The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences offers medical students and residents a variety of research opportunities. Please browse the basic science, translational, and clinical research projects currently underway below.
| Research Topic: Corneal endothelial health judged by endothelial image analysis |
| Description: |
| Endothelium is critical for dehydrating the cornea and keeping it clear. With loss of its barrier and pump function, the cornea swells and corneal transplantation may be needed. Changes in the number, shape and size of the cells may predict loss of function. |
| Key Research question/hypothesis: |
| Effect of drugs, surgery, devices, and preservation media on the endothelium |
| Methods: |
| Images of the endothelium captured with either a specular or confocal microscope that can take repeated pictures of the endothelial cells |
| non-invasively in patients. Once images are captured, they can be analyzed with special software in the Cornea Image Analysis Reading |
| Center (CIARC) of the Department. Student would learn these techniques working with both patients and technicians, depending on the projects |
| Timeline: |
| Ongoing projects |
| Status of IRB/IACUC approval: |
| Image analysis studies in CIARC approved; ongoing projects have IRB approval. If new project, IRB approval will need to be obtained |
| Prospects for publishing and presenting: |
| Excellent with long track record of publications in major journals and presentation at national and international conferences |
| Contact info: |
| Michele Ware (michele.ware@uhhospitals.org), Secretary to Dr. Jonathan Lass, at 216-844-8590 |
| Research Topic: Retinopathy of Prematurity and other Pediatric Studies |
| Key Research question/hypothesis: |
| Effect of low birth weight on the eye’s development |
| Methods: |
| Data Analysis, chart review. |
| Timeline: |
| Several ongoing projects—long term data collection |
| Status of IRB/IACUC approval: |
| Current study has IRB approval. New studies will need IRB approval. |
| Prospects for publishing and presenting: |
| Excellent. The data base study has been presented at ARVO and in preparation for publication in major pediatric journal. |
| Contact info: |
| Dr. Faruk Orge (faruk.orge@uhhospitals.org) at 440-684-1743 |
| Research Topic: Cholesterol and function of the retina. |
| Description: |
| Cholesterol is essential for life in mammal. Yet, if it is chronically in excess, it is a risk factor for cardiovascular and Alzheimer's disease and |
| likely age-related macular degeneration. |
| Key Research question/hypothesis: |
| To delineate the putative link between cholesterol and age-related macular degeneration. |
| Methods: |
| Characterization of retinal function of mice deficient in different enzymes involved in cholesterol elimination. Animals are assessed by optical |
| coherence tomography, electroretinography, fluorescein angiography and optomotor response. Student would learn these techniques working |
| with post-doctoral researchers responsible for these projects |
| Timeline: |
| Ongoing projects |
| Status of IRB/IACUC approval: |
| All studies are approved by the IACUC. |
| Prospects for publishing and presenting: |
| Excellent |
| Contact info: |
| Dr. Irina Pikuleva (irina.pikuleva@case.edu) at 216-368-3823 |
| Research Topic: Contact Lens Related Complications |
| Description: |
| Ongoing clinical trials related to corneal infiltrative events associated with daily or extended wear of soft contact lenses. |
| Fungal and bacterial biofilm-contact lens models and susceptibility to contact lens care products. |
| Key Research question/hypothesis: |
| Assessment of sub-clinical corneal inflammation with confocal microscopy. |
| Assessment of bacterial endotoxin and relationship to infiltrative events with soft lenses. |
| Methods: |
| 1. Ocular and lens cultures for assessment of bioburden |
| 2. Reading/Assessment of stored confocal images |
| 3. collection of worn lenses for biofilm formation |
| 4. Lab Assays (in conjunction with Dr. Pearlman’s lab) for endotoxin on lens surfaces or within solution. |
| Timeline: |
| Ongoing projects |
| Status of IRB/IACUC approval: |
| Active approved IRB protocols exist for current clinical trials on infiltrative events, biofilm studies, and assays of previously collected lenses, tears, and images. |
| Prospects for publishing and presenting: |
| Excellent chance for authorship on investigator initiated studies of biofilm and endotoxin assays. Listing of authors will follow standard publishing g |
| uidelines. Other corporate funded work may/may not allow authorship. |
| Contact info: |
| Dr. Loretta Szcztoka-Flynn (loretta.szczotka@uhhospitals.org) at 216-368-3823 |
| Research Topic: Mechanisms of retinal degenerations |
| Key Research question/hypothesis: |
| How do mutations in the light receptor rhodopsin cause retinal degenerations like retinitis pigmentosa? How does the retina protect against oxidative stresses |
| that can lead to retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration? |
| Methods: |
| A multi-disciplinary approach is employed that includes biochemistry, molecular biology, animal models, and biophysics. |
| Timeline: |
| Ongoing projects |
| Status of IRB/IACUC approval: |
| All animal studies have approved IACUC protocols |
| Prospects for publishing and presenting: |
| Excellent with track record of publications in major journals and presentation at national and international conferences. |
| Contact info: |
| Information about the laboratory can be found by browsing the Park Lab webpage (click here) |