NSUCO - The Visionary Spring 2012

THE V ISIONARY • S PRING 2012 — 21 HPD Research Day February 10, 2012 On February 10, the NSU Health Professions Division (HPD) coordinated its third Research Day event, which attracted an estimated 2,600 live and videoconference attendees to the HPD campus and featured 118 poster and platform presentations. Research Day, which is coordinated by Patrick Hardigan, Ph.D., HPD executive director of assessment, evaluation, and faculty development, and Kathleen Hagen, M.M., HPD director of faculty development, allows the seven HPD colleges to spotlight the various research projects that are germinating through the creativity of their faculty members, students, and collaborative partners. POSTER PRESENTATIONS Espejo A, Tea Y . Monitoring Diabetic Vision Changes in a Patient with Amblyopia Amblyopia is a condition where vision loss exists in the absence of structural anomalies or ocular disease. Deterioration of vision can be missed in patients who have diseases that might lead to vision loss if they also have amblyopia. It is important to recognize the additional attention required when patients have diseases concurrent with amblyopia. Bi H, Woods A . Effect of Hyperthyroidism on Electroretinogram Photopic Responses It has been shown that thyroid hormone levels regulate cone photoreceptors development and modulate opsin production in mature cones. A limited number of cases have been reported where the flash electroretinogram (fERG), a global retinal response, has shown enhanced responses in patients with adult-onset thyroid dysfunction. It is unknown how retinal photoreceptor functions are affected topographically and how this might impact multifocal ERG (mfERG) responses. Reynolds A , Jacko V, Williamson B. Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program: Expansion of Statewide Educational Outreach Vision problems in children, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of problems, including permanent loss of vision, learning difficulties, and delayed development. Increased awareness of parents, school administrators, and community leaders about the importance of comprehensive eye examinations for schoolchildren is an important aspect of reducing visual impairment in children. Nadeau M . A Myriad of Coconspirators Leading to Ulcerative Keratitis Ulcerative keratitis is a diagnosis attributed to a vast array of infectious, non- infectious, and immune etiologies. This project involved a patient with severe autoimmune disease and concomitant surface ocular disease leading to an ulcerative keratitis. Guy V, Farag M . Evaluation of a Complete Third-Nerve Palsy with Aberrant Regeneration in a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient Aberrant regeneration occurs with traumatic, aneurismal, or compressive third-nerve palsy. In a unique pupil involving third-nerve palsy secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI), careful observation is warranted followed with visual rehabilitation. PLATFORM PRESENTATIONS Bade A. Penetrating Corneal Injury: An Alternate Perspective One third of all vision loss in the first decade of life is secondary to trauma. This case presentation covered the surgery on a six-year-old female who ruptured her right globe with a pair of scissors. This case was presented from an alternate perspective— the parent. An innovative technique was utilized to increase compliance. Besada E. Peripapillary Schisis with Sensory Detachment in Advanced Glaucoma This case addressed juxtapapillary retinal schisis-like cavities associated with underlying serous detachment in a normal tension glaucoma patient. A normal tension glaucoma patient with enlarged optic nerve cupping was observed to have temporally localized juxtapapillary serous retinal detachment OD. Derewyanko C, Rodman J. Idiopathic Neuroretinitis: A Case Study and Differentials Discussion Posterior uveitis is an entity attributed to both infectious and non-infectious agents. Due to the numerous etiologies of neuroretinitis, it is important that ophthalmic physicians are able to diagnose these conditions using both clinical evaluation and supporting ancillary testing. This case involved an atypical case of idiopathic posterior-uveitis in an otherwise healthy, black 15-year-old female. The Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) study group was formed at the 2008 Summer Research Institute and comprises con- tact lens researchers in academic health care centers across North America. The Summer Research Institute is jointly supported by the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry. The research question developed at the 2008 Summer Research In- stitute was: “Is youth a risk factor for contact lens wear?” Our initial retrospective chart review and prospective SCL risk questionnaire have further advanced our research aims to examine modifiable risk factors in teenage and young adult contact lens wearers. The ulti- mate goal of this work is to identify and disseminate “best prac- tices” for the mature teen and young adult population at greatest risk for adverse events associated with contact lens wear. Funding to conduct our research has been received via unrestricted grants from Alcon/CIBA Vision and Nova Southeastern University (Chancellor’s Research and Development Grant; Health Professions Division Research Grant). These funds have been used for data col- lection and analysis, development of presentations and publica- tions, and investigator meetings. CONTACT LENS ASSESSMENT IN YOUTH Heidi Wagner, O.D., M.P.H., FAAO Professor of Optometry Research Highlights