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