InSight
- Research to Prevent Blindness partners with department to fund important research initiatives
- So it may come as a surprise that funding for eye research was practically nonexistent until the organization Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) was founded. Before that, ophthalmology was a second-tier medical specialty in the United States.
- OphthalmologyNews
- Many types of eye injuries can cause irreversible damage and vision loss. For example, when the eye’s retina and optic nerve are deprived of oxygen, the consensus among clinicians is that nothing can be done to restore the patient’s vision if lost.
- More experience, more confidence
- Resident education in the Department of Ophthalmology made a huge leap forward in March with the opening of a new microsurgery practice lab. The lab is now equipped with four stations, each outfitted with an operating microscope that is wired to its own video monitor.
- A new look at corneal transplants
- Artificial corneas give people with difficult-to-treat disease another option when donated eye tissue doesn't work
- Blossoming from a strawberry
- She was born 12 weeks premature. Under her right eye, she had a large growth called a capillary hemangioma—a fast-growing noncancerous tumor, also known as a strawberry hemangioma. Very soon it began to grow over her eye, obstructing her vision and affecting the eye’s development.
- Meet ophthalmology’s new development officer
- Chuck Semrow joined the Department of Ophthalmology’s team in December as a senior development officer with the Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF), which raises money for healthrelated research, education, and service.
- Congratulations, graduates!
- 2009 Ophthalmology Annual Research Update Dinner
- A. I. Johnson Great Room
McNamara Alumni Center
University of Minnesota—East Bank - One former patient won’t let visual challenges stop him from pursuing his dream—a career in medicine
- When Taylor Kahnke’s parents gave him a microscope for his eighth birthday, a whole new world was revealed to him. Kahnke has always had to look at things more carefully than most people. Diagnosed with ocular albinism as a baby, he has 20/80 vision and also nystagmus and astigmatism.
- A grateful patient’s mission
- In 1991, Arne Divine began losing his sight because of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), caused by an obstruction of the blood flowing to his optic nerve. The condition ultimately robbed him of nearly half of his vision and has had a profound impact on his life.
- New Center for Thyroid Eye Disease aims to simplify patients’ lives and improve care
- People with thyroid eye disease can experience many troubling complications, including protruding eyes, eye pressure or pain, and eyelids that don’t close completely. Left untreated, a person with this disease could suffer permanent vision loss.
- Part of the big picture
- The pediatric team in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Ophthalmology— which regularly collaborates within the department, in the University’s Medical School, and at other University centers and schools—also collaborates with pediatric ophthalmologists across North America.
- OphthalmologyNews
- Are we on the verge of an epidemic of vision loss? Considering the large number of baby boomers and the prevalence of macular degeneration among older adults‚ it’s possible. As a result‚ a sense of urgency propels research in the lab headed by Deborah Ferrington, Ph.D.
- Center helps people with glaucoma and other eye conditions adapt to visual changes
- Limited peripheral vision, which often occurs in people with glaucoma, makes it difficult to see someone approaching from the side or objects such as keys on a table. But often before noticing a difference in their eyesight, people with reduced peripheral vision may begin to feel anxious.
- Department’s physicians work toward a brighter future for people with glaucoma
- Once called “the thief in the night,” glaucoma silently and usually without symptoms can rob people of their vision. And despite significant improvements in treatment methods over the past 20 years, glaucoma is still the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States today.
- Grateful patient hopes gift will advance macular degeneration research
- Ruth Hanold has many reasons for supporting eye research at the University of Minnesota. She has had macular degeneration in both eyes for a decade and more recently was diagnosed with glaucoma and cataracts. The active 93-year-old moved to a community four years ago when her eyesight became so poor that she could no longer drive.
- What is glaucoma?
- Glaucoma is a group of diseases affecting the eye’s optic nerve, a cable that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure inside the eye that damages the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and blindness.
- Woman shows appreciation for four decades of care through donation
- It was 40 years ago when Mildred Giordano first made the 320-mile drive from her home in South Dakota to the University of Minnesota. She repeated the trip countless times over the years, by car and by plane, seeking treatment at the University’s Department of Ophthalmology for her vision.
- OphthalmologyNews
- New leading-edge technology benefits ophthalmologists and patients alike The Department of Ophthalmology recently acquired two new pieces of equipment. Both are state-of-the-art‚ providing information that is light years beyond what previous tools could provide.
- Corneal transplantation specialist brings leading-edge expertise to ophthalmology team
- Kaufman, who is regarded as an innovative leader in corneal transplantation research, joined the Department of Ophthalmology at the U of M as a professor and the director of cornea and refractive surgery. He was also director of cornea and refractive surgery at Henry Ford Health System.
- Results with research
- When they’re not seeing patients or teaching tomorrow’s ophthalmologists, our faculty members are involved in research aimed at reducing the impact eye diseases and disorders will have on future generations. Here are a few highlights of their current research.
- Competitive ophthalmology residency program continues to attract a top-notch group
- The University’s ophthalmology residency program continues to attract a talented group of applicants. “There is stiff competition,” says Wright, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology.
- Department welcomes a new member to development team
- Jean Gorell became a member of the ophthalmology Fundraising team in March, 2007. She joins Cassidy Titcomb as a director of development with the Minnesota Medical Foundation.
- Family gives back to albinism doctors in gratitude for honest information and empathetic care
- The morning after their son was born nine years ago, Michele Moylan and David Wheaton learned that little Riley had albinism. In fact, they had no idea Riley had albinism until their pediatrician came to the hospital to do a baby check and noticed white eyelashes and no pigment in his eyes.
- Gifts in Doughman’s honor keep rolling in
- It’s clear that longtime ophthalmology professor Donald Doughman, M.D., has made a difference in many of your lives.
- Renovated practice lab to be upgraded in resident’s memory
- Over the last several months, the department has received donations in memory of David P. Pond, M.D., a first-year ophthalmology resident. At the time of his death last June, many friends and colleagues in the ophthalmic community expressed interest in a memorial fund for David.
- OphthalmologyNews
- Searching for an effective treatment for ischemic optic neuropathy. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy‚ the most common optic nerve disorder in patients over age 50‚ causes vision loss and has no cure or effective treatment. The onset is typically sudden.
- A global investment Resident alum’s gift starts endowment for international outreach
- Before an old Army acquaintance asked him to volunteer his medical services abroad, Philip Gardner, M.D., hadn’t given much thought to participating in international humanitarian work. But because of his friend’s request, Gardner made a trip to Guatemala in 1994. And he’s been hooked on helping others in developing countries ever since.
- Honoring a caring and respected physician
- Donald Doughman, M.D., is a compassionate caregiver and teacher and a well-respected researcher. He has given exceptional care to his patients, trained ophthalmologists, and conducted eye research here for more than 30 years.
- Lions donate leading-edge equipment
- A sophisticated new machine called a multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) was recently donated to the Department of Ophthalmology by the Minnesota Lions. Only a few dozen of these machines exist nationwide, and research is underway at the University of Minnesota.
- Low Vision Center helps patients lead more active, independent lives
- For Jeff Bohman, the difference in his life seems like night and day. An autoimmune disorder called Sjögren’s syndrome was causing Bohman’s vision to worsen, and the change made him feel isolated. But now, months after visiting the University of Minnesota’s Low Vision Center.
- A pioneer in corneal transplantation: Donald Doughman, M.D.
- When he arrived at the University in 1972, tissue from donated corneas were transplanted within 24 hours, which meant that patients had to be near a phone at all times and surgeons often had to get up in the middle of the night to perform transplant operations, “Corneal transplants were done on an emergency—not an elective—basis,” he says.
- Three honored for their accomplishments at annual banquet
- The Department of Ophthalmology celebrated accomplishments by faculty, alumni, and volunteers in advocating for and supporting visual health and eye research at its 2006 Annual Banquet. The event, cohosted by the department and the Minnesota Medical Foundation, at the McNamara Alumni Center.
- OphthalmologyNews
- Genetic corneal diseases cover most of the cornea stromal dystrophies‚ explains Huang. “These diseases are especially prevalent among descendants of Scandinavians and northern Europeans‚ resulting in greater incidence in the upper Midwest than in some other areas of the country‚” he says. “Our department sees about 40 to 50 cases per year.”
- Coordinators play a crucial role in clinical studies
- The ripple effects from such findings can be small, such as adjusting a dosage of medicine, or large, such as making a groundbreaking advancement in a surgical procedure. The individuals helped by study findings could be the patient’s child or grandchild—or a stranger on the other side of the world.
- Donors as partners
- With the aging population, research into macular degeneration and other diseases of the retina has never been more important.With that in mind, Timothy Olsen, M.D., formed a directors group to help further such research. Research is an expensive endeavor, so the first thing any research project needs is funding.
- Library reaches out to ophthalmologists around the world
- The Department of Ophthalmology’s library received two professional book collections in recent years, the first from Twin Cities ophthalmologist Harry Friedman, M.D. His collection was comprised of “books that were central to his life and to his medical practice,” says Ruth Alliband
- Medical and veterinary schools work together for cataract surgery course
- A one-day cataract surgery training course for ophthalmology residents took place at the College of Veterinary Medicine in January. The Medical School residents performed phacoemulsification, an advanced cataract surgery technique that requires a very small incision in the cornea.
- Team treatment Collaboration gives one patient her sight and life back
- When Linda Williams walked into the clinic for her first appointment with Andrew Harrison, M.D., she had crossed, protruding eyes, and her eyelids couldn’t close completely. She was miserable and in need of help. After the birth a second child,Williams had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease.
- University and Mayo Clinic team up for education
- The Mayo Clinic has begun sending a third-year ophthalmology resident to the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology’s Minneapolis VA Medical Center rotation. This rotation has been well received by Mayo residents who value the quality of training at the VAMC.
- OphthalmologyNews
- The Department of Ophthalmology Honor Awards recognize those individuals demonstrating outstanding service and exceptional contributions to the field of ophthalmology or the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology. The department thanks all who nominated these deserving individuals.
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