Clinical Research in Ophthalmology

Mechanisms and Treatment of Ocular Vascular Disease

Research Director

Joan W. Miller, M.D.

Overview

Our laboratory studies the mechanisms and treatment of ocular vascular disease. Diseases under study include diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and corneal neovascularization.

Senior Collaborating Scientists

• Joan W. Miller, M.D. (MEEI)
• Evangelos Gragoudas, M.D. (MEEI)
• Napoleone Ferrara, M.D. (Genentech)
• Sven-Erik Bursell Ph.D. (Joslin Diabetes Center)
• Constatin Pournaras, M.D. (University Eye Hospital, Geneva)
• Ulirich von Andrian, M.D., Ph.D. (Harvard Center for Blood Research)
• Yuichiro Ogura, M.D. (Kyoto University)
• Richard Bucala, M.D., Ph.D. (Picower Institute)
• Anthony Adamis, M.D. (EyeTech)

Key Projects

• Mechanisms and inhibition of diabetic retina ischemia
• Mechanisms and inhibition of diabetic retinal edema
• Mechanisms and inhibition of intraocular neovascularization
• Angiogenic growth factors in age-related macular degeneration
• Mechanisms and inhibition of corneal neovascularization

Contact Information

Joan W. Miller, M.D.
Tel 617-573-3915
Fax 617-573-3698

Corneal Wound Healing

Summary of Research Programs

• Corneal wound healing following trauma, refractive surgery, LASIK, dry eyes and ocular surface disease
• Topographical characteristics of cornea after refractive surgical procedures including excimer laser surgery for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, LASIK, and intraocular lenses
• Outcomes analyses of refractive surgical procedures

Collaborating Scientists

• Dr. Anthony Adamis
• Dr. Ilene Gipson
• Dr. Marshall Doane
• Dr. Paul Lu
• Dr. Sopit Samapunphong
• Dr. Tad Baum
• Dr. Cathy Colby
• Dr. Randa Garrana
• Dr. Robert Selkin
• Dr. Farzad Yaghouti
• Dr. Sonia Yoo

Corneal Wound Healing Key Projects

• Role of Metalloproteinases in corneal wound healing following Excimer Laser surgery
• Metalloproteinase and Growth Factors after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)
• Corneal wound healing after lacerations
• Role of aminocaproeic acid to stabilize patients with hyphema
• Orbscan scanning slit technology in the measurement of corneal topographical changes after Excimer Laser, PRK and LASIK
• Topographical evaluation of keratoconic corneas using Orbscan and EyeSys
• Secondary IOL suturing in aphakia
• Treatment of corneal ulcers with a new drug delivery system
• Evaluation of patient satisfaction using two new "Instruments" before and after refractive surgery
• Novatec scanning laser for the treatment of high myopia
• LASIK complications analysis (low and high myopia)
• Calibration improvements of excimer laser using lab light feedback loops
• Corneal Interferometry in dry eye patients

Retinal Implants

Research Director

Joseph Rizzo, M.D.

Summary of Research Program

The retinal implant project was initiated in 1988 and has the goal of developing an implantable retinal prosthesis to hopefully restore some vision to patients blind from age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The project is multi-disciplinary and is co-directed by Joseph Rizzo III, M.D., of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Prof. John Wyatt of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Researchers from the MIT-Lincoln Laboratory and the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory are also members of our research team.

Retina Research Unit

This section is under development.

page updated: 4/18/06