Current Research

Normative and Glaucomatous Data for Heidelberg Edge Perimeter

Principal Investigator: George Comer, O.D., M.B.A.
Co-Investigators: Mark Sawamura, O.D., and John Lee, O.D.

This study is part of a multi-center study to develop normative data for a new visual field analyzer, the Heidelberg Edge Perimeter. Data is being collected at SCCO on age-specific subjects – both normals and those with glaucoma, to provide an extensive and representative database for use by the perimeter algorithms to identify normals and compromised visual field patients.

ATS 15: Increasing Patching for Amblyopia in Children 3 to <8 Years Old

Investigators: Susan Cotter, O.D. M.S., Carmen Barnhardt, O.D., M.S., Ray Chu, O.D., M.S., Lisa Edwards, O.D., Catherine Heyman, O.D., Kristine Huang, O.D., Angela Chen O.D. M.S. and Paula Handford, O.D.

This study, funded by the National Eye Institute, is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of increasing prescribed patching treatment from 2 to 6 daily hours after visual acuity has stabilized with initial treatment and amblyopia is still present. There are two phases to the study. In the first phase, children ages 3 to <8 years with visual acuity of 20/50 to 20/400 in the amblyopic eye will be enrolled with 2 hours of daily patching until there is no improvement in vision in the amblyopic eye. In phase two, the children will be randomly assigned either to continue patching 2 hours daily, or to increase patching to an average of 6 hours daily (42 hours per week). The primary objective is to determine if increasing patching dosage will improve visual acuity in patients with amblyopia still present after visual acuity has stabilized with initial treatment.

Further details can be found at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00945100 and http://pedig.jaeb.org/Studies.aspx?RecID=29

ATS 16: Augmenting Atropine Treatment for Amblyopia in Children 3 to <8 years old

Investigators: Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S., Carmen Barnhardt, O.D., M.S., Angela Chen, O.D., M.S., Raymond Chu, O.D., M.S., Lisa Edwards, O.D., Paula Handford, O.D., Catherine Heyman, O.D., Kristine Huang, O.D. and Vivian Wong, O.D.

This study, funded by the National Eye Institute, is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding a plano lens (a lens without any prescription) to weekend atropine treatment after a patient’s visual acuity has stabilized but amblyopia is still present. Children ages 3 to < 8 years old with visual acuities of 20/50 to 20/400 in the amblyopic eye will be enrolled in a run-in phase with weekend atropine until there is no further improvement in their vision. Eligible children will then be randomized to one of two groups: weekend atropine treatment with a plano lens over the good eye versus weekend atropine treatment without a plano lens over the good eye. The primary objective of this study is to determine if adding a plano lens to weekend atropine treatment will improve visual acuity in patients whose amblyopia is still present after visual acuity has stabilized with initial treatment.

For more information on this study please visit http://pedig.jaeb.org/Studies.aspx?RecID=30 or http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00944710?term=atropine+amblyopia&rank=1

IXT2: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Observation versus Occlusion Therapy for Intermittent Exotropia

Principal Investigator: Kristine Huang, O.D.
Investigators: Carmen Barnhardt, O.D., M.S., Angela Chen, O.D., M.S., Ray Chu, O.D., M.S., Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S., Lisa Edwards, O.D., Paula Handford, O.D., Catherine Heyman, O.D. and Vivian Wong, O.D.

This study is a multi-center randomized clinical trial designed to assess the natural history of intermittent exotropia (outward eyeturn) and to establish the effectiveness of part-time occlusion in its treatment. Children are eligible to participate if they are between the ages of 12 months and less than 11 years, have an outward eye turn, and have never had previous treatment for their intermittent exotropia (other than refractive correction). Enrolled children will be followed for 3 years. Further details can be found at: http://clinicaltrial.gov/ct2/results?term=intermittent+exotropia.

Accommodative Performance in Children

Principal Investigators: Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S. and Angela Chen, O.D., M.S.
Co-investigator: Vivian Wong, O.D.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate accommodative (focusing) performance in specific groups of children at risk for focusing problems, namely children with hyperopia (farsightedness) as compared to non-farsighted children, and children with amblyopia. This information is important because problems with focusing can interfere with vision development in many ways, including the development of crossed eyes and/or bad vision. In addition, children who have already developed these conditions may not benefit from standard treatments if their focusing abilities are not normal. The measurement of focusing may thus have an important role in optimizing treatment for many eye conditions of childhood.

Children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years with and without hyperopia, and those with anisometropic amblyopia (lazy eye from different farsighted prescriptions between the eyes) are eligible for the study. The child’s focusing accuracy will be measured while he or she watches a cartoon.

This study is funded by the National Eye Institute through grants to study collaborators Rowan Candy, Ph.D., at Indiana University and Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, M.D., D.Phil., at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, who serve as the principal investigators at their sites. More information can be found on Dr. Candy’s website at http://www.opt.indiana.edu/people/faculty/candy/index.html

Epithelial Barrier Function and Contact Lens Solution Bio-Incompatibilities

Co-Investigators: Daniel Krall, O.D. and Jerry Paugh, O.D., Ph.D.

There is currently significant controversy regarding whether superficial, solution-induced corneal staining is a meaningful complication of modern contact lens wear. This is the third sequential study on this topic and will examine specifically whether the fluorescein dye that is used to assess corneal staining diffuses through the entire cornea. Pilot data suggests that although the control lens wear condition induces some anterior chamber dye diffusion, the amount stemming from the test material and solution is much greater, confirming the compromise of the corneal barrier function.

Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial 2 (COMET2)

Investigators: Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S., Carmen Barnhardt, O.D., M.S., Kristine Huang, O.D. and Catherine Heyman, O.D.

COMET is a multicenter randomized clinical trial to determine if progressive addition lenses (PALs) versus single vision lenses (SVLs) slow the progression of low myopia in children with poor accommodative responses (i.e., large accommodative lags) and near esophoria. The study is funded by the National Eye Institute; further information can be found at the NEI website http://www.nei.nih.gov/neitrials/viewStudyWeb.aspx?id=123 and the Clinical trials.gov website: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00320593?term=PALs&rank=2.

R21 Application: Low Vision Education Planning Grant

Principal Investigator: Rebecca Kammer, O.D.

The incidence and prevalence of low vision from age-related eye diseases is increasing dramatically with the aging of the U.S. population. Because 80% of the American low vision population is over age 65, this increase has resulted in a growing need for comprehensive multidisciplinary vision rehabilitation in the health care system. This R21 application proposes to construct a novel educational intervention for optometry schools in the United States that fully prepares all graduating optometrists to offer vision rehabilitation appropriate for patients with eye disease which does not cause significant functional impact on activities of daily living (primary low vision care) and introduces all optometrists-in-training to comprehensive multi-disciplinary vision rehabilitation. The effectiveness of this educational intervention will be tested in a future R01 project with the ultimate goal of changing practice patterns and increasing vision rehabilitation services to meet increasing population needs.

Thirty–Day Study on the Effect of Overnight Corneal Reshaping on Corneal Epithelial and Total Corneal Thickness

Principal Investigator: Harue Marsden, O.D., M.S.
Co-Investigators: Long Tran, O.D. and Annie Chang, O.D.

This study will evaluate the corneal effects of overnight corneal reshaping compared to a control group. Corneal reshaping (orthokeratology) is the use of gas permeable contact lenses, while one sleeps, to reshape the eye to a less nearsighted prescription.

Multiple Rod Signaling Pathways in the Mammalian Retina

Investigators: SCCO's William Ridder, III, O.D., Ph.D., in collaboration with researchers at the Medical School, University of California, Los Angeles

Researchers are using the electroretinogram to investigate multiple pathways for rod information flow through the retina. These studies are designed to understand the visual processing in a normal retina so that appropriate test can be designed to further understand retinal disease.

Visual Discomfort and Reading

Investigators: SCCO's Eric Borsting, O.D., M.S. and William Ridder, III, O.D., Ph.D. and Claremont McKenna College's Christopher Chase, Ph.D.

This research has been funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate possible causes of visual discomfort in college students. The research has assessed the type and frequency of visual discomfort and investigated sensory and oculomotor etiologies of discomfort symptoms. The initial results have shown that oculomotor functions are most associated with visual discomfort.

Visual Effects of Artificial Tear Supplements on Contrast Sensitivity

Investigator: William Ridder, III, O.D., Ph.D.

In industry-supported studies, the researcher has been systematically evaluating the effect (magnitude and length of time of the defect) of different artificial tears on contrast sensitivity. This research will be used in the development of various artificial tear supplements.

Investigating the Visual System of Genetically Altered Mice with Electroretinograms (ERGs) and Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs)

Investigator: William Ridder, III, O.D., Ph.D., in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles

In a series of investigations, researchers have measured ERGs and VEPs in genetically altered mice (mice with conditions similar to multiple sclerosis, retinitis pigmentosa, or Leber congenital amaurosis). These studies are designed to investigate the origin of these diseases and potential treatments.

Recently Completed Research at the Southern California College of Optometry

Amblyopia Treatment Studies

Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG) Members: Susan Cotter, O.D., M.S., Carmen Barnhardt, O.D., M.S., Ray Chu, O.D. and Kristine Huang, O.D.

PEDIG Members have participated in a number of studies funded by the National Eye Institute relating to the treatment of amblyopia in children. A description of each study and a brief summary of the major results can be found at the links:

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/amblyopia/index.asp

http://public.pedig.jaeb.org/Completed_Studies.htm

Opportunities to Make a Difference in Research at SCCO

It is challenging to procure some of the big ticket items required to maintain SCCO at the forefront of eye research from normal operating funds. Several opportunities exist to support the purchase of key equipment that would further research at the College. The list and supporting rationale for each can be found by clicking on the following link: Opportunities for Giving, Research.