Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

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

Brief Description of Project:

Glaucoma is a chronic multifactorial disease and has become the second most common entity for legal blindness worldwide. We have identified over 15000 patients at the three clinics associated with UTSWMC. The data collection form deals with 32 glaucoma related variables. During summer of 2010 the medical students will collect data on at least 500 more patients bringing the total to 2500 patients in the database.

We are interested in determining causes of any differences in the number of medications, concomitant surgical interventions and visual field outcomes at the three hospitals. The role of race, gender, age and type of glaucoma will be determined.

Categorical variables (such as gender, procedures, medications) between the groups will be compared with the Fisher's Exact Test or Chi-square statistics. Continuous variables (such as age, C/D ratio) will be compared with two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests if normality assumptions are not met. Logistic regression models may be used to assess multiple risk factors simultaneously.

Role of the student:

1. The students will be taught various terms used in ophthalmology.
2. They will follow the PI in clinics and operating rooms for 7-10 days.
3. They will be able to read visual fields, evaluate optic nerve findings, and understand various procedures / medications used in glaucoma therapy.
4. The students will collect data regarding glaucoma therapy from Aston Clinic, Parkland Hospital and the VA Hospital. A detailed data collection form has been established.
5. They will be encouraged to present the results in a local/national meeting culminating in publication.

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.

8. Kamath P, Harrison M, Zohra P, Marquardt F, and Kooner KS: Glaucoma in United States Veterans: an overlooked group? Presented at ASCRS meeting, Boston, MA April 7-11, 2010.

9. Harrison M, Zohra P, Kamath P, Marquardt F, and Kooner KS: Glaucoma Suspects in Children. Presented at the annual meeting of American Glaucoma Society meeting in Naples, FL. March 4-7, 2010.

10. Zohra P, Harrison M, Kamath P, Marquardt F, and Kooner KS: Is Childhood Glaucoma a Surgical Disease? An Analysis of 231 Ethnically Diverse Patients. Presented at the annual Medical Student Research Forum, UTSWMC, Dallas, January, 2010.