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Clinical Research Studies
Cornea and External Eye
Analysis of the Corneal and
Limbal Epithelial Changes in
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency using
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy
Investigators are working to establish a
system for diagnosing limbal stem cell
deficiency at a cellular level by correlating
the information from impression
cytology tests, confocal microscopy
pictures, and medical records. Investigators:
Sophie X. Deng, MD, PhD; and
Anthony J. Aldave, MD
Genetic Basis of Posterior
Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy
Funded by the National Eye Institute,
this study seeks to identify the gene(s)
responsible for posterior polymorphous
dystrophy, an inherited corneal
endothelial disorder that may result in
irreversible corneal swelling and loss of
vision. Investigators: Anthony J. Aldave,
MD; and Gary N. Holland, MD
Identifying Novel Genes for Fuchs
Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy
In this multicenter study, investigators
are working to identify the
gene(s) responsible for Fuchs corneal
endo thelial dystrophy, an inherited
disorder that may result in irreversible
corneal swelling and loss of vision.
Investigators: Anthony J. Aldave, MD;
Gary N. Holland, MD; and Bartly J.
Mondino, MD
Keratoprosthesis
Implantation in Patients with
Corneal Opacification
This study aims to determine the success
rate of keratoprosthesis (artificial
corneal) transplantation for visual
rehabilitation in patients with corneal
opacification. Investigators: Anthony J.
Aldave, MD; and Gary N. Holland, MD
106 Appendices | Clinical Research Studies
Effect of Corneal Preservation
Time on Long-Term Graft Success
The purpose of this study is to evaluate
the effect of preservation time on
corneal transplants. It will compare the
preservation time up to the FDA limit
of 14 days and hopes to determine
that longer preservation time does not
adversely impact graft success and
endothelial cell density. Investigators:
Anthony J. Aldave, MD; and Sophie X.
Deng, MD, PhD
Eye Infections and
Inflammations
Corneal Endothelial Cell Changes
in Patients with Uveitis
The purpose of this study is to analyze
the involvement of the corneal
endothelium in uveitis and the effect
of various types of keratic precipitates
on the corneal endothelium. Investigators:
Gary N. Holland, MD; Anthony J.
Aldave, MD; Joseph Caprioli, MD; and
Ralph D. Levinson, MD
Factors Related to the Severity of
Ocular Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic
disease that can cause a visionthreatening
infection of the retina.
Individuals with and without ocular toxoplasmosis
are being evaluated with
a blood test to determine whether
(1) people can have a genetic predisposition
to severe disease when
infected with the parasite, or (2) there
is a particular strain of parasite that
causes more severe disease than
others. Investigators: Gary N. Holland,
MD; and Ralph D. Levinson, MD
Longitudinal Studies of the Ocular
Complications of AIDS (LSOCA)
LSOCA is a multicenter, National Eye
Institute supported, epidemiological
study designed to investigate the
nature of HIV-related eye diseases
since the introduction of potent antiretroviral
therapies. More than 2,000
people with AIDS are being followed
nationwide. Investigator: Gary N.
Holland, MD
Multicenter Uveitis Steroid
Treatment (MUST)
Investigators are comparing two currently
available treatments for uveitis.
Systemic treatment utilizing medications
taken orally, by injection, or by
intravenous infusion is being compared
to treatment with an intraocular
implant containing corticosteroid.
Investigators: Gary N. Holland, MD;
Jean-Pierre Hubschman, MD; and
Ralph D. Levinson, MD
Natural Killer Cell Receptor
Genes and AIDS-Related
CMV Retinitis
Institute faculty members are studying
why some people with AIDS develop
CMV retinitis, an infection of the retina,
while others do not. This study aims to
determine whether KIR genes, which
control natural killer cell activities and
other immune functions, differ between
HIV-infected individuals who develop
CMV retinitis and those who do not,
despite similar risk factors. Investigators:
Gary N. Holland, MD; and Ralph D.
Levinson, MD
A Comprehensive Analysis of
Visual Function in Patients
Diagnosed with HIV
The main goal of this study is to determine
the sequence of events that lead
to visual disturbances in HIV-infected
patients. Investigators will obtain
measures of visual function with a
series of established clinical electrophysiological
and psychophysical tests
commonly used to evaluate the function
at different sites within the retina.
Results of this study may enable better
understanding and measurements
of how vision is affected in subjects
diagnosed with HIV. Investigators:
Steven Nusinowitz, PhD; and Gary N.
Holland, MD