Lori Frederick, 48, of Taylor, Mich., is another of Dr. Frank’s loyal, long-term patients. She was diagnosed with diabetes when she was six years old. At age 23, she began to experience vision loss. “My ophthalmologist referred me to another university medical center, but they couldn’t get me in for six months. I called KEI and Dr. Frank saw me within days. He has been my savior ever since.” Frederick also had multiple laser surgeries and a vitrectomy to restore her vision. Unfortunately, in the early 1990s, as she was preparing to get married, she experienced another hemorrhage. In the months before her wedding she underwent laser procedures to prevent and treat her retinopathy. Monitoring and further treatments have continued over the 25 years Dr. Frank has cared for her. Cataracts are common, but not necessarily routine. R etina Specialist Named to Research Roles With a curriculum vitae that stretches to 45 pages, James E. Puklin, M.D., professor of Ophthalmology at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a retina expert at DMC <strong>Kresge</strong> <strong>Eye</strong> <strong>Institute</strong>, knows his way around medical research. His more than 260 presentations, dozens of grants, 58 published scientific articles and six book chapters, top off an impressive list of academic appointments at University of Illinois College of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine and Northwestern University Medical School. Throughout his lengthy career Dr. Puklin has been actively involved in conducting research and has been interested in ethical issues surrounding science and research. Frederick now has better control of her diabetes through the use of an insulin pump. Recently, Dr. Puklin received two prestigious appointments that put him in a position to review research by many types of scientists and medical researchers. James E. Puklin, M.D. As a very long-term diabetic himself, Dr. Frank has a special understanding of the needs and concerns of this patient base. However, he encourages all ophthalmologists to talk to their patients about the disease. “Use a few minutes of each visit to emphasize to patients with diabetes the importance of blood sugar control, blood pressure control and blood lipid control. These are all relevant to the prevention and management of diabetic retinopathy. “While diabetics do have much higher risk for retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, they can do very well with appropriate treatment and longterm follow-up.” - Robert N. Frank, M.D. “While diabetics do have much higher risk for retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, they can do very well with appropriate treatment and long-term followup,” Dr. Frank says. “I am excited about the continuing research in the field that promises exciting new approaches that will do even more to preserve, and even improve, the vision of people with diabetes.” That’s why DMC <strong>Kresge</strong> <strong>Eye</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> created the Cataract Center of Excellence, featuring an entire team specializing in the study and treatment of this condition. Named #1 Cataract Specialists by Hour Detroit Magazine in 2008, the KEI team handles all types of cases, including cataracts complicated by diabetes or glaucoma. Cataract Center of Excellence patients receive: • 5-day scheduling guarantee • VIP Status Call the <strong>Kresge</strong> <strong>Eye</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> Center of Excellence (313) 577-9007 At WSU, he has been named chairperson of the Human Investigation Committee and is responsible for overseeing the scientific and ethical conduct of all of the WSU affiliated research protocols. In this role he is responsible to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in Washington, D.C. and to the senior administration of WSU. The committee’s six Institutional Review Boards review, approve and supervise over 3,000 research protocols for local, national, and international clinical trials in the biomedical and social sciences. “IRBs were established by the federal government to protect the safety of human subjects who participate in all types of research,” Dr. Puklin said. “We work to ensure patients are not coerced into participating; that risk levels are reasonable; and that patients are treated with dignity, respect and openness.” Before being named chair, Dr. Puklin had served on the IRB since 2000. In 2008, he was also reappointed to the Medicare Evidence Development Coverage & Advisory Committee (MedCAC), of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As the only ophthalmologist among 100 experts on this national committee, Dr. Puklin helps advise CMS on which medical procedures provide effective and appropriate patient outcomes and should receive Medicare reimbursement. He had previously served on MedCAC from 2005 to 2007. KEI Alumnus Invents New Surgical Instrument An alumnus of the corneal fellowship program at <strong>Kresge</strong> <strong>Eye</strong> <strong>Institute</strong> has invented and patented a novel device that will aid surgeons in performing the relatively new Descemet’s Striping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK) corneal transplant. Created by Dr. William B. Neusidl, a 1989 alumnus of the KEI corneal fellowship program, the Neusidl Cornea Inserter (NCI) is used to transplant endothelial cells. According to Dr. Neusidl, his design protects the cells the surgeon is transplanting during the process. He anticipates that its use will increase the survival rate of corneal transplants performed by DSEK. “Other instruments, such as forceps cause crush injury during the folding process.” Dr. Neusidl said, “They do not protect or shield the endothelial cells during insertion through the small incision like the NCI.” Dr. Neusidl currently practices at Coventry <strong>Eye</strong> Associates in Phillipsburg, NJ.