Visions Newsletter (pdf) - The Francis I. Proctor Foundation for ...

Eradicating an Eye DiseaseThe international team will leveragethe child mortality study’s structureto advance its research on theeradication of trachoma. The team’smathematical models indicate thatrepeated treatment of a core group ofyoung children may eliminate trachomafrom an entire village. Separate fundswill be used to collect and processocular biosamples from young childrenenrolled in the child mortality study.“If we can deliver this outcome in onedeveloping country, it may be possibleacross the globe,” says Dr. Lietman.“We are especially excited to test this inareas of Niger, Malawi, and Tanzania,where trachoma rates are low enoughthat the World Health Organizationdoes not distribute mass azithromycin.”training and oversight for local health careworkers who carry out the enormoustask of administering one million dosesof antibiotic/placebo.Ministries of Health and nongovernmentalorganizations in Africa smooth the research processand provide manpower. The Carter Center workswith UCSF in Niger. Village chiefs organizeresidents and assist teams going house to houseto census children and note child deaths.Outcomes in MotionThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hasapportioned $2.5 million of the grant for asecond two-year child mortality study in Niger,contingent on a successful result of the first study.Ongoing access to data, courtesy of the tabletapplication, makes it possible to progress fromone study to the next without interruption.If data from all three countries confirm thatcommunity-wide antibiotic administrationsignificantly reduces child mortality, it wouldstrengthen the case for a global health policyrecommendation to deploy antibiotics to savechildren’s lives. However, the World HealthOrganization must also weigh the dangersof antibiotic resistant bacteria selected forby mass use of antibiotics. Both the initialstudy and the contingent follow-up studywill closely monitor the development ofantibiotic resistance.“Is mass administration of antibioticsnecessarily the best strategy, even if it saveschildren’s lives?” asks Dr. Lietman. “Everythingwe learn in this study will improve ourIn Niger, one child in six diesbefore his or her fifth birthday.In Malawi and Tanzania, thenumber is about one in twelve.Across Africa, pneumonia, malaria,and diarrhea cause at least halfof all child deaths. Unclean waterand poor sanitation breed infectiousbacteria, viruses, and parasites, andmalnutrition weakens children’s naturaldefenses. Underfunded clinics run shortof medicine. The UCSF team will explorehow antibiotics, given to childrencommunity wide, impact the “bigthree” killers.capacity to make wise choices.” •Children at RiskSummer 20133

Patient Point of ViewFamily Inspires Fundfor ChildrenAugie Wintroub-Hansen is abrave boy. At the age of five, hedeals with an eye movement disorderthat resulted in the developmentof amblyopia. Augie and his familyappreciate his care from UCSFpediatric ophthalmologists. Treatmentincludes specialized glasses and patchingto correct Augie’s refractive error.During the course of treatment, Augie’sfamily recognized how expensive thespecialized glasses can be. Frames andspectacles once a year cost around $250.More specialized glasses, like thosetinted for patients with severe lightare raising support to pay for thesecostly aids to sight. The family has along association with UCSF – Augie’sgrandfather Bruce Wintroub is the chairof the Department of Dermatology andVice Dean of the School of Medicine.The family urges early screening fortreatable eye disease in infancy andchildhood, which can have far-reachingimplications for vision, quality of life,and schooling. Without correctionof substantial refractive errors,a child’s development can bepermanently impacted.We started The Augie Fund to helpmake sure that all children have thevision resources they need to thrive.”sensitivity from corneal problems orglaucoma, are at least double that price.The Augie Fund Will Help OthersIt occurred to the Wintroub-Hansensthat there are many families withinadequate insurance who struggle topay for specialized glasses essential totheir child’s development. The familydecided to meet the challenge of thisneed and established The Augie Fundthrough That Man May See. They– Anne Wintroub“Healthy vision is so importantfor early learning and children’sdevelopment, and we started The AugieFund to help make sure that all childrenhave the vision resources they needto thrive,” says Augie’s mother AnneWintroub. “We value UCSF’s care ofAugie so much, and we appreciate ThatMan May See for helping us give backto other vision-challenged children andtheir families.”Augie Wintroub-Hansen with his grandmother MaryaWintroub (left) and mother Anne Wintroub (right)With the help of The AugieFund and with zero red tape forstruggling families, UCSF’s pediatricophthalmologists assist in dispensingspecialized glasses to families withhardship, just as if they were coveredby insurance. These important gifts willforever make a difference in the lives ofthe babies and children who benefit.What Is Amblyopia?Affecting two percent of the population,amblyopia is a common condition usuallytreated with spectacles. With amblyopia,the eyes are structurally normal exceptfor one or both being defocused,misaligned, or otherwise disadvantaged.The brain responds by learning to seewith the better eye and reducing visionfrom the disadvantaged eye.To join the Wintroub-Hansens or learnmore about The Augie Fund for vulnerablefamilies, contact That Man May See at415.476.4016, tmms@vision.ucsf.edu,or www.thatmanmaysee.org. •FDA Approves DeviceContinued from page 1the company that developed the ArgusII Retinal Prosthesis System over a 20-year period. Jacque Duncan, MD, whoholds the Steven G. Kramer, MD, PhD,Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology,served as UCSF clinic director for thecombined phase 1/2 clinical trial of thedevice. Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD,assisted in the surgeries to implant theArgus chip into the retinas of trial subjects.Restoring VisionEarly studies of the device showedpositive outcomes, leading to expandedclinical trials. Many participants wereable to read large letters on a computerscreen and see high-contrast images suchas a curb or the white lines of acrosswalk. For the final clinical trial, tenleading eye institutes around the worldindependently monitored groups ofsubjects for periods of at least one year.In some cases follow up has continuedto five years.Celebrating a major victory intreatment for the blind.“The experience in a number ofpatients has demonstrated that it’s safe,well tolerated, and really has beeneffective in restoring some vision topeople who have profound visionloss from retinitis pigmentosa.” saysDr. Duncan. Clinical trial participantDean Lloyd, a Palo Alto lawyer, says thathis new views of people – their eyes,their outlines – allow him to feel moreconnected with others.Hope through Bio-EngineeringWith US approval, Second Sightwill now work with clinical centersincluding UCSF to make the treatmentcommercially available to patients whohave lost nearly all their sight to retinitispigmentosa, hopefully before the endof 2013. Eventually the device mayprove to benefit people with otherretinal disorders.Emerging technologies will continueto provide new options for the mostchallenging sight disorders. “Ourresearch teams are integrating newfindings in genetics, neurobiology,and physiology with state-of-the-artbioengineering approaches to developpromising and truly novel solutions,”says Dr. McLeod.Dr. Eugene de Juan Jr.To learn more about the Argus II RetinalProsthesis System and other promising workon retinal degeneration, go online to http://ucsfeye.net/visionsfal11/visionsfal11.pdf •4 Summer 2013

New FacultyDr. Bertil DamatoWorld-Renowned Ocular OncologistThe UCSF Departments of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology welcometo their faculties Bertil Damato, MD, PhD, a global leader in ocularoncology. His innovations in the treatment of ocular melanoma have greatlyenhanced specialists’ ability to eradicate ocular cancer while preserving sight, and hismethods have been adopted around the world.Dr. Damato was previously the director of the OcularOncology Service at the Royal Liverpool University Hospitalin the United Kingdom (UK). He established this servicein 1993 and developed it into one of the world’s mostcomprehensive and advanced ocular oncology clinical centers.Innovations Enhance Patient Care“We want UCSF Ophthalmology to become the new home of Dr. Damato’sinternational treatment program,” says Stephen D. McLeod, MD, chair of theDepartment of Ophthalmology. “With his expertise, we expect to serve not onlypatients in our community and from across the western UnitedStates but also those from the Pacific Rim and the MiddleEast. He has a remarkable track record of discoveryand innovation that we expect he will extend here inNorthern California.”New Ways to Treat Ocular MelanomaDr. Damato was the first to use genetic typing forclinical management of intraocular melanoma.Mathematical tools developed by Dr. Damato andhis team have improved estimates of individualpatients’ life expectancies. This allows counselingand treatment to be tailored to each patient.“Eradicating tumors is only one aspect of patientcare,” says Dr. Damato. “It is essential to treat patients,and indeed families, holistically.” To address patients’emotional needs, psychologists are included in hismultidisciplinary team approach to treatment.Dr. Damato has aremarkabe track record ofdiscovery and innovation.”– Dr. Stephen McLeodScholarship and HonorsDr. Damato has published close to 200 scientific articles and authored or coauthoredseveral textbooks. His numerous honors include the Bjerrum Medal(Denmark), Cohen Medal (South Africa), Watson and Ashton medals (UK), and thehighly prestigious Platinum Award of National Health Service (UK). He has alsoadvanced his specialty by founding and leading majorprofessional societies. He currently serves as president ofthe International Society of Ocular Oncology.Passion for the SeaAn avid sailor, Dr. Damato looks forward to exploringthe ocean from his new Pacific coast perspective. Heand his wife Frankanne have two children. His daughteris an ophthalmologist conducting clinical research inNew Zealand, and his son consults as a clinicalpathologist at Oxford University. “The OcularOncology Service in Liverpool is secure andwill continue to flourish,” says Dr. Damato.“I would like to replicate that success here,”he adds. “The high caliber of UCSF’s cliniciansand scientists as well as the excellent clinicaland research facilities make this opportunity veryattractive.” •That Man May See and the Department ofOphthalmology thank Don and JudyMcCubbin for their supportof Dr. Damato’s recruitmentand research.Update: InternationalGlaucoma InitiativeUCSF’s Fortisure Foundation Glaucoma Research Center, led by RobertStamper, MD, is moving forward on testing novel glaucoma screeningdevices on rural populations in India. Jeremy Keenan, MD, and Dr. NitaSubramanian are working with Dr. Stamper on efforts in India. Two Indianhospitals – the Narayana Nethralaya in Bangalore and the Aravind Eye CareHospital in Madurai – will host the study. The screening methods have alreadyproven effective at the UCSF glaucoma clinic.This low-cost, portable diagnostic device mayincrease early glaucoma diagnosis in India andlead to sight-saving surgeries.If lay people can screen patientsand correctly diagnose glaucoma,it will remove a major obstacleto glaucoma detection across India.”– Dr. Robert StamperMaking Diagnosis EasierIn India, more than 12 million people are blind, and ophthalmologists are scarce,especially in rural areas. “If lay people can screen patients and correctly diagnoseglaucoma, it will remove a major obstacle to glaucoma detection across India,” saysDr. Stamper. Early detection is key because glaucoma usually damages the eye beforesymptoms become noticeable.Computer-based ToolsThe study will use two low-cost, portable diagnostic devices. The “3nethra,”developed by India’s Forus Health, is designed to screen large numbers of peoplefor multiple eye diseases. It contains a retinal camera that works without dilating thepupil and interprets data to produce a report in five minutes. The award-winningdevice also can be integrated with telemedicine. The second tool, a British motiondetectionperimetry device, uses a laptop to test peripheral vision in as little as twominutes per eye.Next Step: InterventionWidespread early diagnosis is the first step toward meaningful intervention to stemthe crisis of glaucoma blindness in developing nations. To prepare for eventualclinical trials in India, Dr. Stamper is in discussion with several companies that makesurgical devices that may be suitable for glaucoma procedures in remote settings. •Summer 20135

Cordes ConnectionAn Eye for BeautyScarlette Wilson, MD, MPH,has an eye for beauty as wellas for healing. She was the first AfricanAmerican admitted to the UCSFOphthalmology residency program, andshe completed her training in 1976. Shededicated her career to comprehensiveophthalmology and patients with AIDSrelatedeye disease. But Scarlette foundthe arts first and ophthalmology second.Artist WithinBorn in Washington, DC, during theCivil Rights movement, she benefitedfrom early mentors such as Miss Adams,who taught her newly desegregatedsixth-grade class. Miss Adams introducedstudents to the fine arts, includingNational Symphony concerts, ignitingUCSF was a special place to learnand grow as an ophthalmologist.”Scarlette’s love of culture. Her interestin science led her to a degree inpharmacy and medicine, and she laterbrought her passion for the arts to SanFrancisco, where her ophthalmologycareer began. She enjoyed the ballet,opera, calligraphy, and photography.Community in Action“UCSF was a special place to learnand grow as an ophthalmologist,” saysScarlette. Her many mentors included– Dr. Scarlette WilsonMichael J. Hogan, MD; ChandlerR. Dawson, MD; John P. Whitcher,MD, MPH; J. Brooks Crawford,MD, FACS; Bruce Ostler, MD;Fred C. Williams, MD; and SamuelJ. Kimura, MD. The Kimuras alwaysopened their home to first-year residents,and they delighted Scarlette with herfirst bite of sashimi.“I applied the humanitarianism Ifound at UCSF to serving people inthe community with inflammatoryocular diseases,” says Scarlette. Duringthe early days of the AIDS epidemic,she practiced in San Francisco’s Castrodistrict with mentor and associateDr. Fred Williams.Dr. Williams, a long-serving UCSFclinical professor, cultivated her loveof ocular pathology and interest in eyediseases that most affect patients whosuffer with health disparities. She tooachieved the rank of clinical professorof ophthalmology at UCSF and enjoyedteaching medical students and residents.After retiring in 1998, Scarlette returnedto the East Coast and completed hermaster of public health degree at JohnsHopkins University. She continuedher involvement with ophthalmologyby volunteering her services as Chairof Continuing Medical Educationwith the Ophthalmology Section ofthe National Medical Association, thelargest and oldest minority physiciangroup in the United States. Shebecame deeply involved in effortsto increase African Americanrepresentation in the field and servedon the Council of the AmericanAcademy of Ophthalmology.Natural TalentsDuring retirement, Scarlette’s earlylove of art blossomed. She beganstudying painting in earnest andfound a natural talent for watercolorand oil painting – with botanicals andstill lifes as her favorite subjects. In2012 her work was included in theDelaware Art Museum exhibition,Dr. Scarlette Wilson has becomean accomplished artist, workingin watercolor and oils. Three ofher oil paintings are reproducedbelow.Beyond Words: The Symbolic Languageof Plants.Dynamic and engaging, Scarlette carrieson the legacy of her mentors as avolunteer educator and mentor to youngophthalmologists. In this way, she stillhelps to save sight for patients, so thatthey may see the world’s beauty. Shealso creates beauty through her art. •Recent Gifts to That Man May SeeThank you for your generous contributions and pledges for vision research, teaching, patient care,and community outreach received between October 12, 2012, and April 30, 2013.Honored Patrons ($250,000+)Estate of Denise B. EvansRonald and Anita WornickVisionaries ($100,000+)Theresa M. CaygillDon and Judy McCubbinEntrepreneurs ($50,000+)Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Yvonne MazzoccoPeierls FoundationLisa and John Pritzker Family FundSandler FoundationThe David and Elva Sinai Foundation, Inc.Investors ($25,000+)AnonymousDaniel BenatarHellman FoundationQatalyst Group LPChuck RobelVenetta and John RohalStephen and Paula SmithEstate of Elizabeth C. A. StewartJoan and David TraitelDirector’s Council ($10,000+)AnonymousThomas and Johanna BaruchBNY MellonCalifornia HealthCare FoundationDr. and Mrs. Eugene de Juan Jr.Françoise G. FleishhackerAlfred HomThomas B. Inglis Jr.The Joan Leidy Foundation, Inc.Jeannik M. LittlefieldIvan, Maris, and Harry MeyersonNorby AndersonDavid B. PrattJeanne and Sanford RobertsonSue and Laurence SpittersSara and Evan Williams FoundationLuminaries ($5,000+)The Bellini FoundationSylvia and Buck BreiholzPatrick and Ginger ConnollyMargaret R. DuflockLoretta EmerzianGloria and Saul FeldmanJohn Hall and Rebecca DerringtonDonald and Roslyn KahnMrs. James P. LivingstonAngus L. and Virginia MacLean Jr.Alastair MactaggartWilliam and Mary Ann S. MargarettenThe Mattson Family ConservationFoundationJames and Janet MitchellNancy and Tim MüllerRichard and Candace OlsenLisle and Roslyn PayneJoan PlattArthur and Toni Rembe RockMichel and Masako VacheronIra G. Wong, MD, MS, and Eleanor W. WongDream Makers ($2,500+)Mary and Phil AndersonJohn CharvatGeraldine K. ColeEdward and Margaret CollinsMr. and Mrs. Donald W. DavisJohn F. de Benedetti and Nina K. SrejovicShustek Dubinsky FamilyPhilanthropic FundElaine A. EklundEnersen FoundationMary Ellen and Michael E. FoxFamily FoundationLydia A. Lukian, MDDr. and Mrs. Stacy R. Mettier Jr.MJM Management GroupNetwork for GoodJohn and Peggy StockRobert K. and Barbara J. StrausFamily Foundation, Inc.Camele S. WanatBurton L. Wise, MD, and Myra Wise, PhDInnovators ($1,000+)Anonymous (2)Amy’s KitchenMr. and Mrs. Roland BacciMr. and Mrs. Paul BancroftRoger and Nancy BoasJohn E. and Helen K. Cahill FundDavid F. Chang, MD, and Victoria A. ChangMartin S. Cohen, MD,and Cathleen S. CohenAnn D. CornellSuzanne and Bruce CrockerHal Dawson and Mary McVeyPaula DawsonSue and John DiekmanSandra and Conrad DonnerMarilyn and John DougeryDr. and Mrs. James F. EggertMark Feldberg and Emilyn PageAllan J. Flach, MD, PharmD, and Teri FlachTom and Gunilla FollettK. Bruce and Lois FriedmanMr. and Mrs. Milo S. GatesJohn and Barbara GlynnPaul and Béatrice GomoryLorrie and Richard GreeneRobert A. GrimmChristine HarrisRod and Carole HartlessThe James and Karen Hayman FamilyFund of the Lutheran CommunityFoundationMichael F. and Marlene C. HeinDouglas and Carolen Herst PhilanthropicFund of the Jewish CommunityFederation and Endowment FundLorie and Ron HirsonJonathan C. Horton, MD, PhDZachary W. and Elizabeth S. HulseyHuntington FarmsDavid K. IngallsMargaret M. JacobsenNick and Becky KemsleyCharles W. Leiter, PharmD,and Susan L. LeiterJohn G. and June R. LilienthalShan C. Lin, MD, and Ho Hui LinLocal Independent CharitiesZoya A. LukianStephen D. McLeod, MD,and Marion FaymonvilleFaye Mellos and Michael Holland6 Summer 2013

Patient Point of ViewTaylor Melcher – Standing Up to GlaucomaWhen Taylor Melcher was just six weeks old,her family noticed she avoided the light. Apediatrician near their home in Reno confirmed thatTaylor needed expert vision care, right away. Accordingto Taylor, “The choices back then were New York orSan Francisco. My parents hastened me to UCSF tomeet the ophthalmologist who would care for me forover 20 years.”Leading Glaucoma SpecialistUCSF’s Jorge Alvarado, MD, is one of the country’sleading glaucoma specialists. He heads a laboratorywhere breakthroughs in glaucoma diagnosis andtreatment have occurred throughout a career dedicatedto patient care, education, and research.No one knows for sure what caused Taylor’s rarecondition of glaucoma at birth, but by her firstbirthday she needed a tiny Molteno device insertedsurgically into her left eye to reduce eye pressure.Dr. Alvarado used the device to bypass the trabecularmeshwork, redirecting the outflow of aqueous humorinto an outlet chamber. Eventually, her right eyerequired a Molteno device as well, and both eyesreturned to normal levels of intraocular pressure.Education as Part of CareTaylor recalls two decades of fellows and residents intraining peering into her unusual eyes. “The youngdoctors were always amazed by what they saw,” shesays. At birth, her pupils were already abnormal. Theywere neither round nor located in the center of theiris. “Look up to the top of my iris,” Taylor coachesthe viewer, taking off her glasses for closer scrutiny.“You will see thin slivers, like a cat’s eyes, and theydon’t dilate.”With help from some veryskilled doctors – plus a littlehumor and a lot of stubbornness– people can overcome anything.”– Taylor MelcherAt birth, Taylor’s pupils were already abnormal. They wereneither round nor located in the center of the iris.“You have very beautiful eyes” is a phrase Taylor hearsoften. “Thank you,” she tells people, “and they areseverely broken.” Her corneas are scarred, and she ishighly sensitive to light. Her eyes don’t pick up reds welland can’t distinguish oranges, yellows, and pale pink.Seeing into the FutureTaylor is most impressed with technology advancingin leaps and bounds in her two decades of observingmedical breakthroughs. A student at TruckeeMeadows Community College who loves history andmathematics, Taylor will transition to the Universityof Nevada, Reno, for the next lap of her education.“Education is not something you can escape in myfamily,” she says. “My mom is a teacher, and Dad isa fireman.”Taylor lives a relatively normal life. “The diseasebecomes part of who you are,” she explains. “It’s adisability, but it’s not debilitating.” Taylor has developeda spunky perspective. “I think about what to say tothe parent of a child with glaucoma,” Taylor reflects.“I would tell them, ‘With help from some very skilleddoctors – plus a little humor and a lot of stubbornness– people can overcome anything.’” •Gerry Marshall and Bernie Newcombfrom Bernard A. Newcomb Fund atSilicon Valley Community FoundationAnthony and Lary Lynn Muller Fundof the Community Foundation toMonterey CountyMrs. Francis J. NiblettRosanne and Michael OglesRichard and Susan OlnessThomas M. and JaMel S. PerkinsFrank and Denise Quattrone FoundationVirginia M. RattoJohn W. and Barbara H. Rosston at SiliconValley Community FoundationSonja D. SchmidRobert and Isabel SchuchardtEdward C. Shotwell III 1996 CharitableAnnuity Lead TrustMary and Marshall SmallJames Hart and Mary Pfeiffer SmithBob and Naomi StamperWilliam R. and Hannah Y. SweetAlexander S. WalkerMorey Weingarten, MDMarilyn and Jack WhitcherDiane WilseyJonathan and Lynn WolterP. Mason Wood Jr.Michael Kay Yoon, MD, and June YoonEric Zankman and Pamela KaufmannPeggy and Lee ZeiglerSupporters ($500+)Owen E. BeacomMark H. BoxerArnett Carraby, MDFrancis S. and Christine M. CurrieThomas DarcyRosalind Gray Davis and Robert M. DavisMariann Di MinnoMarilyn Dompé/Dompé AssociatesTom and Gunilla FollettSusan Glikbarg HansonDianne and Ron HogeDrs. Alex and Chauncy IrvineLouise KarrJack S. and Irene KausMan K. Kim, MD, and Grace H. KimRobert and Linda KlettTom KosticDr. and Mrs. Shiu Y. KwokMark LeslieDave H. and Diane M. LudersDonna L. and Edward E. MartinsFoundation Inc.Joan and Roger McGeeWalter Jeff PartonLinda PlantEd and Marcia PollackGeorge and Karen RathmanJohn C. and Diane W. SavageStuart and Marilou SeiffJudith Good StearnsEmil Tanagho, MDMr. and Mrs. George J. Tichy IIWCP II, LLCJean-Paul WeberTerence and Madeline WelshRobert H. and Anne K. ZerbstPatrons ($250+)AnonymousTerry Pink AlexanderRegan M. and Brenda R. AveryDr. and Mrs. Edwin BoldreyJosephine H. BrownbackDavid and Joyce CopenhagenMark H. Elias, MD, and Marcia E. EliasMichael E. FoleyMarcia L. FormanLinda FrankJane and William FrazerGallo Family Fund at Silicon ValleyCommunity FoundationJeffrey HillJames R. HollanderRobert P. and Anne B. JohnsonMr. and Mrs. David G. LeachTerry LeachBarry L. LockenHerbert P. Moore Jr.Morgan StanleyAlan Y. NakamotoTim PattersonVelimir and Ming PetrovicJim Pickrel and Carolyn WoolleyJ. Frederick Riedel, MD,and Judith L. RiedelDr. and Mrs. Lionel SorensonJudith Good StearnsMary Ann Milias St. PeterViolet S. TaaffeHelen TaitThomas and Nancy TorngaTimothy D. and Jennifer H. WelshStephen WhitneyA. Sydney Williams, MDCharles B. Wilson, MD,and Frances S. PetrocelliNancy Beard WilsonThe Yoneda FamilyFriends ($100+)Anonymous (19)Linda L. AldrichArkady BalterMartha H. BeasleyMr. and Mrs. Geoffrey C. BlandMr. and Mrs. Robert N. BlochThomas F. BoozeMolly Boylan, Esq., and Michael LiberaPatricia L. BrownSandra BrownBunker & Company, LLPFiona CampbellSharon A. CandeloMichael Carson, ODDr. and Mrs. S. Kumar ChandrasekaranCeleste CooperMalcolm Cravens FoundationMr. and Mrs. Edward J. Cummings Jr.Pramila V. DandekarNancy C. DickEmma O. Dong, MDSanford and Rosalind DorbinJacque L. Duncan, MD,and Keith Duncan, PhDPeter F. and Sue N. ElkindJudy and Don EngelSusan S. FennLillian E. FisherMik P. Flynn(Continued on page 8)Summer 20137

Leaders of TomorrowClinical Fellows 2012-2013Armin R. Afshar, MD, MBARetina FellowElizabeth Grace, MDCornea FellowMentors:Place of Birth:MD:Internship:Residency:Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhDJay Stewart, MDDaniel Schwartz, MDEugene de Juan Jr., MDJacque Duncan, MDChicago, IllinoisUniversity of Illinois,ChicagoSt. Francis Hospital, ChicagoUniversity of Chicago,Pritzker School of MedicineMentors:Place of Birth:Medical School:Internship:Residency:David Hwang, MDBennie Jeng, MDTodd Margolis, MD, PhDDes Moines, IowaUniversity of IowaKaiser Oakland HospitalUniversity of Illinois,Chicago, Eye and EarInfirmaryAiyin Chen, MDGlaucoma FellowMentor:Place of Birth:MD:Internship:Residency:Robert Stamper, MDTaipei, TaiwanUCSFAtlantic Health TransitionalMedicineUCSFJennifer Rose-Nussbaumer, MDCornea FellowMentors:Place of Birth:Medical School:Internship:Residency:Thomas Lietman, MDNisha Acharya, MD, MSTodd Margolis, MD, PhDBennie Jeng, MDMerced CaliforniaUCSFLegacy Emanuel HospitalOregon Health and ScienceUniversity, Casey EyeInstituteHyunjin Jane Kim, MDPlastics FellowMentors:Robert Kersten, MD, FACSReza Vagefi, MDPlace of Birth: Seoul, South KoreaMD:New Jersey Medical SchoolInternship: Atlantic Health System,Morristown, New JerseyResidency: New Jersey Medical SchoolPrevious Fellowship: Wills Eye Hospital(Ocular Oncology)Vincent Lam, MDUveitis FellowMentor:Place of Birth:MD:Internship:Residency:Nisha Acharya, MD, MSWinnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaSt. George’s UniversityMount Sinai Schoolof MedicineVirginia CommonwealthUniversityRecent Gifts to That Man May SeeContinued from page 7Gordon FongDouglas R. Fredrick, MD,and Mary Pat FredrickJoyce and Jay FriedrichsScott and Gail GlasgowGoogle.orgColleen P. Halfpenny, MDL. R. and Leah HawkinsJohn F. and Frances T. HenshawKaren K. HoDiane Holt and Michele McFarlandJoe and Rita HowardBob and Judy HuretIBM CorporationLana JangM. Meghan KiefferRichard and Susan KramerTerry and Bill KrivanDonna Lee LampertEstate of Arthur L. LampsonJanet B. LandauerMr. and Mrs. Frank E. LindskoogDonald D. and Sharon R. LingofelterRichard and Karen LoftusRennett C. MacIntyreJoseph T. ManciniHillary MargolisBetty L. MatarangasBertha McHenryPaul C. McKnightT. Neal McNamaraGeorge W. and B. Louise McNellyDan MeslohHoward J. and Eleanor W. MillerKay J. MooreTed R. Nehrenberg, MDJoseph J. O’BrienFlorence O’MalleyMr. and Mrs. Laurence S. OppenheimCatherine ParacGeorge and Susie PfauCeleste and Roger PhillipsJoanne PikePaul C. and Cince PringleAnn W. RayburnMalcolm and Sandra M. ReinhardtRichard and Dean RhodesSandra and William RikerMichael and Deborah RooseveltDebra B. Rose, RN, MS, PNPLois and Arthur RothBill and Wilma RyanDorothea and Gregory RykenAlbert L. SchultzNoha SchulzeDoreen and Chris SeibertMan K. ShumNorman and Masa SoskinJohn C. Speh Jr.John StanleyR. G. Starmann Sr.Jay M. StewartJohn and Jane ThrelkeldStephanie Turner and Randall FlemingDr. and Mrs. A. VagefiCarol Sue VieleRichard Whitten, MDMark R. Wieland, MDMarjorie J. WilcoxJohn Williams IIIJonathan H. and Anne M. WolterCarolyn Y. Woo, PhD,and David E. Bartkus, PhDOrin M. Zwick, MD, and Marni ZwickZynga.orgContributorsAnonymous (4)Ms. Sy AalLorita D. Aarons8 Summer 2013

Fellows Contribute as They LearnDr. Sarah Sitati-Ng’AndaDavid and Elva Sinai FellowOphthalmologists in Kenya arerarer than hens’ teeth, andpediatric ophthalmologists rarer still.Enter Dr. Sarah Sitati-Ng’anda,recipient of the David and ElvaSinai Fellowship in Retinopathy ofPrematurity (ROP). This Kenyanophthalmologist has big plans to reducechildhood blindness and visual disabilitycaused by ROP in her country.ROP affects babies born prematurely,and women with few resources andlittle medical care – such as those inKenya’s immense outback – often havetheir babies early. Because the Kenyanmedical community neither screensnor treats premature infants for ROP,thousands of Kenyan children contendwith severe myopia, detached retinas,and even total blindness.Dr. Sitati has big plans to reduce childhood blindness.Mentorship IdealDr. Sitati smiles a lot. She has foundthe perfect mentor in UCSF’sDirector of Pediatric OphthalmologyAlejandra de Alba Campomanes,MD, MPH. Dr. Sitati’s UCSF trainingwill provide pediatric expertise toimprove outcomes for Kenyan childrenand their families. Dr. de Alba is anROP specialist who has spearheadedblindness prevention efforts in ruralMexico.Blindness Prevention CampaignOn her return to western Kenya, Dr.Sitati plans to document cases of ROPby providing free screening of infants.“Once charities understand the ROPproblem, I know they will join me inworking for blindness prevention aswell as continuing to help the blind,”says Dr. Sitati. The Sinai Fellowshippositions her to attract support frommajor Kenyan eye organizations.Improving Children’s SightDr. Sitati observes Dr. de Alba’s neonatalscreenings, clinical appointments, andsurgeries. She also observes EddyTamura, MD, and Omondi Nyong’o,MD, at the David and Elva SinaiPediatric Ophthalmology Clinic.During her stay in the United States,Dr. Sitati teaches those around herabout conditions for children in ruralKenya. Her passion for improving theirhealth and quality of life is apparent inall her roles – as student, researcher,and educator. •Dr. Moreno MenghiniGeorge and Rosalie Hearst FellowMoreno Menghini, MD, traveledfrom Switzerland to spend a yearlearning from retinal specialist JacqueDuncan, MD. His fellowship wasgenerously funded by the George andRosalie Hearst Endowment. Dr. Duncan,one of the few ophthalmologistsIt’s wonderful to train at a teaching hospital.”worldwide to study inherited retinaldiseases in living patients, uses an adaptiveoptics scanning laser ophthalmoscope(AOSLO). This rare and advanced toolcaptures detailed images of patients’retinal cones.Advancing Innovative TreatmentDr. Menghini assists Dr. Duncan withtwo studies of a capsule designed toreduce retinal cell death. The implantedcapsule slowly releases a protein shownto protect vital retinal cells. In a clinicaltrial of the device in subjects withretinitis pigmentosa, Dr. Menghini usesthe AOSLO to image the trial subjects’retinas, and the detailed images allowhim to count the individual survivingcones. In May, he presented promisingpreliminary findings at a meeting of theAssociation for Research in Vision andOphthalmology in Seattle.For an exploratory study of the capsule’spotential to treat age-related maculardegeneration, Dr. Menghini records andanalyzes retinal images of two patientsimplanted with the device. Positive resultswould lead to further investigation.– Dr. Moreno MenghiniTraining Dr. MenghiniDr. Duncan’s patients have severe inheritedretinal diseases that require ongoingmanagement. She teaches Dr. Menghinito identify retinal abnormalities associatedwith particular retinal disorders anddisease stages. “It’s wonderful to train ata teaching hospital, where patients helpyoung ophthalmologists learn their craft,”he says.Dr. Menghini also benefits from avariety of undertakings with otherophthalmologists. Jay Stewart, MD,provides mentorship in vitreoretinaltreatment. Dr. Menghini works closelywith him to understand surgical andpostsurgical aspects of retinal care. Healso teams up with Clinical ProfessorBrendan Lujan, MD, to compare twoadvanced technologies. Their goal is todetermine the most accurate way todiagnose retinal degenerations.Special ExperiencesDr. Menghini finds himself awed bythe quality of specialists he encountersto UCSF. “The Grand Rounds lecturesexpose me to key opinion leaders in thefield,” he says. “I couldn’t be happier.” •Helen F. AdamsLeslie and Robert AppletonGloria C. AquinoS. Frances AubertJim and Linda BakerMr. and Mrs. Benjamin H. Ballard Jr.Bank of AmericaMichael and Zondra BarricksAnne and David BaudlerKenneth C. BollierJoan BooséyNay and Marie ChuJames and Elizabeth CoffeeShirley J. CostelloCarmen V. CritchlowWalter DamanEvie and Matt DavisDeogracias V. and Felisa de la RosaMarilyn and Stu EberhardtLolita ErlangerMichael F. and Netta F. FedorRobert and Patricia FratesJennifer FriedbergJoseph M. Friedman and Teresa AllenAlice Chew GeeJames GeeHarold J. and Petronilla GieblerMaria Z. HertzOdette Y. JacobBerta and Lev KatsnelsonAnna Elizabeth KauferIrina KhasinaPeter LaVaultMaggie LeeDilys Jackson-LembiKermit LipezJacqueline LiuRay Z. and Mary A. LopezJeannette L. LuiniKaren L. MacKenzieBeverly N. MacLellanJohn and Kathleen MaguireHerman MalvetDaniel G. McGillKimberly McKellarFrancis B. and Marilyn A. McNameeStephanie MichumMargaret Miller and John Mark AgostaGail MotonariScott W. Newman and Mary de BenedettiMary NicolaisenJaney B. NormanIke K. and Zohreh OkudaJohn H. PinskiGrace E. PrienPaul E. Prusiner, MD, PhDStephen QuiroloMaria T. RamirezBernard and Florence RechtschaffenAnn ReynoldsLinda H. RoskeinMarcel G. and Dagmar E. RossKayoko RuoccoRon RydarowiczBambi SchwartzCarol W. SchwarzNorman F. Schwilk Jr., MD,and Reba SchwilkEdwin I. and Roseann ScottLarry and Dona ShaidnagleSunny SkysSusan and Glen SolanderDavid TeitelbaumGold ToemanUnited Way California Capital RegionJohn Williams IIIKhin Mar WinMarilyn and Boris WolperElsie A. WrightBrian L. and Carol ZwetzigSummer 20139

Faculty NewsOutstanding Honors to Two LeadersRichard L. Abbott, MD, was recentlyhonored in Manila with the highest awardconferred by the Asia Cornea Society.According to the society, the 2012 AsiaCornea Foundation Medal and Medalist’sLecture were awarded to Dr. Abbott asan eminent corneal specialist “renownedfor outstanding repute at an internationallevel.”The lecture serves not only to recognizehis contributions to research and devotionto teaching but also to provide a source ofinspiration to the younger generation of corneal clinicians, surgeons, and scientists.Dr. Abbott, who holds the ophthalmology department’s Thomas W. BoydenEndowed Chair, divides his time between clinical practice and international effortsto improve the quality of ophthalmology service worldwide. •The Society of Heed Fellows hasbestowed its 2012 Heed Award on ToddP. Margolis, MD, PhD. The awardis given to a former Heed Fellow foroutstanding investigation and long-termleadership in ophthalmology.Dr. Margolis received a prestigious HeedFellowship in 1988-1989. He gainedclinical training in cornea, externaldiseases, and uveitis at UCSF’s FrancisI. Proctor Foundation for Researchin Ophthalmology, and he continuedresearch into how the herpes simplex virus causes recurrent ocular disease, acourse of investigation he has deepened throughout his career. UCSF neuroophthalmologistWilliam Hoyt, MD, also received the Heed Award, in 1965, and aHeed Fellowship in 1957.Today Dr. Margolis serves as director of the Proctor Foundation. Looking ahead,he is committed to translational research with the potential to impact the greatestnumber of underserved individuals and to teaching the next generation ofophthalmology educators. •J. Brooks Crawford, MDPublication: Char DH, Cole, TB, Crawford, JB. Necroticmelanomas, The Archives of Ophthalmology, online 2013May; in print2013 July.This article discusses the problem of making a preoperative diagnosisin blind, painful eyes that may harbor necrotic choroidal melanoma.Eviscerating such an eye rather than removing it intact presentsthe danger that the surgeon will miss the malignant melanoma andenhance its ability to metastasize to the liver.Jacque L. Duncan, MDInvited Lecturer: New Outcome Measures for Clinical Trials inRetinitis Pigmentosa, Vision Science Seminar Series, Wilmer EyeInstitute, Johns Hopkins UniversityDr. Duncan’s talk describes the development of new ways tomeasure how vision cells are affected in patients with retinitispigmentosa and finding better, more sensitive ways to determine ifexperimental treatments are safe and effective.Allan J. Flach, PharmD, MDInvited Lecturer: Toxicology and Pharmacology topics, 37th AnnualBasic Science Course, Stanford UniversityDr. Flach taught pharmacology and toxicology at the Bay AreaBasic Science Course in Ophthalmology. Over a two-day period,he provided didactic instruction to residents and practicingophthalmologists from all over the world.Bennie H. Jeng, MD, MSInvited Lecturer: High-Risk Penetrating Keratoplasty versusKeratoprosthesis; Episcleritis and Scleritis. Asia-Pacific Academy ofOphthalmology Annual Congress, Hyderabad, IndiaDr. Jeng chaired two conference sessions focusing on medical andsurgical treatments of corneal diseases most applicable to patients inthe Asia-Pacific region.Shan C. Lin, MDPublication: Qiu M, Wang SY, Singh K, Lin SC. Associationbetween myopia and glaucoma in the United States population,Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2013 Jan 28;54(1):830-5.doi: 10.1167/iovs.12-11158.Dr. Lin and his research group reported that near-sightednes(myopia) is associated with a higher risk for glaucoma in a large USpopulation study. Severe myopia (6.0 diopters or more) was found tobe correlated with a 14-fold greater chance of vision loss consistentwith that of glaucoma.Robert Kersten, MD, FACSInvited Lecturer: Keynote speaker, 21st International Congress onOculoplastic Surgery, Gramado, BrazilYvonne Ou, MDInvited Lecturer: Stem Cells for Retinal Ganglion CellReplacement. Glaucoma 2.0: Bench to Bedside conference, BascomPalmer Eye Institute, MiamiDr. Ou’s lecture addressed the potential of stem cells to replace theoptic nerve cells damaged in glaucoma, an approach that couldeventually lead to restored sight.Robert L. Stamper, MDInvited Lecturer: Annular Choroidal Detachment: Detection,Differential Diagnosis, and Management. American GlaucomaSociety annual meeting, San FranciscoDr. Stamper discussed the diagnosis and management of a type ofretinal detachment that is a relatively uncommon complication ofglaucoma surgery.Koret Vision Research Laboratories + Beckman Vision Center + Proctor FoundationFacilities of UCSF OphthalmologyUniversity of CaliforniaSan FranciscoDepartment of Ophthalmology10 Koret Way, Room K-301San Francisco, CA 94143-0730www.ucsfeye.netFrancis I. Proctor Foundation95 Kirkham StreetSan Francisco, CA 94143-0944proctor.ucsf.eduHOW TO REACH USComprehensive Eye Center415.353.2800Routine eye care, acute care,eye disease referralsEyeglasses & Contact Lenses415.476.3100Cataract and Cornea Care415.514.8200Glaucoma Care415.514.6920Neuro-Ophthalmology415.514.6900Ocular Oncology Care415.514.6900Ocular Plastic Surgery415.353.2142Pediatric Ophthalmology415.353.2560Proctor Medical Group415.476.1442Retinal Care415.353.2402Vision CorrectionSurgery Center415.353.2020Individualized vision correctionsurgery, including LASIK andPRK10 Summer 2013

That Man May SeeDonald J. McCubbin Joins Board of DirectorsDon McCubbin and his wife Judyhave been generous contributorsto That Man May See for more than adecade – supporting transformationalprojects that are the highest prioritiesfor Stephen D. McLeod, MD, chairof the Department of Ophthalmology.Don is an estate planning attorney.Many of his clients are privatephilanthropists, and he advises charitieson their development programs.Don has written several chapterson charitable giving and aspects oftrust administration for California’sContinuing Education of the Bar. Heis a fellow of the American Collegeof Trust and Estate Counsel and alife member of the American BarFoundation, among other professionalaffiliations. He is often included inpublications such as The Best Lawyers inAmerica.Don is a founding director of the KimballFoundation and serves on its board,which has generously supported ThatMan May See’s initiatives to improvepediatric ophthalmology, including thenew clinic at San Francisco GeneralHospital and Trauma Center. For manyyears, Don has served as chief financialofficer and treasurer of the KimballFoundation. His personal charitableinterests include health care, medicalresearch, education, and assistance forunderprivileged children. Don also serveson the board of directors of Hind HealthCare, a privately held pharmaceuticalcompany, where he recently assumedthe position of CEO. He also serves astrustee of numerous private trusts.A native Californian, Don graduatedfrom the University of California, SantaBarbara, with a degree in economics andearned his law degree at the Universityof California, Hastings College of theLaw. He is currently a principal withFriedman, McCubbin, Spalding, Bilter,Roosevelt & Montgomery.Ocean sailing has become a prizedpursuit. In 2004, the McCubbins sailedfrom San Francisco across the Pacific toNew Zealand, where their boat awaits“sailing sabbaticals” to islands of theSouth Pacific. Don is an avid sportsman,enjoying hunting, fishing, horses,cycling, and hiking. The couple hasthree children and six grandchildren. •vision awards and scientific symposiumSIGHTINGS41237561 Catherine Pyke and Will Hearst from theWilliam Randolph Hearst Foundation accept theVision Award.2 Ted and Betty Tight receive the Vision Award forLeadership Longevity.3 Yvonne Ou, MD, with John andChristie Hastings4 John Callander, MD, with board memberPatsy Schuchardt5 Honorary board member Brooks Crawford, MD,with board member John de Benedetti6 Mary Austin with Laura Wolter7 Stephen McLeod, MD, with Mani andNita SubramanianThat Man May See is a 501(c)3 publiccharity. Its mission is to raise funds for thededicated faculty of UCSF Ophthalmologyto make possible breakthroughs in visionresearch, state-of-the-art patient care,educational opportunities for residents andfellows, and community service.To make a gift of cash or securities, go towww.thatmanmaysee.org/donate or call415.476.4016 or email tmms@vision.ucsf.edu.Checks are payable to That Man May See.That Man May See10 Koret Way, Box 0352San Francisco, CA 94143-0352tmms@vision.ucsf.eduVISIONS is a publication of theDepartment of Ophthalmology atUCSF and is produced byThat Man May See.Editorial BoardRobert B. Bhisitkul, MD, PhDTodd P. Margolis, MD, PhDYvonne Ou, MDDavid Sretavan, MD, PhDCopyMolly BoylanBecky JenningsKathleen RydarManaging EditorBecky JenningsEditorialMolly BoylanDesignIkkanda Design GroupPhotographyThomas HeinserMark RauhHeidi SchumannGenevieve ShiffrarTrish TunneyPrintingSungold LithoBruce MayfieldFor a free subscription to VISIONSmagazine, please call 415.476.4016 or go towww.thatmanmaysee,org/why-it-matters/visions-magazineTo receive or cancel further fundraisingcommunications from the Departmentof Ophthalmology or That Man May See,please contact:Records ManagerDepartment of Ophthalmology, UCSFBox 0248San Francisco, CA 94143-0248Summer 201311

University of CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA 94143415.476.4016RETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDNON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDSAN FRANCISCO, CAPermit No. 8285Help save sight and save lives.$14.5 MillionGrant toProctor TeamMake a gift online at www.thatmanmaysee.orgSinaiFellowshipPreservesChildren’s SightFDA ApprovesArtificialRetinaDonorsMake theDifferenceIt’s a Wonderful LifeDavid Hwang, MD, sees familyand ophthalmology as two waysto care for others. At home, he and hisophthalmologist wife Janet help theirthree boys discover their own passions.Swimming, basketball, competitivechess, and the outdoors top their lists.Sight Challenges that InspireAs UCSF’s Co-Director of the CorneaService and Director of RefractiveSurgery, Dr. Hwang works with patientswho struggle with some of the mostcomplex corneal conditions imaginable.He cares deeply about the relationshipshe builds with these patients. Untreatablecases push Dr. Hwang to innovate.“When I don’t have the answer, I wantto come back in the future and say ‘Yes,there is something I can do to helpDr. David Hwang and his wife Dr. Janet Hwangtreasure their time with Steven, age 7; Daniel,age 9; and Jonathan, age 4.you,’ ” he says. His surgical refinementsto corneal transplantation have restoredsight in ways not previously possible.Interestingly, new miniaturized toolsand ever more delicate procedurestest the limits of human hand control.Vision-correcting laser surgery, a verydifferent part of Dr. Hwang’s practice,uses robotics and lasers to achieve whatis not possible with a hand-held scalpel.Its precision contributes to consistentlyexcellent results and has made theLASIK procedure safer and widelyavailable.Reinventing Eye SurgeryDr. Hwang is eager to create a moreeffective, technology-based platformfor a range of eye procedures beyondLASIK. “Technology has transformedso many aspects of our lives,” he says,yet eye surgery continues to be acraft learned only through years ofapprenticeship and experience. Globally,demand for cataract surgery far outstripsavailability. In many countries, lackof trained surgeons is one reason thatblinding conditions often go untreated.Innovation could help save moresight worldwide.Center for Innovative Eye SurgeryDr. Hwang has a dream of establishinga Center for Innovative Eye Surgery atUCSF. His plan includes an endowedchair and investments for developinga computer-driven ophthalmologymicrosurgery workstation with real-time,three-dimensional visualization.This integration of state-of-the-artmicroelectronics, microcomputing,robotics, and nanotechnology wouldopen the way for software-basedprocedures, protocols, simulations, remotetraining – and even remote surgery.“The Bay Area’s strong biomedical andtech communities make this the perfectplace to build a first-of-its-kind centerthat lets us prove the merits of thisapproach,” he says.Like Father Like Mother Like Sons?With two ophthalmologist parents, allof the Hwangs’ sons are ready to signup for medical school. “Right now theyall want to be ophthalmologists, but weare trying to broaden their horizons,”says Dr. Hwang with a smile. “We lovewhat we do, and we want the samefor them.” •12 Summer 2013