Michael Peterson
March 21, 2013
The Impact of Eye Donation for
Research
Why do we need ocular tissue for
research?
• Maximize the gift of donation
• Develop novel surgical treatments
• Improve corneal transplantation
• Cure disease
Why not for transplant?
• Age
• Corneal evaluation
• Demyelinating disease
• Ocular cancers
• High risk social history
• HIV/AIDS
Blinding Eye Diseases
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Rentinopathy
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
Photo courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Cataracts• Leading cause of blindness in the world
• Clouding of natural lens• Age• Trauma• Secondary• Congenital• Radiation
Photos courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Cataracts
What is at forefront of cataract research?
• Laser-assisted cataract incision• Multi-plane incisions• Self-healing wound
• Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery courses (MSICS)• Self-healing wound• Lower infection risk• Shorter surgery time
Glaucoma• Affects over 2 million Americans
• Group of diseases causing increased intraocular pressure damages optic nerve• Permanent vision loss
• Barriers to treatment• Asymptomatic until vision is lost• Medication compliance
Photos courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Glaucoma• Earlier detection through genetic testing
• Surgical device development/surgeon training
• iStent®
• Smallest FDA-approved medical device
Photos courtesy of National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Gradual destruction of the macula• Loss of sharp, central vision
• Two types of AMD• Dry
• Most common, no cure• Wet
• 10-15% of all AMD cases• Most severe• Abnormal blood vessels
under macula leak blood, resulting in macular swelling and death
Photos courtesy of National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS)• First therapy for Dry AMD
• High dose antioxidants + zinc
• Laser therapy for Wet AMD
• Retinal prosthesis
Photo courtesy of Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
Public Health Challenge of Eye Care
• 38 million in the U.S. suffer vision limitation
• Number of Americans older than 40 with age-related eye disease will increase 40% by 2020
• Eye diseases and disorders cost $60 billion annually in the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009
ReferencesAge-Related Macular Degeneration: What You Should Know About
[Internet]. 2009 Aug 1. Bethesda (MD): National Eye Institute; [cited 2013 Mar 13]. Available from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/nei_wysk_amd.PDF
The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System [Internet]. 2013 Feb 14. Sylmar (CA): Second Sight Medical Products, Inc; [cited 2013 Mar 12]. Available from: http://2-sight.eu/en/argus-ii-rps-pr-en
Facts About Cataract [Internet]. 2009 Sep 1. Bethesda (MD): National Eye Institute; [cited 2013 Mar 13]. Available from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp
Facts About Glaucoma [Internet]. 2011 Jun 1. Bethesda (MD): National Eye Institute; [cited 2013 Mar 13]. Available from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts.asp
Glaukos iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass [Internet]. 2009 Jun 11. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine; [cited 2013 Mar 13]. Available from: http://openi.nlm.nih.gov/detailedresult.php?img=2813604_MEAJO-16-138-g001&req=4
Vision Health Initiative [Internet]. 2009 Jul 31. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; [cited 2013 Mar 14]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/basic_information/eye_disorders.htm