Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2009

Mentor: : Karanjit S Kooner MD PhD MBA
Department: : Ophthalmology
Room number: : E5.406
Mail Code: : 9057
Phone number: : 214-648-4733
E-mail: : kjkooner@yahoo.com
Project title: : Racial Influences on Medical Therapy in Glaucoma

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 102004-073

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): N/A

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects): Patient based research
Role of the student: The students will be taught various terms used in ophthalmology. They will be able to read visual fields, evaluate optic nerve findings and understand various procedures. Their main function will be to collect and enter data for further analysis. A detailed data collection form has been established. Each student will be assigned a project within our overall research endeavor. There are various sub projects ready for students: A comparison of results among three different hospitals : UTSWMC, PMH and VA, gender differences in medical therapy response, prevalence of surgical intervention. They will be encouraged to present the results in a local/national meeting culminating in publication.
Brief Description of Project:

This is retrospective chart review clinical research project assessing racial influences in glaucoma therapy. The Informed Consent (IC) and HIPAA Privacy authorization were waived due to the retrospective nature of this project. This study is designed to retrospectively evaluate racial influences on drug response for the treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension, a sample size of 500 patients in each racial group will give a power of 84% with type1 error at 0.05. We have collected 350 subjects in total, out of which we have 144 (41%) in African American group, 158(45%) subjects of white/non-Hispanic origin, 28 (8%) of Hispanic origin and 20(6%) of other races. Preliminary analysis has shown that African Americans tend to show more progression of glaucoma and require aggressive treatment. We wish to continue to recruit more qualified subjects in order to derive a scientifically solid and clinically meaningful conclusion.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1. Lieu P, Kooner KS et al : Circadian intraocular pressure, blood pressure and pulse variations in unstable and stable primary open angle glaucoma. Presented at the Annual Medical Student Forum. UTSWMC, Dallas. January 2008.

2. Aronowicz, Kooner KS et al : Role of central corneal thickness (CCT) in circadian intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations in patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Presented at the American Glaucoma Society meeting, Washington DC. March 7-9, 2008.

3. Lieu P, Kooner KS et al: Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction in Primary Open- Angle Glaucoma (POAG). Presented at the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, FL, May 2008.

4. Brooks, PA, Kooner KS et al: The Effect of Nocturnal Blood Pressure and Intraocular pressure on the progression of Primary Open-angle Glaucoma (POAG). Presented at the annual scientific meeting and exposition of the American Society of Hypertension. New Orleans, LA. May 2008.

5.Coleman M, Lubahn JG, Chitkara P, Aronowicz J, Brooks P, AlBdoor M, Lieu P, Butsch R, Adams-Huet B, Nesbitt SD,. Kooner KS. Circadian Intraocular Pressure and Blood Pressure Fluctuation in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, GA. July 2008.

6. Shar A, Joseph A, Huet B and Kooner KS .Glaucoma Suspect Results from the Dallas Glaucoma Registry. Presented at the American Glaucoma Society Meeting, San Diego. CA. March, 2009.

7. Joseph A, Shar A, Huet B and Kooner KS. Is Secondary Glaucoma a Surgical Disease? Results from the Dallas Glaucoma Registry. Presented at the American Glaucoma Society Meeting, San Diego. CA. March, 2009.