Clinical and Translational Research

Basic and clinician-scientists in the college of optometry research a wide range of topics with the common element of employing human subjects to investigate normal or abnormal vision. Research in this thematic area includes studies of monocular and binocular visual function in normal subjects, the pathologic effects of diseases and disorders that affect the eye and the central visual pathways, as well as development of interventions to prevent impairment or loss of vision. Some studies focus on disorders and diseases of the ocular surface, such as ocular allergy, meibomian gland disease, dry eye, and keratoconus.

Other studies evaluate ocular complications caused by scleral lenses, and the effect of contact lens design on vision. Clinical researchers also study the early effects of prediabetes and progressive effects of diabetes on ocular structure and function. Studies in children examine effects of environmental and developmental factors on ocular structures using high resolution imaging in normal and myopic eyes. Clinical trials in children evaluate use of multifocal contact lenses to slow the progression of myopia, and various approaches to reduce effects of strabismus and amblyopia on visual function. Standard clinical assessments, and standard or newly developed psychophysical testing or electrophysiological evaluations are used in these studies as well optical approaches, including optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics imaging of retinal cell layers and vasculature.

Faculty in Clinical and Translational Research