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis](http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0089600). *PLoS One* – 2014 March 28 [Return to top](#top) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)