View Annual Report - Jules Stein Eye Institute

74 Faculty
Vicki chan, mD
Associate Physician Diplomate
Glaucoma and
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Dr. Chan teaches residents, fellows, and medical
students at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and at
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
melissa W. chun, OD
Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
Director of the UCLA Vision Rehabilitation Center
ReseaRch summaRy
Vision Rehabilitation
Dr. Chun’s clinical research interests are in the areas of
vision rehabilitation outcomes and training techniques
that maximize visual function. She is a member of the
Low Vision Research Network, a nationwide collaboration
of low vision specialists for multicenter clinical
studies. She is currently participating in the Low Vision
Rehabilitation Outcomes Study, a multicenter pilot
study that utilizes surveys and questionnaires to assess
outcome and effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation.
Rachel Feit-Leichman, mD
Associate Physician Diplomate
Cataract Surgery
Dr. Feit-Leichman divides her time between super-
vising residents and providing patient care at the
Jules Stein Eye Institute’s Urgent Care Clinic, University
Ophthalmology Associates; and teaching cataract
surgery and overseeing residents at the ophthal-
mology clinic of the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Feit-Leichman is also active in striving to improve
patient access to eye care in the greater Los Angeles
County Healthcare System.
catherine J. hwang, mD, mPh
Associate Physician Diplomate
ReseaRch summaRy
Thyroid Eye Disease, Ocular Surface
Disease, Eyelid Disorders
Dr. Hwang’s research includes studies involving thyroid
eye disease (Graves disease), ocular surface disease,
and eyelid disorders such as blepharospasm. Dr. Hwang
has a dedicated thyroid eye disease clinic to investigate
the clinical course of the disease and treatments, as
well as to provide education and patient support.
The clinic is the first in the country to provide an
orbital specialist, Dr. Hwang, and a rheumatologist,
Dr. Ben-Artzi, who work together to evaluate and treat
patients affected with thyroid eye disease. Dr. Hwang
will be starting a blepharospasm clinic in order to better
educate patients, form support groups, and aid in
clinical studies. In addition, Dr. Hwang collaborates
with researchers from other departments, such as
interventional radiology and head and neck surgery,
on various projects.
susan s. Ransome, mD
Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology
ReseaRch summaRy
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
Dr. Ransome is participating in several clinical research
studies involving HIV-infected patients, some of whom
have AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis. In one study,
investigators are following patients over time to see
what types of eye problems develop in HIV-infected
individuals in the era of potent antiretroviral therapies.
Dr. Ransome is also following patients with HIV who
have diabetes to see whether there is increased risk
of development or progression of diabetic retinopathy
when subjects are treated for abdominal lipodystrophy
with Egrifta (tesamorelin).