Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2012

Mentor: Karanjit S Kooner MD                 
Department: Ophthalmology       
Room number; E5-406.
Mail Code:     9057  
Phone number: 214-648-4733
E-mail: Karanjit.Kooner@UTSouthwestern.edu           
Project title: Dallas Glaucoma Registry
Student ; Nathan Markel.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): VA IRB # 07-049

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 multifactorial disease characterized by progressive optic neuropathy, corresponding visual field (VF) defects, with or without elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The disease may either be primary or secondary in origin. Predisposing elements have both ocular (elevated IOP, myopia, trauma) and systemic (race, older age, hypertension, diabetes) risk factors.

The weaknesses of major eye trials include small number of patients without adequate racial representations. The glaucoma population in Dallas (UTSWMV, PMH, VA) approximates 15,000 and tends to fulfill these requirements quiet adequately.

We have collected data on approximately 2000 patients at the VA Hospital so far. There is a need for 500 more patients to fulfill statistical analysis requirements. This is a retrospective chart review study and the data collection forms are in use. IRB approval at the VA Hospital is current.

Specific objectives: 1. what role does raceplay in the presenting features of glaucoma and overall management?
                                2. Would early surgical intervention provide better visual outcomes?

Role of students:    1. the first few days will be spent in getting familiarized with clinical activates in ophthalmology. They will spend time with us in clinics and operating rooms. Students will observe how we interview patients, check vision, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, gonioscopy, fundoscopy and slit lamp examination. Our technicians will show the students how they perform visual fields, ocular coherent tomography and fundus photos. In the OR, students will observe various glaucoma and cataract procedures.

2. The students will be taught how to use our data collection form and how information is extracted from patient charts. They will be able to read visual fields and optic disk features.

3. Each student will be given a separate project within our main area of research and will be supervised regularly. We expect them to prepare an abstract for submission at a national eye meeting.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 7-9, 2010.
7. Harrison M, Zohra P, Kamath P, Marquardt F, and Kooner KS: Glaucoma Suspects in Children. Presented at annual meeting of American Glaucoma Society meeting in Naples, FL. March 4-7, 2010.
8. 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.
9. Roensch MA, Kooner KS, Prala Z, Harrison M, JT Whitson: Characteristics of Childhood Glaucoma. Presented at annual meeting of American Academy Ophthalmology, Chicago.IL October 17 2010.
10.  Barte FM, Mahasneh S, Adams-Huet B and Kooner KS: Systemic illnesses in glaucoma: a possible link between glaucoma and breast cancer? To be presented at the annual meeting of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Ft. Lauderdale, FL May6-10, 2012.