Ophthalmology Insight - That Man May See · medications directly into the eye. Joan O’Brien,MD,is...

Dr. Creig HoytHonored withEndowed Chair

Research Profile:CollaborationsAchieve Results

The Patient’sPoint of View:Jim Graziani

41 Faculty Profile:Dr. Robert Bhisitkul

Envision the Future:Dr. Eugene de Juanat UCSF 17

A P E E K I N S I D E :

Ophthalmology Insight

The Amazing Retina

Dear Friends,

We devote this issue to the retina and its disorders and proudly introduceour outstanding vitreoretinal team.Expertise, technology, innovation,and collaboration help to make ourdepartment a leader in this field,and one of the finest in the country.

Also, we welcome new faculty withenthusiasm and salute recentretirements with affection andgratitude.These individuals devotetheir careers to advances in vision care through scientific discovery and to inspiring our next generation ofvision scientists and clinicians.

Their research investigates promisingnew drug therapies and deliverysystems, providing hope that futuregenerations might be spared from eyediseases that prevail today.

For nearly 35 years, our success hasbeen greatly enhanced by the generoussupport of our friends through ThatMan May See.

Your gifts to That Man May See help us remain agile and resourcefulin the face of the ever-changingchallenges to advancements in medicalresearch.Thank you for your part inour vision.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. McLeod, MDTheresa M. and Wayne M.Caygill, MD Chair in Ophthalmology

Professor and Interim Chair,UCSF Ophthalmology

Atiny patch at the back of theeye, the size and thickness

of a postage stamp – the amazingretina has millions of specializedcells that capture visual informationand translate it to the brain, sothat we “see” visually rich movingimages, with color, depth, andsubtleties of shading.

Like the workings of a sophisticatedvideo camera, light reflected fromobjects is focused by the eye’scornea and lens

onto the light-sensitive retina.Millions of tiny nerve cells andchemical interactions in the retinaare involved in a complex sequencethat transforms the reflections intosignals to the brain’s visual cortex,so that we can “see” the imagesbefore us. (See How the RetinaWorks, page 8.)

Where Visual Perception Begins

Without a functioning retina, theeye cannot communicate with thebrain, and vision is impossible.

The retina is where the first phaseof visual perception occurs.

Because the retina plays such an important role in processingimages before they can be“seen,” a damaged retina cancause dire vision problems,including blindness.

Investigators at UCSFOphthalmology are internationallyrecognized for studies of the retina,and discoveries that maintain sight.

to significantly improve patientcare and quality of life for patients worldwide.”

An internationally renownedretinal surgeon and inventor, and

president of the American Societyof Retinal Specialists, Dr. de Juanhas been named Jean Kelly StockDistinguished Professor ofOphthalmology at UCSF. He willfocus on translation of new

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

Focal Point

Summer 2006Koret Vision Institute + Beckman Vision Center + Department of Ophthalmology

This is one of the first and finestretinal services in the U.S.,where clinicians and researchscientists collaborate to rapidlytranslate laboratory findings intotreatment – with new drugs, newtechnologies, and new surgicaltechniques. (See Retina ResearchProfiles, page 8.)

University of California San Francisco + That Man May See

Envision the FuturePatient-Centered InnovationRenowned Retinal Surgeon Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, Joins the Retina Faculty

y goal is to effect as muchgood as I possibly can

as a doctor,” says the newestmember of the retina faculty,Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD.“So I

care for retina patients, and figureout practical, implementable ways

M‘‘

75

companies will take the risk to push new therapiesforward,” says Dr. de Juan, explaining his role in initiatingcommercial development of new ophthalmic products.

For the past 15 years, Dr. de Juan has been director of theinnovative MADLAB (Microsurgery Advanced DesignLab), where bioengineers have collaborated with visionresearchers to develop over 100 vitreoretinal instrumentsand devices. MADLAB has now moved to UCSF, where itoperates in conjunction with VA laboratories to improvesurgical instrumentation.

2 V I S I O N S Summer 2006

The Amazing RetinaContinued from page 1

ophthalmic ideas to patient care, as well as teaching,research, and caring for retina patients.

Dr. de Juan has made prodigious contributions to his areasof major research interest, including severe vitreoretinaldisease, retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration,and vitreoretinal surgical instrument development. He hasdeveloped over 100 ophthalmic products, holds more than40 issued patents, and has published over 200 scholarly,peer-reviewed articles.

“There is a wonderful, productive scientific environment at UCSF, and we are dedicated to the development of new therapies,” Dr. de Juan says, explaining why he joinedthis retina faculty, following a distinguished career at three major universities: Duke, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Southern California (USC) Doheny Eye Institute.

“UCSF is internationally recognized for important stridesin basic knowledge of the retina and diseases of the retina,”Dr. de Juan says. For example, pioneering investigations by

Patient-Centered InnovationContinued from page 1

Promising new drug therapies.Researchers Jacque Duncan, MD,Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD, RobertBhisitkul, MD, PhD, and JayStewart, MD, are assessingpromising medications targetingmacular degeneration, andinvestigating methods to releasemedications directly into the eye.Joan O’Brien, MD, is knowninternationally for investigatingnew therapies for ocular tumors,including the childhoodretinoblastoma. (See profile of Dr. Bhisitkul, page 5.)

degenerative myopia, and a saferalternative to LASIK visioncorrection surgery.

Advances in groundbreaking“growth factor” research byinvestigators Matthew LaVail, PhD,Dr. Duncan, and Dr. Bhisitkulcould improve treatment for wetAMD, and may yield a treatmentfor dry AMD. (See DiscoveringNew Ways to Treat MacularDegeneration, page 11.)

Another approach to AMDtreatment by Dr. Schwartz andDepartment of Medicine

Fighting Retinal Disease and Injury

There has been a nearly epidemicincrease in retinal degeneration andblindness from diseases that affectthe retina in our aging population– macular degeneration, diabeticretinopathy, and retinitispigmentosa. Retinal problems likethe aggressive and often life-threatening retinoblastoma tumoraffect the very young.

Our scientists are widelyrecognized for groundbreakingclinical and molecular studies ofthe retina:

New technologies for treatment.Daniel Schwartz, MD, director ofthe retinal service at UCSF andthe Veterans Administration, hasworked closely with scientists atCalifornia Institute of Technology(Caltech) for over 10 years todevelop new technologies fortreating eye disease.Their firstinvention, a laser-adjustable lens foruse in cataract and refractivesurgery, is in clinical trials and willbe available in the EuropeanUnion this year. Dr. Schwartz hasauthored approximately 30 patents.

Groundbreaking basic research.Basic retina research opens thedoors to novel therapeuticpossibilities. David Copenhagen,PhD, studies the communicationof neurons in retinal disease; JulieSchnapf, PhD, explores the basis ofvisual perception of colors andshapes; and David Krizaj, PhD,examines the cellular mechanismsthat make vision possible.

New AMD treatments.Dr. Schwartz and his collaboratorsat Caltech have active researchprograms for treatment of earlymacular degeneration,

Professor of Ophthalmology and Anatomy MatthewLaVail, PhD, and the late Professor of Ophthalmology and Physiology Roy Steinberg, MD, PhD, first showed that growth factors could protect photoreceptors frominjury or retinal degeneration.“These discoveries openedthe door to pharmacologic treatment of retinaldegenerative disease.”

Revolutionary New Products

“Socially responsible universities like UCSF develop thescientific basis for potentially good therapies so that

“My goal is to effect asmuch good as I possibly can as a doctor.” – Dr. Eugene de Juan, Jr.

Credit: Ann H. Milam, PhD, and Sinoj K. John, The Human Retina in Health and Disease, University of Pennsylvania

3V I S I O N S Summer 2006

investigators John P. Kane, MD,PhD, and John D. Baxter, MD, atthe Cardiovascular ResearchInstitute, shows that medicationscomparable to cholesterol drugsmay prevent the harmful effects ofsubretinal blood vessel growth inwet macular degeneration.

Diagnostics and Patient Care

The most complex, challengingpatients come to UCSF whenthey need retinal care, referred byophthalmologists from the SanFrancisco Bay Area, throughoutCalifornia, and from around the world.

Our team of renowned retinaclinicians – Daniel Schwartz,MD, Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD,Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD, JoanO’Brien, MD, Jacque Duncan,MD, Jay Stewart, MD, andAlexander Irvine, MD – coversall aspects of retina diagnosticsand care.

Sophisticated Diagnostics

Our clinicians use an array ofleading-edge diagnostic tests toassess vision loss in patients withall stages of retinal injury anddegeneration, and to identify

patients who could benefit fromnew therapies before irreversiblevision loss occurs.

Dr. Duncan leads a team that usesthe most advanced diagnostictools, including a new techniquethat analyzes local retinal function(multifocal electroretinography).They are also developing moreaccurate methods to measure theimpact of experimental therapies,as new treatments are developedfor injuries to the retina and forAMD and other retinaldegenerations.

Teaching the Next Generation

Our retina specialists teach skillsand medical approaches to ourresidents – five exceptional youngphysicians selected each year froma pool of 350 applicants for athree-year program of specialtytraining in ophthalmology.Thesenew residents are the futureleaders in the field, selected fortheir academic aptitude and theirstrong backgrounds in basic andclinical ophthalmology.This is ahighly sought-after residencyplacement, because UCSFOphthalmology is so widely

recognized for academic andclinical excellence.

Ophthalmologists from all overthe U.S. and around the world also come to UCSF for additionaltraining – as vitreoretinal fellows,and as participants in GrandRounds for practicing physicians –to learn about the mostsophisticated diagnostic andpatient care techniques from theretina specialists who havedeveloped those approaches to eye care.•

Collaborations at UCSF and Beyond

“Research at UCSF gives investigators the freedom to

explore exciting new therapeutic approaches, with

tremendous talent and focus, as well as ethical

oversight,” says Dr. Eugene de Juan, Jr. “I’m pleased

to be working with the retina department led by

Associate Professor Daniel Schwartz, MD, who is

recognized nationally as a leader in translational

activities in the university, bringing new approaches

to research and to patients, and doing that ethically

and effectively.”

Dr. de Juan joins a team of innovative retina

researchers at UCSF who are reaching out across

university lines – to cardiologists, bioengineers, and

beyond, in Berkeley, UCLA, Caltech, and across the

world – to enhance their understanding and explore

potential therapeutic avenues in ophthalmology.

At UCSF, Dr. de Juan is initially focusing on two areas

of retina research:

Local Administration of Drug Therapies. This would

solve a major problem in ophthalmology by delivering

drugs exactly where they are needed, with fewer side

effects. Direct administration of drugs to the eye,

which is 1/1000 of the body weight, would reduce

the high dosages of oral medications now required

to treat the retina. Jay Stewart, MD, who collaborated

with Dr. de Juan at USC, will also be working on

this project.

New Surgical Techniques and Instrumentation. Making

surgical techniques less invasive, with instruments that

are more efficient, means recovery will be faster and

surgery will be less expensive. Robert Bhisitkul, MD,

PhD, is collaborating with Dr. de Juan on bringing new

technologies to surgical instrumentation (see profile of

Dr. Bhisitkul on page 5).

“Incubator companies outside the university can begindeveloping commercially viable products with venturecapital support, so that inventions may be offered tocompanies for commercial development,” Dr. de Juan says.

Dr. de Juan also co-founded ForSight Labs(www.forsightlabs.com), seeking to create new companiesaround promising ophthalmic device technologies, incollaboration with the new company incubator,TheFoundry, in Menlo Park.

Artificial Retina Could Bring Sight To Millions

Dr. de Juan’s tremendous success in ophthalmic innovationbegins with research at the university.

Within this decade, many blind persons might “see” again,thanks to a unique artificial retina that Dr. de Juan hasdeveloped in collaboration with biomedical andengineering researchers from USC Doheny Eye Institute,North Carolina State University, and UC Santa Cruz.They created a retina chipset, using state-of-the-artmicroelectronics, with a camera mounted on the patient’sglasses and a chip in the patient’s eye. Initial studies, with17 blind patients who have “seen” image patterns, were thefirst to demonstrate that patterns of electric pulses into ablind eye could produce a visual response.

The artificial retina is now under development at SecondSight Medical Products, Inc., in Los Angeles.

“If this artificial retina can make the blind see, it will bethe culmination of a 20-year effort,” says Dr. de Juan.“This could not have happened without the work at theUniversity, without the commercial resources, without thededication and cooperation of the patients, and withoutthe generous donors who gave funds to get it going.”

Family Tradition of Ophthalmology

A native of Alabama, Dr. de Juan was introduced toophthalmology by his late father, Eugene de Juan, Sr., MD,who practiced in Mobile,Alabama.

Dr. de Juan received his medical degree at the Universityof South Alabama College of Medicine in 1979, and wasthe first recipient of the school’s Distinguished AlumnusAward. He was a resident at the Wilmer Eye Institute,Johns Hopkins University, and a fellow in vitreoretinalsurgery at Duke University, before joining the Dukefaculty with an appointment in ophthalmology and cell biology.

Prior to joining the UCSF retina faculty, Dr. de Juan was Joseph E. Green Professor of OphthalmologyInaugural Chair at the Wilmer Eye Institute, and wassubsequently USC professor and CEO of the USCDoheny Retina Institute.

He and his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth, moved to SanFrancisco from Los Angeles this spring.They have fourchildren: one in college in Tennessee, two in business inTennessee, and one a business consultant in Mexico City.They are avid sailors, and when Dr. de Juan is not in thelaboratory or seeing patients, the couple might be foundin a sailboat on San Francisco Bay.

“This work is my life, my vocation, my happiness,”Dr. de Juan says.“If we can successfully develop innovativeophthalmic solutions, working with innovators in otherfields of science, we will be able to share new approacheswith our colleagues, residents, and students.Together,we will imagine, develop, and provide better therapy forour patients.” •


Patient’sP O I N T O F V I E W

Jim Graziani’sGratitude

Graziani in Italian is a way of saying“thanks.” For Jim Graziani of Napa,

California, gratitude pours off the tonguefor UCSF’s Professor Robert B. Bhisitkul,MD, PhD. Jim is being treated at UCSFOphthalmology with a relatively newprocedure to combat maculardegeneration.

“It all started when I was pounding anail, and the nail looked bent,” said Jim,in describing the onset of maculardegeneration.“Then I tried to hit a golfball, and the ball looked like a half moon.My golf shoes looked pointed,” hecontinued.

These early signs were an indication ofage-related macular degeneration (AMD),the leading cause of blindness inAmericans 60 years and older.The diseasecan appear suddenly for otherwise healthypeople, who then lose the ability to readand drive, and are at risk for early loss ofan independent life.

Napa’s John Bosetti, MD (UCSF Schoolof Medicine ‘87 and ophthalmologyresident ‘91) was treating Jim andsuggested he make the trip to SanFrancisco for an appointment with Dr. Bhisitkul.

New AMD Treatment with Macugen

“Dr. Bhisitkul knows the latest research in his field,” says Jim.“He told me abouta new treatment with a drug calledMacugen.”The drug is approved for allforms of wet AMD, and it is produced

and marketed by (OSI) Eyetech andPfizer Inc.

The wet form of macular degeneration iscaused by the abnormal growth of fragileblood vessels under the retina that leakblood and cause damage to the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells. Macugenworks by blocking vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF), a protein thatpromotes blood vessel growth. It has the potential for helping all patients withthe wet form of the disease, whereas the currently approved treatment,photodynamic therapy (PDT), is approvedonly for patients that have a subtype ofwet macular degeneration.

Dr. Bhisitkul is on the advisory board of Genentech, Inc., and he is currentlyparticipating in three Genentech clinicaltrials involving, among others, a new drugrecently approved by the FDA, Lucentis,also for the treatment of AMD. Lucentisshows great promise in halting vision lossand improving vision for a significantnumber of patients with wet AMD.(See profile of Dr. Bhisitkul on page 5.)

Jim Graziani and his wife Julie traveledtogether to a recent appointment with Dr. Bhisitkul. Julie has been Jim’s willingchauffeur for lots of errands andappointments throughout the experienceof Jim’s vision loss.

But Julie celebrated when Jim starteddriving again and said,“For the firsttime in a long time, Jim could finallydrive to buy himself a chocolate barand not have me know about it.”

Jim and Julie are new members of the Chairman’s Forum, the supportgroup at That Man May See, providingunrestricted support to be used forresearch to prevent vision loss forcurrent and future generations.ThatMan May See joins Jim and Julie intheir gratitude – Grazie. •

Nerve Repair with NanotechnologyColleagues Praise Dr. David Sretavan’s Approach

alling the work on a multidisciplinary strategy to manipulate single axons (nerve cells)using micro/nanotechnology “an innovative new nerve repair paradigm,” scientificcolleagues praise the research by Professor David Sretavan, MD, PhD, on microscale axonsurgery, published in Neurosurgery, October 2005.

Researchers who extolled Dr. Sretavan’s work include the chairman of the ClevelandClinic Spine Institute, neurosurgeon Edward C. Benzel, MD, who called it “a wonderfulglimpse into the future of ‘high-tech’ neurosurgery,” and said that “the strategies andmethodologies [the authors] outline should lead us to believe that some day they (or thosewho they intrigue) will actually ‘pull it off.’” Other commendations came from neurologistStephen M. Russell, MD, director of the Stereotactic Laboratory, and Patrick J. Kelly, MD,director of the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU. •

C

D Z O L N P T

Jim Graziani, UCSFOphthalmology patient,with Dr. Robert Bhisitkul.


no treatment for AMD beyond

laser surgery to cauterize

bleeding vessels beneath the

macula (the center of the retina

where detailed vision occurs).

“We are now successfully

stabilizing vision in the majority

of patients with wet AMD,” he

says.“In the future, we will begin

combining those therapies to get

synergistic improvement in the

outcomes.”Today there are five

viable treatment options for

wet macular degeneration –

Visudyne™ drug treatment with

photodynamic therapy (PDT),

Macugen, Lucentis,Avastin, and

intra-vitreal steroids – and many

other drugs in development that

will become available in the next

two to five years.

For patients with dry macular

degeneration, an extensive

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Age-Related Eye Disease Study

(AREDS) showed that high-

potency antioxidant vitamins

(Ocuvite PreserVision antioxidant

zinc tablets) could protect the

macula from AMD damage.

New Approaches to

Macular Degeneration

Dr. Bhisitkul is currently involved

in two laboratory projects that

could impact treatment for

macular degeneration – a study

of subretinal hemorrhage, and a

study in collaboration with Drs.

Duncan and LaVail to enhance

PDT (photodynamic therapy).

“Our study of subretinal

hemorrhage could lead to

treatment that would halt or

reverse damage to photoreceptor

cells in AMD,” Dr. Bhisitkul says.

Preliminary research, presented

at the ARVO (Association for

Research in Vision and

Ophthalmology) conference in

May 2006, showed that the blood

itself is toxic to the retina, and

causes photoreceptor cells to

die within 24-48 hours.The

hypothesis is that the toxicity is

due to iron molecules released

in the hemorrhage.

“We have shown that

neurotrophic growth factors

(NTF) can reduce retinal cell

death from PDT (a light-

activated laser treatment) with

Visudyne™ for AMD,” Dr.

Bhisitkul reports.This research

collaboration with Jacque L.

Duncan, MD, and Matthew M.

LaVail, PhD, was published

in 2004 in Investigative

Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

Working with surgical pioneer

Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD (see

story on page 1), Dr. Bhisitkul

is bringing new technologies

to surgical instrumentation.

Their development of silicon-

based instruments (MEMS)

manufactured with computer-

chip technology produced

forceps for retinal surgery that

can be 10 to 100 times smaller

than standard instruments.The

experimental technology was

reported in the British Journal

of Ophthalmology this year, and

Drs. Bhisitkul and de Juan

are working on other novel

approaches to intraocular surgery.

Combining Significant Research

with Excellent Patient Care

“I have always seen treating

retinal disease as a form of

applied neuroscience,” says

Dr. Bhisitkul, who received a

PhD at the Yale Graduate

Program in Neurosciences.

He was an undergraduate at

Stanford University and attended

medical school there.

Following a residency and

fellowship at Harvard’s

Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Infirmary, Dr. Bhisitkul joined

the faculty at UCSF in 1998.

“I welcomed the chance to

work with Retina Director

Daniel M. Schwartz, MD, and

the esteemed retina pioneer

Alexander R. Irvine, MD.

I saw this as the best chance to

combine significant research

with excellent patient care.”

Finding Multiple Approachesto Improving VisionDr. Robert Bhisitkul

Dr. Bhisitkul lives in San

Francisco with his wife Sara

MacPherson and three small

children, Iam, Lucille, and

Jonah. Sara, who has a

background in refugee and

immigration law, has turned

to a career in documentary

filmmaking.They are

Francophiles whose children

all attend the Lycée Français

La Pérouse.

“I knew I wanted to be a

physician since I was a child,”

Dr. Bhisitkul says.“I chose

ophthalmology late in my

medical school education,

after seeing microsurgery,

because of the elegance and

efficacy of the field. My

motivation is examining new

therapies and new technologies

to see how they can best be

useful to patients.” •

‘‘The most exciting part of

research is shifting our

goals towards using multiple

approaches to improve vision in

major retinal diseases like age-

related macular degeneration

(AMD) and diabetic retinopathy,”

says retina researcher,Associate

Professor Robert Bhisitkul, MD,

PhD.Trained as a neuroscientist

and ophthalmologist, Dr.

Bhisitkul’s work incorporates

research, surgery, teaching, and

patient care. He is also Web site

editor for the British Journal

of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Bhisitkul has been actively

involved in developing and

assessing new therapies for retinal

disease. He directs clinical trials

at UCSF as part of national

studies, including an investigation

showing that the drug Lucentis

(ranibizumab) could maintain or

improve vision for patients with

AMD. Lucentis, along with

Macugen, are in a new class

of “anti-VEGF” (vascular

endothelial growth factor)

medications to treat AMD.

Ongoing Phase III studies of

Lucentis at UCSF will evaluate

its long-term effects next.

Another new study at UCSF

will evaluate extended use of the

drug Macugen, now prescribed

to treat AMD patients, for

patients with diabetic macular

edema.

Major Improvements in

AMD Therapy

“We have seen major

breakthroughs in therapies for

AMD, which is the leading cause

of vision loss and blindness in

Americans over 65,” Dr. Bhisitkul

reports.“Five years ago, we had

Dr. Robert Bhisitkul with researchassociate Joshua Wong, activelyinvolved in developing andassessing new therapies forretinal disease.

F A C U L T YProfile

oday, we are trying to understand themolecular and genetic basis of the retina,and we are starting to see a synergybetween the clinical physician who knowswhat the eye problem is, and basic scientistswho attack it on a molecular level,” saysProfessor Emeritus Alexander Irvine, MD.

“But in 1965,when I first became a residentat UCSF, the emphasis was on understandingthe anatomy of the eye and eye disease,using the light microscope and then theelectron microscope,” he recalls.“Startingin the 1950s, our department chair, MichaelHogan, MD, became interested in usingthe electron microscope to study theultrastructure of the eye, and incorporatedhis research findings in the classic textbook,Histology of the Human Eye.”

After his residency at UCSF, Dr. Irvine wenton to complete fellowships in cornea at theUniversity of Florida, and in retina atUniversity ofMiami,

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He becameassistant chief of ophthalmology at SanFrancisco’s Letterman Army MedicalCenter in 1970, and joined the UCSFOphthalmology faculty in 1972, where hebecame professor and department vice chair.He was named professor emeritus in 1998.

Time of Major Change in Retina

Renowned for his expertise in clinical retinastudies, teaching, and patient care, Dr. Irvineconsiders himself fortunate that his careerbegan at the time of major change inretina care.

“When I began my residency, the vitreous(the fluid that fills the space between thelens and the retina) was considered ‘forbiddenterritory,’” says Dr. Irvine.“Because thevitreous fluid got caught in wounds, asurgeon’s skill was judged largely on hisability to avoid it altogether, which greatlylimited surgical options for repairingretinal damage.

“We used to do surgery for giant retinaltears with the patient tied face-down in arolling bed called a Stryker frame, and thephysician lying on the operating room floor.A gas bubble was injected into the eye, andthe patient in the Stryker frame was rolledback and forth to manipulate the retina,”Dr. Irvine recalls.

1970: Vitrectomy is Born

Dr. Irvine was fortunate to be a retinalfellow in Miami when Robert Machemer,

MD, developed a new surgery –vitrectomy – that is now the

standard treatment for many typesof retinal damage includingdiabetic vitreous hemorrhage,macular holes, giant retinal tears,and certain retinal detachments.

‘‘T

Perspective on Retina CareFrom Anatomy to Molecular StudiesDr. Alexander Irvine on 40 Years of Retina Care

Vitrectomy made modern microscopicretinal surgery possible, by removing thevitreous fluid from the eye and replacing itwith gas or heavy liquid to hold the retinain place, and allowing the use of instrumentson the retinal surface.

Dr. Irvine was first in Northern Californiato perform this innovative surgery in 1970,when the first commercial instruments weremade available to a few of Dr. Machemer’sstudents.The UCSF clinical faculty – AriahSchwartz, MD, Larry Lonn, MD, and thelate George Hilton, MD – evaluated patientswith Dr. Irvine, and when all agreed therewas no alternative treatment, Dr. Irvine didthe new surgery.

Vitrectomy instrumentation was greatlyimproved when Connor O’Malley, MD,another UCSF clinical faculty member,developed a vitrectomy system that allowedmuch smaller instruments.

By 1975, vitrectomy surgery was furtherimproved when Steve Charles, MD (nowon the faculty at Columbia College ofPhysicians and Surgeons and at Universityof Tennessee) introduced endodrainage, asimple but revolutionary technique thatremoves retinal fluid through a small incisionand flattens the retina with simultaneousair injection, allowing the retina to be reattached from within the eye.

In another advance, Stanley Chang, MD (nowEdward S. Harkness Professor and Chairmanof Ophthalmology, Columbia University)showed that heavy, transparent liquidscould be used to manipulate a giant retinaltear, until it could be secured with laser.

“The last three decades have seen anexciting revolution in retinal surgery,” Dr.Irvine says.“This work paves the way forfuture advances, such as the implantation of

microchips or drug delivery depots underthe retina, and possible transplantation ofretinal tissues.”

The Retina in Fine Detail

“In the late 1960s, fluorescein angiography(examining the circulation of the retina)was developed and opened a whole newunderstanding of retinal disease,”Dr. Irvine says.

“Then, within the last two years, retinadiagnosis was dramatically changed again,with optical coherence tomography(OCT), an imaging technique that produceshigh-resolution cross-sectional views thatallow clinicians to see the retina in finedetail.A new electrophysiologic test,multifocal electroretinography (ERG),allows us to assess retinal macular function,to determine whether a vision problem iscaused by changes in the retina or elsewhere.

“New drug therapies can now target specificmolecules, as the molecular basis of diseaseis discovered,” Dr. Irvine reports.“In maculardegenerations where abnormal bloodgrowth occurs, drugs can block theoffending molecules.This field is justbeginning to erupt.”

Teaching the Next Generation

Dr. Irvine continues to play an active rolein resident training, as he has for over threedecades, and he is a beloved member ofthe retina faculty.

He co-directs the weekly teachingconference at UCSF Ophthalmology, knownas the Fluorescein Conference, where retinalphotographs of patients are shown, anddiagnosis and treatment are discussed. Hisstudents and colleagues praise Dr. Irvine’sdedication and thoughtful guidance indelivering the best care for patients witheye problems. •

Dr. Marsha Kavanagh

‘‘

Helping Residents ExcelA Focus on Resident Education

Aresident has a short period of time tolearn a vast amount of material and

skills,” says Clinical Instructor MarshaKavanagh, MD, who was appointed thisyear to maintain a crucial focus on residenteducation.

Working with Doug Fredrick, MD, who isthe residency director, her role has been towork closely with residents, particularly thefirst-year students: to guide them in theirwork at UCSF, San Francisco GeneralHospital, and the Veterans Administration;to help them in the clinic and in theoperating room; and supervise them at theinpatient consult service.

Guiding Residents

Drs. Kavanagh and Fredrick piloted thisnew position, which is somewhat similar tothat of a chief resident in other programs

who guides and mentors residents.As partof her job, she and Dr. Fredrick developeda new curriculum to organize the materialthat all first-year residents should have readin the field, based upon the AmericanAcademy of Ophthalmology Basic and ClinicalScience Course. She took on the new roleshortly after graduating from UCSF as aresident in 2005.

“Dr. Kavanagh begins a two-year fellowshipin oculoplastic surgery in Columbus, Ohio,this fall,” says Dr. Fredrick.“The departmentconducted a nationwide search to find areplacement who possesses her prodigiousskills as an educator, clinician, and researcher.”

This fall, Cynthia Chiu, MD, will join thefaculty in this important role. Formerlyassistant professor of ophthalmology atCornell Medical Center, New York-

Presbyterian Hospital in New York City,Dr. Chiu completed her residency inophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eyeand Ear Infirmary, Harvard University,in 2004.

Connecting Residents and Faculty

“I believe that this position has enabled abetter connection between residents andfaculty,” says Dr. Kavanagh.“Being straightout of residency at UCSF, it has beenhelpful for the residents to have me around this year, as I am so close to their experience.”

“Dr. Kavanagh has been the single mostinfluential physician thus far in my trainingat UCSF,” says resident Julie Chen, MD.“She teaches the residents and makes us feelwelcome at UCSF. Of her own initiative,she developed a first-year curriculum andgave weekly teaching sessions to improveour level of knowledge. She is patient,encouraging, and an incredible teacher and mentor.”

In recognition of her teaching, Dr.Kavanagh was awarded the UCSF KimuraAward for Excellence in Teaching and wasnominated for the UCSF Kaiser TeachingAward, both in 2006.


“My mother suffered from visionloss,” says Mrs. Fleishhacker.“Mother loved books, and it wasdevastating when she lost herability to read. I’d like to seemedical improvements andprovide hope for others in mylifetime. Now is the time to dothis,” continues Mrs. Fleishhacker,who serves on the board ofThat Man May See and spent the past year overseeing thestrategic planning process of the foundation.

Revolutionary New Solutions

UCSF Ophthalmology hasdeveloped a business model thatworks. Five teams of researchersare currently tackling newsolutions for the most prevalenteye diseases – maculardegeneration and glaucoma – anddeveloping new therapies andprocedures that can revolutionizesurgery for future generations.

With advances in technology,teams of specialists – in medicine,engineering, and chemistry, forexample – can apply knowledgeand skills from a variety ofperspectives to finding newsolutions to vision problems.

Collaborative Vision Research at UCSF includes innovativepartnerships within and beyondthe University.The UCSF teamsare ideally suited to lead thesecollaborative efforts, based ontrack record, location, andsuccessful development of theinterdisciplinary model.

Unique Collaborations

In each of the five projects,the lead Collaborative VisionResearch investigator is a UCSFophthalmologist, while thecollaborators may be at otheruniversities or in otherdepartments at UCSF.The following is a sample of

translational projects under way,each funded through contributorsto That Man May See:

• Daniel Schwartz, MD:Groundbreaking maculardegeneration research with UCSFscientists and engineers andchemists at Caltech, workingtoward the development of anovel therapy to diagnose andtreat macular degenerationearly in the course of thedisease, before visual loss hasoccurred.This research teamincludes Nobel Prize winnerRobert Grubbs, PhD.

• David Sretavan, MD, PhD:Surgery will be possible at the levelof axons (single nerve cells), withthe potential to repair nervesdamaged by trauma or disease.Opening new doors in microscalesurgical techniques can make areal difference in the future ofmedicine.A multidisciplinaryteam of engineers, micro-technologists, and eye researchersis developing minimally invasivetools to produce an innovativetreatment for glaucoma.

• Kim Cockerham, MD, FACS:Chip technology to simulate nervefunction, allowing a symmetric,natural blink for those sufferingfrom permanent seventh-nervedysfunction following brainsurgery.This research can leadto solutions for other neuralproblems including sleep apnea

and vocal cord paralysis,and can prolong lives forpatients with ALS (LouGehrig’s disease).

• Stephen McLeod, MD:Development of implantedaccommodating devices for thetreatment of presbyopia (age-related difficulty in seeingobjects close-up), as well asthe development of materialsto improve the performanceof artificial corneas.Theaccommodating intraocularlens has moved cataractsurgery to the next level,allowing the focal ability toboth read a book and see ata distance.

• Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD:Prodigious contributions tomajor research areas includingsevere vitreoretinal disease,retinitis pigmentosa, maculardegeneration, and vitreoretinalsurgical instrument develop-ment. Dr. de Juan haspublished over 200 peer-reviewed scholarly journalarticles and amassed morethan 40 issued patents.(See story on page 1.)

Significant Gifts for

Collaborative Vision Research

In addition to significant giftsfrom Frannie Fleishhacker andthe Lincy Foundation, supportthis year for the CollaborativeVision Research efforts at UCSFOphthalmology have beenfunded by the ChartrandFoundation, the John and Lisa Pritzker Family Fund,Mr. and Mrs. Charles D.Miller, the Hellman FamilyPhilanthropic Fund, andEugene de Juan, Jr., MD. •

Supporting CollaborativeVision ResearchAchieves Results – Faster

‘‘Frannie Fleishhacker and theLincy Foundation want to

make a difference – quickly – by funding collaborative visionresearch projects with thepromise of achieving near-termresults. Both philanthropistsrecently provided major gifts tosupport faculty at UCSF who areattracting the best academic andbusiness partners to move theirideas along at a rapid pace.

These two significant gifts,totaling over $750,000, helpedThat Man May See achieve over$1 million for collaborative teamsbent on fast-tracking researchefforts to find answers morequickly than possible by moretraditional research methods.Agroup of Silicon Valley investorsfrom the board of That Man May See is working to raise even greater funds – so the work can progress speedily tohalt vision loss.

At Byers Hall (the UCSF QB3building) for a meeting oncollaborative research at UCSFOphthalmology. From left to right,TMMS board member StephenSmith, Dr. Kimberly Cockerham,TMMS board members John Halland Jack Busch, QB3’s AssociateDirector, Dr. Doug Crawford, andDr. Gene de Juan.

Marsha Cheung Kavanagh was raised inKansas City, received her BA from theUniversity of Pennsylvania, and graduatedfrom Harvard Medical School beforecoming to UCSF as a resident in 2002.She and her husband, Brian Kavanagh,formerly a scientist at the UCSF CancerResearch Laboratory, now live inColumbus, Ohio.

They met in Boston and spendmuch of their free timerunning and exploring the outdoors.•

Dr. Kavanagh with UCSF Ophthalmology residents. From left to right: Drs. Julie Chen, Michael Yoon, Marsha Kavanagh, Jesse Biebesheimer,Alejandra de Alba, and Mark Pennesi


R E S E A R C HProfile


1 molecular targets such as VEGF and HIF;development of MEMS-based vitreoretinalsurgical devices; and age-related maculardegeneration therapeutic clinical trials.

Clinical emphasis: Surgical management ofvitreoretinal pathology including age-related macular degeneration, diabeticretinopathy, complex retinal detachment,and macular pucker.

Joan O’Brien, MD

Professor; Pearl T. and Samuel J.Kimura, MD Chair inOphthalmology; Director, OcularOncology Unit

Research emphasis: Study of the moleculargenetics of retinoblastoma with the goalsof improving diagnosis and providingindividualized treatments for thischildhood eye cancer.

Clinical emphasis: Adult and pediatric oculartumors with emphasis on adult ocularmelanoma and childhood retinoblastoma.

Jacque Duncan, MD

Associate Professor

Research emphasis:Characterization of retinal

degenerations using novel imagingtechniques; preclinical evaluation of retinal function in response to gene andpharmaceutical therapies for inheritedretinal degenerations; and longitudinalstudy of the ocular complications of AIDS.

Clinical emphasis: Diagnosis,electrophysiologic evaluation, andmanagement of patients with retinaldegenerative disease, including age-related

macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa,cone rod dystrophy, and Stargardt maculardystrophy.

Matthew LaVail, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology andAnatomy; Director, Kearn FamilyCenter for the Study of RetinalDegeneration

Research emphasis: Internationallyrecognized for groundbreaking researchshowing that growth factors can slowphotoreceptor degeneration. Leader in thefields of neurotrophic factor therapy andgene therapy for retinal degenerations.

Julie Schnapf, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology and Physiology

Research emphasis: Classicstudies of the first steps in human vision;discovering how signals combine to createelectrical code for the color, shape, andbrightness of objects.

Jay Stewart, MD

Assistant Professor; Director,Vitreoretinal Service, SanFrancisco General Hospital;Director, UCSF Vitreoretinal

Fellowship Program

Research emphasis: Therapies for degenerativemyopia, and novel drug delivery solutions,including subretinal drug delivery and slowrelease of drugs in the eye for vitreoretinaldisease.

Clinical emphasis: Surgical management ofvitreoretinal pathology, including diabeticretinopathy, vitreomacular interface

abnormalities, proliferative vitreoretinopathy,and complex retinal detachment.

Alexander Irvine, MD

Professor Emeritus

Research emphasis: Examiningthe cause of cataracts,

particularly following eye surgery;investigating the impact of sickle cell traiton the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Clinical emphasis: An internationallyrecognized clinician, he has trained ageneration of outstanding ophthalmologists,and remains a wonderful resource forpatients and faculty.

GANGLION CELLS

David Sretavan, MD, PhD


Research emphasis: Themolecular basis of optic nerve developmentand restoration of neural connections aftervisual system injury; the intersection ofbiology and nanotechnology to developnew tools for cellular microsurgery, at thelevel of the single cell.

Hilary Beggs, PhD

Assistant Professor ofOphthalmology and Physiology

Research emphasis:Understanding how defects in cellularsignaling pathways contribute to eyedisease. Specifically, studying how changesin the activity of kinases leads to retinaldysplasia/degeneration, microphthalmia,and errors in neuronal connectivity.

Retina Research Profiles

How the Retina Works Capturing Images Transmitting Images to the Brain

1. Photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) convertlight energy into electrical signals.

2. Neurons in the inner nuclear layer receiveelectrical signals from the photoreceptor cells.

3. Retinal ganglion cells transform the electricalsignals from an analog code to a digital code.

4. Optic nerve transmits the electrical code of thevisual image to the thalamus and cerebral cortex ofthe brain so you can “see” the image.

PHOTORECEPTORS/RPE

Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD

Jean Kelly Stock DistinguishedProfessor; President,AmericanSociety of Retinal Specialists

Research emphasis: Pharmacologic approachesto treatment of retinal degenerative diseases;novel surgical techniques and vitreoretinalsurgical instrument development; implantdevice to restore sight. Published over 200scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles,and amassed more than 40 issued patents.

Clinical emphasis: Management of severevitreoretinal disease, retinitis pigmentosa,and macular degeneration; microsurgery,retinal transplantation, retinal implants, andother new procedures.

Daniel Schwartz, MD

Associate Professor; Director,Retinal Service; Director,VeteransAdministration Retinal Service

Research emphasis: The collaborativedevelopment of diagnostic tools to identifyearly evidence of macular degeneration,and novel therapies for early interventionin both atrophic and neovascular disease.

Clinical emphasis: Management of complexretinal detachment and vitreoretinalpathology, and age-related maculardegeneration.

Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD

Associate Professor

Research emphasis: Laboratorydevelopment of novel therapy

for macular degeneration based on specific

2

retinaRetina FactsThe human retina has a surface area of about 10 squarecentimeters, or 1.5 square inches.

The thickness of the retina is about 300 micrometers, or1/85th of an inch.

The macula, the center of the retina where fine visionoccurs, is about 0.3 centimeters in diameter.

Number of retinal photoreceptors:– 5-6 million cones (used in daylight for color vision and

fine detail).– 120-140 million rods (used for night vision).

Number of fibers in the optic nerve – about 1 million.

Number of retinal ganglion cells (optic nerve cells) – about 1 million.

The retina is normally transparent – however, the back ofthe eye looks reddish-orange, due to the pigment in thecells beneath the retina, the retinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells, and the underlying blood supply from thechoroidal blood vessels. If your ophthalmologist sees anychanges in the color or appearance of the retina, that mayindicate a disease.

The retina can detect more than 7 million subtledifferences of hue.

Retinal diseases are a leading cause of blindness in the U.S.

One in three adults over 75 will suffer from age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the U.S.

Each year 1.2 million of the estimated 12 million peoplewith macular degeneration will suffer severe central vision loss.


David Krizaj, PhD

Assistant Adjunct Professor

Research emphasis: Studies ofcellular signaling mechanisms

involved in photoreceptor degenerationusing novel imaging and moleculartechniques. Emphasis on ion channels and transporters regulating calcium and cell death in models for retinitispigmentosa, retinal dystrophies, and macular degeneration.

INFLAMMATION OF ALL LAYERS

Todd Margolis, MD, PhD

Professor; Rose B.WilliamsChair for Research in CornealDisease; Director, Francis I.Proctor Foundation; Director,

Ralph and Sophie Heintz Research Laboratory

Research emphasis: Understanding thepathogenic mechanisms of ocular infections,including molecular and cellular studies ofherpes simplex virus and varicella zostervirus; development of molecular assays forthe diagnosis of infectious retinitis and fordetermining genetic risk factors forinflammatory eye disease.

Clinical emphasis: Medical and surgicalmanagement of infectious and inflammatoryocular disease, with an emphasis on oculardisease due to the herpes viruses.

4

Nisha Acharya, MD

Assistant Professor ofOphthalmology and Co-Directorof the Uveitis Service,Francis I. Proctor Foundation

Research emphasis: Clinical and translationalresearch in the field of ocular infectiousand inflammatory diseases, includingdesigning and implementing clinical trialswhich will aid ophthalmologists inproviding evidence-based treatment fortheir patients.

Clinical emphasis: Treating patients withinfectious and inflammatory diseases of theeye, including using immunomodulatorytherapies to control inflammation.

Ira Wong, MD, MS

Professor; Director, OcularInflammatory Disease andUveitis Clinic

Research emphasis: Discovery and use ofnew anti-inflammatory drugs; theepidemiology of uveitis; development ofinnovative surgical techniques.

Clinical emphasis: Ocular inflammatorydisease and uveitis.

Erik Ullian, PhD

Assistant Professor

Research emphasis: Interactionsbetween neurons and glia that

are required for the proper developmentand function of the nervous system, usinggene chip and molecular techniques.

Robert Stamper, MD

Professor; Director, GlaucomaService

Research emphasis: Findingnew, simpler, better ways to diagnoseglaucoma early; finding better ways tomonitor for glaucoma progression; andassessing new pharmacological and surgicalways to prevent vision loss.

Clinical emphasis: Glaucoma surgery andlasers, cataract surgery, and ultrasoundbiomicroscopy imaging, and specializedglaucoma procedures.

Jorge Alvarado, MD


Research emphasis: To improveglaucoma diagnosis and treatment througha basic understanding of glaucomadevelopment and the impact of therapieson cells of the eye. Breakthrough researchin cellular therapeutics, characterizing themolecular basis for a novel approach torepairing the damaged drainage system inglaucoma for a sustained period of time.

Clinical emphasis: Medical and surgicalmanagement of adult and pediatricglaucomas, including glaucoma surgery andlasers, cataract surgery, and ultrasoundbiomicroscopy imaging, and specializedglaucoma procedures.

Shan Lin, MD

Associate Professor

Research emphasis: Clinical trial principal investigator,

including evaluation of an entirely newclass of medication, Memantine, forprogressive glaucoma; and OcularHypertension Treatment Study (OHTS).Population-based American Chinese EyeStudy to determine major causes ofblindness.

Clinical emphasis: Glaucoma surgery andlasers, cataract surgery, and ultrasoundbiomicroscopy imaging, and specializedglaucoma procedures.

INNER NUCLEAR LAYER

David Copenhagen, PhD

Professor of Ophthalmology and Physiology, GraduateNeurosciences Program,UCSF-UC Berkeley

Bioengineering Program

Research emphasis: Showing how neuronscommunicate in retinal disease, todetermine which activities the moleculescan inhibit or excite, through studies ofcalcium regulation of glutamate releasefrom rods and cones.

3

Ganglion cells

RetinaLens

Cornea

Amacrine cell

Bipolar cell

Horizontal cell

Photoreceptors Pigmented cells

Cone

Rod

Light

Axon of ganglion cell

Optic nerve

To optic nerve

21

Photoreceptors

1

Inner Nuclear Layer

3

Inner Nuclear Layer

3

Ganglion cells2

Inflammation of All Layers

4

Retina Service ProgramDirector,Associate

Professor Daniel M.Schwartz, MD, has beengranted a Physician-ScientistAward by Research toPrevent Blindness (RPB),which provides unrestrictedfunding for his innovativeresearch. Dr. Schwartz’swork has led to thedevelopment of imagingtechnology that promises toimprove early detection ofage-related maculardegeneration and providenovel therapeutic strategies.

These awards allowphysicians at U.S. medicalinstitutions to devote moretime to clinical eye researchactivities, and providegreater opportunities forspecialized study with directapplication to the humancondition. Dr. Schwartz isone of only 28 physicianscientists at 18 institutionswho have received the awardsince it was established in 2000.

Dr. Schwartz is endeavoring, through highly collaborative research, to make rapid progresson solving early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Moving research forwardquickly requires teams of specialists applying knowledge and skills from a variety ofperspectives – medicine, engineering, and chemistry, for example.

Dr. Schwartz’s current collaboration with engineers and scientists at Caltech provides hopefor a breakthrough for macular degeneration, working toward the development of a noveltherapy to diagnose and treat the disease early in its course, before visual loss has actuallyoccurred.

RPB has awarded major research grants to UCSF Ophthalmology this year in support of well-established scientists and promising young faculty, as well as department-wideophthalmic research.The world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research,RPB provides generous unrestricted funding for vision research. •


‘‘

Research to PreventBlindness AwardDr. Daniel Schwartz’s Physician-Scientist Award

Exceptional First-Time NIHResearch Grant AwardDr. Hilary Beggs Investigates Causes of Eye Disease

Grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been increasingly difficult to secure, with recent government cuts – and it is almost unheard of for someone

to score high enough for a research project to be funded the first time around, as HilaryBeggs has so ably done,” says Interim Chair Stephen McLeod, MD.“This governmentfunding is the lifeblood of all academic departments, and accounts for the lion’s share ofour research revenues.”

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Hilary Beggs, PhD, is one of a very small number of scientists awarded a major first-time NIH Research Project Grant (RO1) to supporthealth-related research. Only 18% of new RO1 applications are funded, and just 4% ofinvestigators under 35 receive an RO1 grant on their first application.

In order to be funded in this highly competitive process, the researcher must submit acomprehensive proposal showing preliminary data and the methodology of all proposedexperiments over the 5-year grant proposal period. Each proposal is reviewed by peers who are experts in the field, ranked against competing proposals, and only the topproposals are funded.

Dr. Beggs received RO1 support for a 5-year project on Mechanisms of Cell-MatrixInteraction and Signaling in Lens Development, using molecular, cellular, biochemical,

March of Dimes AwardDr. Erik Ullian Receives O’Connor Research Award

Neurobiology researcher,Assistant Professor Erik

Ullian, PhD, was awarded aprestigious Basil O’Connor StarterScholar Research Award from theMarch of Dimes Birth DefectsFoundation.This two-year awardsupports research on birth defectsby young scientists embarking onindependent research careers.

Dr. Ullian is studying a critical andpoorly understood process thatoccurs during development of thevisual system and nervous system;this process may be responsible forinfant blindness, as well as diseasesaffected by nervous systemdevelopment, such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.The process of“synapse elimination” occurs during infancy and youth, when an oversupply ofsynaptic connections is initially created, followed by a targeted elimination of all butthe most useful synapses.A defect in this maturational process may underliesubsequent blindness or neural disorders.

Dr. Ullian and colleagues have identified two synaptic proteins that are developmentallyregulated, and when these proteins are removed in a transgenic model, they haveshown that the normal synaptic elimination process does not occur correctly.Theinvestigators are now examining the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms thatmake the synaptic elimination process possible, so the eye or nervous system might beprotected from subsequent disease.

The Basil O’Connor Award is named after the March of Dimes’ first chairman andpresident. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agencywhose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects andinfant mortality, through research, community services, education, and advocacy. •

and structural approaches to provide unique insight into the mechanisms of eye development.

Dr. Beggs joins 14 UCSF Ophthalmology faculty members who have been granted NIHfunding, including 12 RO1 grants. In 2004, the UCSF School of Medicine was the third-largest recipient of NIH research dollars, receiving a total of $379.9 million from all awardsin the nationally competitive process, according to rankings released by the NIH. •

‘‘Discovering New Ways to Treat Macular DegenerationBernie Newcomb Supports Revolutionary Investigators

Our goal is to discover how age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD) causes

blindness, through improved diagnostics andunderstanding of the disease mechanism,in order to develop therapies that willimprove vision,” says AMD investigator,Associate Professor Jacque Duncan, MD.

Thanks to a generous grant from high-technology entrepreneur Bernie Newcomb,the revolutionary research of Dr. Duncanand her colleagues, Professor of Anatomyand Ophthalmology Matthew LaVail, PhD,

and Associate Professor Robert Bhisitkul,MD, PhD, is advancing new approaches toprotecting the vision of patients with AMD.

“My role is to add vitality to Jacque’s workin the lab through funding, and I am happyto be able to support such a dedicatedresearcher,” says Mr. Newcomb, founder of the Internet stock-trading companyE*TRADE.

With the goal of improving vision forpatients with wet AMD who receive PDT

(photodynamic therapy), the research ofDrs. Duncan, LaVail, and Bhisitkul hasshown that specific growth factors (such asBDNF or brain-derived neurotrophicfactor) can restore vision as they protectcells from PDT light damage.This excitingwork was published in November 2004.With generous support from Mr.Newcomb, the research was based on Dr.LaVail’s ground-breaking studies showingthat growth factors can protect cells fromlight damage. Drs. Duncan and LaVail havenow studied other growth factors and the

effect of repeated PDT treatments at 3-month intervals, and these results havebeen submitted for publication.

A new device now under evaluation byDr. Duncan could provide more exactingdiagnosis and description of AMD damageat an early stage.“Until now, irregularitiesof the eye have limited our ability tovisualize the cells affected earliest in AMD,”Dr. Duncan explains.With the adaptiveoptics scanning laser ophthalmoscope,invented at the UC Berkeley School ofOptometry by Associate Professor ofVision Science Austin Roorda, PhD, theinvestigators can closely examine patientretinas to provide insight into themechanism of vision loss among patientswith diverse retinal disorders.

To improve therapy for early AMD (thedry form of AMD), the investigators haveembarked on a study of the mechanismsof cholesterol metabolism in the retina.Generous funding from Mr. Newcombsupports a new project to study statinmedications in a preclinical model ofAMD.“We suspect that improving theefficiency of cholesterol metabolism usingstatin medications (such as Lipitor/Atorvastatin) will reduce the risk of visionloss due to AMD,” says Dr. Duncan. •Drs. Jacque Duncan and Matt LaVail shareinsights from their study of age-relatedmacular degeneration (AMD).


Internationally recognized as the preeminent center for the prevention of blindness worldwide through

research and teaching focused on infectious and inflammatory eye disease, the Francis I. Proctor

Foundation was established in 1947 as an Organized Research Unit at UCSF.

Sometimes a significant gift comes when it is most needed and can

leverage further support to make a real difference in the lives of

others – the doctor, the researcher, as well as the patients for

which they care. In this story of generosity, future generations

and people around the world suffering from vision loss and

blindness will have hope.

Generous long-time contributor to That Man May See,

Mrs. Jeannik Littlefield, made a recent $1 million gift to

support Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhD, Rose B.Williams

Chair for Research in Corneal Disease, and director

of the Francis I. Proctor Foundation for Research.

Mrs. Littlefield’s gift is for medical discovery in the field

of infectious eye disease.

“I wanted to help a highly competent and caring doctor

move his research along more quickly,” said Mrs. Littlefield.

“It makes me feel especially good when I hear that our gift

encouraged others to contribute.That seems to be the way it works.”

Eradicating Blinding Conditions WorldwideWith infectious diseases on the rise worldwide, research such as Dr. Margolis’s has

the potential to eradicate blinding conditions, here in the U.S. and in parts of the

developing world.

Director of the Ralph and Sophie Heintz Research Laboratory, Dr. Margolis conducts

research aimed at understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of infectious and inflammatory

eye disease, with a focus on ocular diseases caused by the herpes viruses.

Dr. Margolis’s clinical experience is in the medical and surgical management of infectious

and inflammatory ocular disease. He has a particular interest in ocular disease due to the

herpes viruses, and AIDS-associated ocular infections. His clinical research is aimed at

understanding the pathogenic mechanisms leading to atypical presentations of ocular

infections.This work dovetails closely with his laboratory research, providing

valuable clinical samples and raising important questions that can be

addressed at the laboratory bench.

The Proctor Foundation’s mission is to combine state-of-

the-art laboratory research with rigorous clinical

application in the field to provide practical answers

for prevention of blindness locally and worldwide.

“Thanks to Mrs. Littlefield, I have been given a

remarkable opportunity,” says Dr. Margolis.“Her gift

provides me with the ability to accelerate my laboratory

work and pursue more high-risk projects. It is our hope

that the work funded by Mrs. Littlefield will ultimately

improve clinical treatment and management for patients

with infectious eye disease. For this I am grateful.”

Recent Gifts to That Man May See for the Proctor Foundation

Other recent gifts to the Proctor Foundation, through That Man May

See, include support from the Bernard Osher Foundation.The gift for John P.

Whitcher, MD, MPH, and Thomas M. Lietman, MD, is for the continuing study of

trachoma in the sub-Saharan desert. Bent on the ultimate elimination of this disease, the

most common cause of blindness in the developing world and linked to extreme poverty

and poor sanitation, this project will expand research in Ethiopia to cover districts in the

northern part of the country, monitoring the treatment of over 200,000 more individuals,

mostly children, in these areas. •

Energizing the Work of Dr. Todd MargolisJeannik Littlefield Inspires Innovative Research

P R O C T O RPerspective

‘‘

“Our goal is to make this a more efficient place, clinicallyand surgically, while maintaining a high level of patientcare,” Dr. Naseri says.“We are updating our equipment and techniques, and we are working to streamline thepreoperative and postoperative patient flows to make this a more pleasant experience for patients.”

The VA has recently acquired advanced equipment tofacilitate diagnosis and patient care, including OCT (opticalcoherence tomography) for high-resolution cross-sectionalviews of the retina; the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer; anew tool for accurately measuring the eye before cataractsurgery, the Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master; and a cornealtopographer to measure subtle changes in the curvature of the cornea that can affect vision.

Patient Care and Research Team

“Our patients are very patient and understanding of thecomplexities of delivering health care,” Dr. Naseri says.

“UCSF faculty come to the VA on a regular basis forpatient care and teaching,” Dr. Naseri says, including VADirector of Ophthalmic Clinical Pharmacology AllanFlach, MD, PharmD; UCSF and VA Retinal ServiceDirector Daniel Schwartz, MD; oculoplastic surgeon,Associate Professor Kimberly Cockerham, MD; andGlaucoma Service Director Professor Robert Stamper,MD.They work closely with 15 members of the clinicalfaculty, as well as two full-time staff optometrists, BernardJ. Dolan, OD, MS, and Andrew Mick, OD, who alsoprovide patient care, research, and education at the VA.

There is a great deal of satisfaction in being able tohelp patients at the Veterans Administration, many of

whom have serious eye problems,” says Ayman Naseri, MD,who was named chief of ophthalmology at the VA andassistant professor of ophthalmology at UCSF, where hespecializes in cataract surgery and teaches residents.At theSan Francisco VA Medical Center, Dr. Naseri is responsiblefor clinical care, education, and research in ophthalmology.He leads UCSF faculty, optometrists, and residents inproviding over 15,000 patient visits a year.

“The opportunities for patient care, research, and educationare wonderful here,” says Dr. Naseri, explaining why hereturned to San Francisco from the Mayo Clinic inArizona, where he was a cornea and cataract specialist.“I also appreciate the intellectual curiosity that permeatesthe department.”

Helping Patientswith Serious EyeProblemsDr. Ayman Naseri Named Veterans

Administration Chief of Ophthalmology

Two new ophthalmic health technicians have also beenapproved to join the VA department, to assist in patientmeasurements, screening, and data gathering.

“Dr. Eugene de Juan will be spearheading our laboratoryresearch program,” Dr. Naseri notes,“and we are veryexcited that he will be joining us.” (See page 1 story on Dr. de Juan.)

Dr. Naseri’s research is focused on cataract surgery andhow cataract surgery is taught. His study at the MayoClinic of a modified technique to improve teaching of acritical step in cataract surgery (hydrodissection) ispublished in the British Journal of Ophthalmology Online.

New Orleans to Arizona to San Francisco

A native of New Orleans, Dr. Naseri attended EmoryUniversity School of Medicine in Atlanta. He interned atthe Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Scottsdale,Arizona, and was a resident at UCSF Ophthalmology and a fellow in cornea and refractive surgery at theUCSF/Proctor Foundation.

Prior to joining the UCSF faculty, Dr. Naseri was a cornea and refractive specialist and surgeon at the famed MayoClinic in Scottsdale,Arizona, where he maintained aclinical practice and conducted research.

An avid golfer, Dr. Naseri lives in San Francisco but goes to the East Bay or to Marin for sunny and warm golf outings.•

“The opportunities forpatient care, research,and education arewonderful here,” says Dr. Ayman Naseri,pictured with patientLowe Hong.

CordesC O N N E C T I O N

his mentor, Dr. Kimura, stayed in touch with Fred, urginghim to consider ophthalmology.

The Riedels’ daughter,Tori, now a veterinarian, was bornwhile they were in Greece.Their son, John, born afterthey returned to the U.S., is the West Coast institutionaltrading director for Wachovia Securities.

Fishing With Sam Kimura“Sam was a real enthusiast,” says Fred, who recalls days offishing with Dr. Kimura.“Sam talked about That ManMay See all the time. It was as though he was able to seeinto the future – long before anyone else. Sam projectedthat State of California funding would diminish, and thatwe needed to be forward thinking and make a plan forphilanthropy, if we wanted to make this the best place itcan be, for research, teaching, and patient care.”

So, in 1973, Fred came to UCSF Ophthalmology to finishhis studies as an ophthalmologist, and since graduation, hehas been in private practice in Walnut Creek.“Working inthis field is a real pleasure,” he says.“Every day, you dosomething that improves the quality of people’s lives.And,it’s intellectually challenging.”

Fred describes UCSF Ophthalmology as well positionedfor the future.“We have superb people, many of whomother departments would love to have.As I reflect on my

This interview is part of the ongoing Cordes Connection,which features UCSF Ophthalmology alumni.

When Fred Riedel, MD, recalls his residency atUCSF Ophthalmology, he describes two paths

he might have followed – orthopedic surgery andophthalmology:“both great programs.” He talks abouthis gratitude for UCSF Ophthalmology faculty andclinical faculty,Wayne Caygill, MD, Stacy Mettier,MD, and Sam Kimura, MD. He also counts That ManMay See board member emeritus Jim Livingstonamong those who have influenced his life.

But the first UCSF ophthalmologist to influenceFred’s career was ophthalmic plastic surgery pioneerProfessor Crowell Beard, MD, who met Fred inRochester, New York, where Fred’s mother-in-lawwas a nurse.

“I was destined to be an orthopedic surgeon,” as Fred tells the story. Fred’s father-in-law, who was anorthopedist, was happy with his own career, and hethought it would be good for Fred to follow the samepath – maybe even take over his practice one day.

The military intervened, and Fred and his youngbride, Judy, found themselves in Athens, Greece.As Fred’s military service was drawing to a close,

Two Roads DivergedDr. Frederick Riedel

training, I don’t want to boast, but I was exposed to thebest of the best.”

His advice to current residents in ophthalmology:“The single most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing. It may be demanding work and emotionallydraining, but it’s also emotionally rewarding. Find someaspect you really enjoy and put your heart into it.” •



Steven P. Shearing, MD (a former UCSF resident), whichdramatically changed the treatment of cataracts worldwide.

In 1984, Dr. Stanley was the first to do refractive surgeryat UCSF, starting with radial keratotomy (RK), andproceeding to other refractive procedures and finally tolaser treatment (LASIK).

Once he heard about diffractive optics developed atLawrence Livermore Laboratories for fusion research,Dr. Stanley set to work on an ultra-thin diffractiveintraocular lens that could successfully focus light forvision correction.“The technology was transferred to the corporate world, and today is the optical basis of a lens just coming to market as the Ultra Choice lens manufactured by the ThinOptX Company,”he says.

Fascinated by Ophthalmology

After Dr. Stanley graduated from HarvardMedical School in 1958, he first came toUCSF as an intern, followed by a move toBaltimore for work in cardiology with the U.S.Public Health Service and at Johns HopkinsMedical School.

Fascinated by ophthalmology, Dr. Stanley returned to California, where he completed a residency in ophthalmology at UCLAunder Bradley Straatsma, MD, followedby fellowships in corneal disease(Claes Dohlman, MD) and neuro-ophthalmology (David Cogan, MD)in Boston. His first job as a doctorwas as a staff member at theCleveland Clinic.An academiccareer in ophthalmology began in 1967, when he joined the faculty at Wake ForestUniversity in Winston-Salem,North Carolina.

Dr. Stanley returned to UCSF in 1976, when he wasrecruited by the then new UCSF Ophthalmology chair, the late Steven Kramer, MD, PhD, to head theOphthalmology Division at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, and become a member of the UCSFOphthalmology faculty.“It was the best job in the wholedepartment, where I could be my own boss,” he says.

Now Dr. Stanley will truly be his own boss. He and hiswife Manel are moving to Gilroy, where they will enjoytheir many hobbies and share more time with each other. •

Honoring 20 Years of ServiceOculoplastic Surgeon Dr. Stuart Seiff

Chief of Ophthalmology at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) and managing a new ophthalmic medical practice,Professor Stuart R. Seiff, MD, has been recognized by the Department of Ophthalmology for 20 years’ service on the

ophthalmology faculty at UCSF. Although he retires as chief of oculoplastics this year, Dr. Seiff remains an active member of the department.“We are very grateful for Dr. Seiff ’s contribution as a member of the faculty and his leadership as chiefof oculoplastics for 18 years,” says Interim Chair of Ophthalmology, Professor Stephen D. McLeod, MD.

Dr. Seiff continues to do research, including a landmark study on successful management of acute thyroid eye disease usingthyroid antibodies, with UCSF Ophthalmology Fellow Larissa Dragan, MD, recently published in Ophthalmic Plastic andReconstructive Surgery, and a study of current incidence of traumatic optic neuropathy.

He is also involved with That Man May See in raising funds for the SFGH Mobile Eye Van that is used for the AmericanChinese Eye Study in Chinatown, directed by Shan Lin, MD. Dr. Seiff is also raising funds to support construction of aMobile Eye Van that will be managed by the Thai Royal Family in Bangkok, and will be used by UCSF Ophthalmology forresearch in Thailand. •

he most lasting part of my ophthalmic career has beenmy work as a teacher,” says Professor John Stanley, MD,who retired this year as chief of ophthalmology at the SanFrancisco Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center.“As a teacher, you must stay at the forefront of your fieldto seek out what will work for the future.”

“I have taught over 180 residents at UCSF,Wake ForestUniversity, and the Cleveland Clinic, and watched themand helped them grow,” he says. Some of Dr. Stanley’seminent students are glaucoma surgeon, UCSF ProfessorJorge Alvarado, MD; cornea surgeon, Professor DavidHwang, MD; cataract specialist, UCSF Clinical ProfessorDavid Chang, MD; retina specialist, UCSF AssociateClinical Professor Richard McDonald, MD; ocularoncology specialist Devron Char, MD, director of theTumori Foundation, which supports and performs eyetumor research; Resident Instructor Marsha Kavanagh,MD; corneal and refractive surgery specialist DanielGoodman, MD; Marin County ophthalmologist RobertAnderson, MD; and Dalhousie University ProfessorRaymond Paul Leblanc, MD, who is head of ophthalmologyand president of the National Coalition for Vision Healthin Canada.“A lot of these individuals are my friends, today.”

“John Stanley has trained two generations of ophthalmologistswho have gone on themselves not only to take care ofpatients but also to train other ophthalmologists throughoutthe country,” says Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology andResident Training Douglas Fredrick, MD.“His impact onmedical training and research has been profound.”

Implants to the Ultra-Thin Lens

When Dr. Stanley joined the UCSF faculty in 1976,intraocular lens implants were rarely used in the Bay Area.“I had done advanced cataract surgery (phacoemulsification)and intraocular lens implantation in North Carolina,” herecalls.“I further developed these techniques at the VAHospital and at UCSF in my private practice. I taught the residents and other faculty members as well to dophacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.”

He was first in the Bay Area to use the posterior chamberintraocular lens implant invented by Las Vegas surgeon

Teacher, Clinician, InventorDr. John Stanley Retires

‘‘T

20


Farewell to a Visionary Remembering Dr. Steven Kramer, Former UCSF Ophthalmology Chair

he visionary chair of the Department of Ophthalmologyfor 27 years, Steven G. Kramer, MD, PhD, former

professor and Theresa M. and Wayne M. Caygill, MD Chairin Ophthalmology, died at his home from complications ofdiabetes on December 24, 2005. He was 64.

Dr. Kramer joined the UCSF Ophthalmology faculty in1973.Two years later, at the age of 36, he was appointedthe youngest-ever chair of the department, succeedingMichael Hogan, MD.

In 2002, Dr. Kramer celebrated his retirement, leaving an unprecedented legacy for ophthalmology at UCSF and worldwide.

Dr. Kramer was a thoughtful leader whose skill as afundraiser inspired That Man May See to successfullycomplete a building campaign that created the Koret VisionResearch Laboratory and the Beckman Vision Center,state-of-the-art research and clinical facilities on the UCSFParnassus campus.

Dr. Kramer’s leadership attracted the foremost inophthalmology to UCSF, expanding the department from 6 full-time faculty members to 30 world-renownededucators, clinicians, and researchers, all dedicated to seekingcures for blindness and loss of sight.The proximity of thesescientists under one roof has fostered major discoveries and unprecedented collaborations, resulting in medicalbreakthroughs and innovative devices to save sight and lives.His passion for teaching resulted in a first-rate, competitiveresidency program, influencing the future of eye care.

Raised in Chicago, Dr. Kramer attended Harvard Collegeand received his medical degree at Western ReserveUniversity. Dr. Kramer received ophthalmology and PhDtraining at the University of Chicago, where he developedspecial expertise in microsurgery and ocular pharmacology.In addition to his superb medical abilities and compassion,he was a skilled magician who delighted family and friendsand performed annually at the UCSF Ophthalmologyresidents’ graduation.

Dr. Kramer’s greatest pride was his family. He is survivedby his wife, Susan Garrett; his children, Janice, Kenneth,Daniel, Susan, Ryan, and Molly; and five grandchildren. Heis also survived by Bernadette Kramer, who continues towork closely with That Man May See in fundraising efforts.

The family requests that donations in honor of Dr. Kramerbe made to That Man May See (TMMS), 10 Koret Way,Box 0352, San Francisco, CA 94143-0352; phone:415.476.4016; or e-mail [email protected]. •

T

Faculty NewsRichard L. Abbott, MDAppointments: Oversight Committee for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness,WorldHealth Organization, Geneva; Clinically Relevant Curriculum International Task Force,AAO;AAO/ABO Performance in Practice Task Force, Geneva; International VisionResearch Collaborations Committee, NEI; Strategic Planning Committee, ExecutiveCommittee, Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company.Invited Lectures: Management of Difficult to Treat Corneal Infections, Incorporating New SurgicalTechniques Into Your Practice: An Ethical and Medicolegal Challenge, Preferred Practice Patterns inClinical Practice in the U.S., Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology, Manila; ImprovingQuality of Eye Care in China Through Clinical Practice Guidelines, Chinese National Congress,Tianjin; The U.S. Experience in Medical Malpractice and Litigation in Refractive Surgery,Controversies in Pre-operative Prophylaxis for the Prevention of Endophthalmitis, PanamanianOphthalmological Society, Panama City; Creating a Clinically Relevant Knowledge Base forOphthalmologists, Council Medical Specialty Societies, Repositioning CME Summit,Rosemont, Illinois; Evidence Based Ophthalmology and Its Relation to Pay for Performance,Corporate Advisory Council, San Francisco.

Jorge A. Alvarado, MDAwards: Best Speaker of the Day,The Royal Hawaiian Eye Meeting, Maui.Invited Lectures: Samuel Kimura Memorial Lecture, UCSF Ophthalmology GrandRounds; Mechanism of Action of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT): An Update,The RoyalHawaiian Eye Meeting 2006, Maui; Genotype and Phenotype Correlation in CongenitalGlaucoma: CYP1B1 Mutations, Goniodysgenesis and Clinical Characteristics, 2006 AmericanOphthalmological Society Meeting, Half Moon Bay; SLT: How Does it Work?, The RoyalHawaiian Eye Meeting 2005,Waikoloa, Hawaii; Analisis del N.O. en el Glaucoma; Glaucomade angulo cerrado: acontecimientos nuevos; Update en terapeutica cellular para el Glaucoma, XIIIJornadas Nacionales de Salud Ocular, Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Hilary E. Beggs, PhDAwards: Mechanisms of Cell-Matrix Interaction in the Developing and Diseased Eye, 5-yeargrant, National Institutes of Health R01.

David R. Copenhagen, PhDAppointments: Acting Chairman, Department of Physiology, UCSF School of Medicine.Awards: NIH 5-year training grant to train predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellowsin the biology of vision and visual diseases.Invited Lectures: Properties and Experience-Dependent Development of ON and OFF Pathwaysin Retina, UC Berkeley; Role of Neurotrophins in Experience-Dependent Development of theRetina, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke,Washington, DC.

Jacque L. Duncan, MDAwards: High-Resolution Retinal Imaging in Patients with Inherited Retinal Degenerations,5-year award, Foundation Fighting Blindness; Career Development Award, FoundationFighting Blindness.Invited Lectures: The Impact of Light on the Rate of Retinal Degenerations,Visiting Professor,Hospital for Sick Children,Toronto, Canada.

Allan J. Flach, MD, PharmDAwards: Senior Honor Award,American Academy of Ophthalmology; Jerome W. BettmanAward, Prevent Blindness, Northern California.Invited Lectures: Tuck Asbury Lecture, Conference Keynote Address,Annual MidwestOphthalmology Conference, University of Cincinnati Department of Ophthalmology andCincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati; Misuse and Abuse of Topically Applied NSAIDs, CordesSociety Meeting, San Francisco; Medical Therapy of the Glaucomas,Visiting Professor,University of Washington, Seattle; Treatment of Cystoid Macular Edema Following Cataract

Surgery,Washington Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Seattle; Perioperative Treatmentof the Cataract Patient, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, Boise, Idaho.

Douglas R. Fredrick, MDHonors: Chairman, Professional Education Committee,American Association for PediatricOphthalmology and Strabismus; Credentials Committee, UCSF; Clinical Studies SteeringCommittee, UCSF School of Medicine.Awards: Innovators in Education Grant, UCSF Academy of Medical Educators.Invited Lectures: Invited Visiting Professor, 21st Annual Registrars’ Conference, Universityof Sydney,Australia; UCSF Sixth Annual Ernest K. Goodner Lecturer, Department ofOphthalmology; Childhood Blindness, UCSF Ophthalmology Grand Rounds; Interventionsfor the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity,World Congress of Ophthalmology, Brazil;Vision Therapy: Fact vs. Fiction, UCSF Pediatric Grand Rounds.

Shan C. Lin, MD Awards: The Glaucoma Foundation Clinician-Scientist Award;American Academy ofOphthalmology Achievement Award.Invited Lectures: Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation in RefractoryGlaucomas Using Updated Techniques, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons,Lisbon, Portugal; Clinical Trials in Glaucoma: How They Have Impacted Clinical Practice, WorldOphthalmology Congress, Sao Palo, Brazil; Neuroprotection: Separating Fact from Fiction,Glaucoma Research and Education Group Glaucoma Symposium; Isolation andCharacterization of Fetal Trabecular Meshwork Cells for In Vitro Research, American GlaucomaSociety; The Role of the Cytoskeleton in Outflow Obstruction of POAG, Glaucoma GrandRounds,Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia; The Role of UBM in Angle Closure Management,Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Singapore; Trauma in Glaucoma, Stanford BasicScience Course in Ophthalmology; Phaco-Chopping Techniques, Harvard Medical SchoolCataract Surgical Training Conference, Boston; Chinese Eye Study, Frederick C. Cordes EyeSociety; Grand Rounds, National Taiwan University.

Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhDAppointments: International Vision Research Collaborations Committee and Indo-U.S.Joint Working Group, National Eye Institute;Vision Clinical Scientist DevelopmentProgram External Advisory Committee, Harvard.Honors: Best Doctors in America 2005-2006.Invited Lectures: Thomas H. Pettit Lecture, UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute;VisitingProfessor and Department of Ophthalmology Talk, Harvard Medical School; HSV OcularDisease: Clinical Pearls and New Concepts in Viral Latency, Emory Medical School; HSVOcular Disease and VZV Ocular Disease, Corneal Society of Thailand; HIV Associated OcularDisease, Royal College of Ophthalmology of Thailand; Establishment and Maintenance ofHSV Latent Infection, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and EarInfirmary, Boston; New Concepts in VZV Ocular Disease, Stanford University.

Stuart R. Seiff, MDAwards: Eye Van Award, Mobile Eye Service, California Association of Public Hospitals.Honors: Guest of Honor, Oregon Academy of Ophthalmology; Guest of Honor,ArgentineSociety of Ophthalmology.Invited Lectures: California Society of Plastic Surgery; Special Faculty, HawaiianOphthalmological Society;Visiting Professor, Ophthalmology Grand Rounds, University ofMedicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Erik M. Ullian, PhDAwards: The Role of Neuronal Pentraxins in Visual Circuit Formation, Basil O’Connor StarterScholar Research Award, 2-year grant, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.


New Directions in Ocular TherapiesUCSF 2005 December Course

Internationally renownedinvestigators – including

Susan H. Day, MD, president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology andophthalmology chair at CaliforniaPacific Medical Center, as well as members of the UCSFOphthalmology faculty – updatedpracticing ophthalmologists onadvances in ocular therapy at a unique educational forumpresented by the department inSan Francisco each December.

Robert Ritch, MD, chief ofglaucoma service at New YorkEye and Ear Infirmary, deliveredthe Proctor Lecture, speaking onexfoliation syndrome, which hasonly recently been recognized asthe most common identifiableform of glaucoma.

New insights, said Dr. Ritch,have increased the importance of accurate diagnosis of this age-related type of glaucoma,which causes severe optic nervedamage and an increased risk of postdilation IOP (intraocularpressure).

Guest speakers also included Lee Jampol, MD, professor andchairman of ophthalmology,Northwestern University; KuldevSingh, MD, MPH, associateprofessor of ophthalmology,Stanford University School ofMedicine; and Mark A.Terry,MD, director of corneal services,Devers Eye Institute, Portland.

“This was a cutting-edgemeeting,” says Associate ProfessorDaniel Schwartz, MD, who

The following UCSF facultymade presentations at the UCSFDecember Course, Ophthalmology2006: New Directions in OcularTherapies:

Jorge Alvarado, MDDavid Chang, MDKimberly Cockerham, MDJacque Duncan, MDAllan Flach, MD, PharmDDouglas Fredrick, MDJonathan Horton, MD, PhDDavid Hwang, MDAlexander Irvine, MDThomas Lietman, MDShan Lin, MDStephen McLeod, MDJoan O’Brien, MDDaniel Schwartz, MDStuart Seiff, MD

Robert Stamper, MDJohn Stanley, MDJay Stewart, MDErich Strauss, MDJohn Whitcher, MD, MPH

The following UCSF clinicalfaculty made December Coursepresentations:

Gary Aguilar, MDDavid Chang, MDJohn Hetherington, MDCharlene Hsu-Winges, MDAndrew Iwach, MDJ. Michael Jumper, MDH. Richard McDonald, MDJ. Earl Rathbun, MDA. Sydney Williams, MD

chaired the program withProfessor Robert Stamper, MD,and Professor and Interim Chairof Ophthalmology Stephen D.McLeod, MD.

THANK YOUThanks to the following

donors for educational

grants in support of the

December Course program:

Alcon,Allergan, Santen,Genentech, NovartisOphthalmics, Pfizer, Bausch &Lomb, Heidelberg Engineering,Merck, Carl Zeiss Meditec,Ellman International, Inc.,Eyetech, ISTA Pharmaceuticals,Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,Lumenis, Inc.

Richard L. Abbott, MD

The Compendium of Evidence-BasedEye Care; Doctor, How MuchExperience Do You Have?; RiskManagement Pearls in CataractSurgery; Office-Based SurgicalProcedures: Pearls from the Proctor;Claims, Lawsuits and LASIK: HowDo You Reduce The Legal Risks?;How PPPs Help with: MOC, Payfor Performance, Quality of Care;Update: Pay for Performance:TheRole of PPPs and EBM with Pay forPerformance; History of Maintenanceof Certification; Update: PracticingOphthalmologists Curriculum andthe MOC Review Course.

Jorge A. Alvarado, MD

Combined Phacoemulsification andGlaucoma Drainage ImplantSurgery; Lasers in Glaucoma;Endoscopic CyclophotocoagulationDuring Cataract Surgery in theManagement of the Plateau IrisSyndrome.

UCSF Faculty Make Scientific Presentations2005 Annual Meeting in Chicago

Kimberly P. Cockerham, MD,

FACS

Causes of Diplopia You Do Not Want to Miss; Diplopia;Ophthalmologic Manifestations ofCommunity-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus AureusInfection;The Tearing Patient:ASystematic Approach; EndoscopicForehead and Eyebrow Elevation;Practical Rheumatology for theOphthalmologist:What,When,and Why.

Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD

Age-Related Macular Degeneration:Evolving Treatment Options andSurgical Management of AMD;Rapid Recurrence of GeographicAtrophy Following Full MacularTranslocation for Nonexudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Allan J. Flach, MD, PharmD

Medical Therapy of Open-AngleGlaucoma:A Complete Review of

the Pharmacodynamics,Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicity of AllDrugs Potentially Useful; MedicalTherapy of Open-Angle Glaucoma:Prevention and Treatment ofComplications; Medical Therapy ofthe Glaucomas.

Douglas R. Fredrick, MD

What's New and Important inPediatric Ophthalmology andStrabismus; Myopia: Do AnyTherapies Slow or Halt ItsProgression?; Cataracts in Children:Diagnosis and Treatment.

Creig S. Hoyt, MD

Pediatric Neuro-Ophthalmology.

David G. Hwang, MD

Evolving Concepts in OcularInfectious Disease; Lacrimal SiliconeIntubation for AnatomicallySuccessful but Functionally FailedExternal Dacryocystorhinostomy;Pearls from the Proctor.

Todd P. Margolis, MD, PhD

Evolving Concepts in OcularInfectious Disease; Role of PCR and Other Molecular Diagnostics in Clinical Practice: Pearls from the Proctor.

Stephen D. McLeod, MD

Specialized Medicines in Cornea and External Disease; Pearls fromthe Proctor.

Joan M. O’Brien, MD

Retinoblastoma 2005.

Daniel M. Schwartz, MD

New and Emerging Technologies inCataract and Refractive Surgery.

Stuart R. Seiff, MD

Fundamental Facelifting Techniquesin Aesthetic Oculoplastic Surgery;Basic Oculoplastic Surgery;Endoscopic Forehead and EyebrowElevation; Botulinum Toxin, Fillers,

and More; Fear Factors:Things MostFeared in Oculoplastics – TraumaticOptic Neuropathy.

Robert L. Stamper, MD

Point-Counterpoint in Glaucoma:The Experts Debate; Spotlight onGlaucoma: Glaucoma Care andTechnology – Alternative Tonometry:New and Improved?

John A. Stanley, MD

Small-Incision No-Stitch Non-PhacoCataract/IOL Surgery: Phacofracture– Back to the Future.

John P. Whitcher, MD, MPH

2005 International Forum:TheChanging Face of World Blindness;Pearls from the Proctor.


VISION Optical Opensin Millberry UnionState-of-the-Art Exams, Contacts, and Glasses

Fashion eyewear from Marchon, Coach, Calvin Klein, and more.Progressive, no-line bifocals in a variety of materials, includingTransitions. Custom-fitted gas-permeable and soft contact lenses,with the newest technology in designs and materials toaccommodate challenging visual needs.

The new VISION Optical dispensary in Millberry Union offers comprehensive eye examinations, and the best options for clear, comfortable vision for childrenand adults.

With a large variety of in-stock fashion frames, sunglasses,and contact lenses, opticians will share the latestinformation on lenses and frames, and recommend the bestvision solutions.A knowledgeable full-service staff will beavailable if adjustments or repairs are needed.

“It is so rewarding to help people see better,” saysoptometrist Kelvin K.Tang, OD, FAAO, who directs thenew, state-of-the-art dispensary.“Our goal is to consider allthe options so we can evaluate a patient’s visual needs,

correct for refractive error, and provide patients with thegreatest comfort.” Dr.Tang adds:“It is incredible to haveworld-renowned ophthalmologists right here at UCSF torefer to if glaucoma, cataracts, or other serious eye diseaseis discovered.”

Fitting Contact Lenses

“Having contacts should be a convenience, providingoptimal visual clarity and comfort throughout the day,”says Dr.Tang, whose specialty includes lens fit for patientswith difficult eye conditions. He fits contacts for patientswith corneal disease such as kerataconus, pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD), or corneal implants(keratoprosthesis). Dr.Tang recalls one patient who wentfrom having difficulty counting his fingers at a 6-inchdistance to having 20/70 visual acuity with carefully fittedcontact lenses.

VISION Optical will provide contact lenses with the newest materials and designs for different visualrequirements; and a full range of multifocal gas-permeableand soft lenses, contacts for astigmatism, color contacts,and custom lenses will be available.

Teaching Tomorrow’s Eye Care Providers

At UCSF, Dr.Tang joins the optometry team of SalenaLee, OD, FAAO, and Roland Jung, OD.“I wanted to be inan academic institution where I could see patients, educatetomorrow’s optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists,and do research,” says Dr.Tang.

As part of their training, Dr.Tang will teach optometricinterns and ophthalmology residents advanced refractivetechniques, and how contact lenses work.The examinationfacilities are designed for patient comfort, with the latestdiagnostic instrumentation.VISION Optical will be apaperless office, keeping all medical records electronicallyso they can be easily accessed at a later time.

Dr.Tang’s research will focus on evaluating the next-generation contact lens designs, materials, and cleaningsolutions. He recently completed a one-year clinicalfellowship at Jules Stein Eye Institute at the Geffen Schoolof Medicine at UCLA, where he studied how to fitcomplicated contact lenses.

Dr.Tang received his undergraduate degree at UCLA,and his doctor of optometry degree at Pacific UniversityCollege of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon. He livesin Walnut Creek, and is engaged to John Muir MedicalCenter dietitian Kylie S. Smith, MS, RD; they will bemarried in August in California’s wine country.

“We sincerely hope that the new VISION Opticaldispensary will be able to serve your needs by providingthe best in eye care and outstanding customer service,”says Dr.Tang. •VISION Optical

UCSF Department of Ophthalmology

Millberry Union, Level-I 500 Parnassus AvenueMonday – Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.415.476.3100Insurance accepted.

Dr. Kelvin K. Tang

BoardO F D I R E C T O R S

TMMS Welcomes New Board MembersDr. Ossama Hassanein

Ossama R. Hassanein, PhD,is the managing partner of Newbury Ventures.A veteran of the data

communications industry, he has playedactive and diverse roles for over 30 years in the industry as an educator,entrepreneur, corporate executive, andventure investor.

He is director and founder of TechnocomVentures, a seed financing venture capitalcompany managed jointly with FranceTelecom in Paris. Chairman of the boardof nCipher in England, he was formerlychairman of Highwave Technologies inFrance and High Deal in France. Dr.Hassanein is also a co-founding investorand current or former board member of several companies including CorvisCorporation, Broadwing Corporation,BDNA Corp, and NetCentrex.

Dr. Hassanein was previously founder andchairman of ACC, a WAN remote accesscompany, acquired in 1998 by Ericsson.Prior to founding ACC, he was a venturecapitalist and executive vice president ofBerkeley International Capital Corporation;and before that he was an internationalexecutive with Northern Telecom.

Dr. Hassanein received his BASc inelectrical engineering (distinctions,first-class honors) from the University of Alexandria, his MASc in electricalengineering, and MBA from theUniversity of British Columbia.He completed his PhD in electricalengineering at the University of BritishColumbia, and also holds a PhD inbusiness administration from the California Coast University.

Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt,he still maintains close family ties andenduring friendships there. He is an

avowed fan of Mediterranean history,cuisine, and culture. He and his wifeMarjan have two children.

These days, Dr. Hassanein commutesbetween Paris and Silicon Valley, acting asNewbury’s ambassador to the Europeanportfolio companies, incubation centers,and financial community.

David Glotzer

David Glotzer is the vice president ofbusiness development atMellon Private WealthManagement and is well

known among board members of ThatMan May See. Mellon has been fundingthe popular Eye Opener series of events to present the most entrepreneurial andexperimental projects of UCSFOphthalmology to the public.

Prior to his career with Mellon, Mr. Glotzerwas a professional fundraiser, beginning in 1997. He was the Western campaignmanager for Brown University, anddirector of development at Lick-Wilmerding High School. He has workedin development for many Bay Areainstitutions including the San FranciscoMuseum of Modern Art, the SanFrancisco Opera, the San Francisco ArtCommission Neighborhood Arts Program,and the Golden Gate National ParkAssociation. He was the first executivedirector of the San Francisco County Fair and Exposition in 1981.

Prior to his arrival in San Francisco,Mr. Glotzer was the founding editor andpublisher of Mulch Press, an independentpublishing company based in New Yorkand Northampton, Massachusetts. He and his wife Charlotte Meyer live in theEast Bay. •


When Terry Caygill and Pearl Kimura go to lunch, theymake things happen. Recently, the two met to celebratetheir mutual birthdays, and, while toasting many

productive years and happy memories with UCSFOphthalmology and That ManMay See (TMMS), the twowomen decided it was time toinitiate a campaign for a chair tohonor the retirement of Creig S.Hoyt, MD, who has served aschairman of the ophthalmologydepartment for the past three years,following a distinguished career at UCSF.

Mrs. Caygill and Mrs. Kimura seed-funded the campaign with their ownmajor gifts as challenge funds.Thenthey put a plan in motion to gatherthe rest of the $500,000 needed toname the Deborah Hoyt and Creig S. Hoyt, MD Chair. Soon afterwards,Mrs. Kimura encountered TMMSbenefactor Bernie Newcomb. On thespot, she asked him to participate witha lead gift of his own. He said “yes,” and the ball was rolling.

Other lead funders came forward with gifts from Tom, Jan,Tommie, andChristopher Bird; and from the Stephen S. and Paula K. Smith FamilyFoundation. Many others responded to the challenge: colleagues,grateful patients, and friends. On the evening of April 26, following thequarterly board meeting of That Man May See, ophthalmology facultyand friends presented Dr. Hoyt and his wife, Debbie, with the chair at asurprise dinner.

It Had to Be a Surprise

“The chair honoring Creig had to be a surprise,” said Stephen McLeod,MD, interim chair of UCSF Ophthalmology.“Creig’s modesty wouldnever have allowed us to tell him about the event, nor the chair, inadvance of the occasion.“We had to be surreptitious as well as speedy,or he would have caught on and left town, rather than be feted andpraised for his work,” explained Dr. McLeod.

Soon into his chairmanship of the department, Dr. Hoyt announced anambitious array of projects to expand the department’s excellence inresearch, teaching, and patient care.These included new faculty positions,eye clinic improvements, and the creation of an innovative visiontechnology project, the Collaborative Vision Research Group, designedto bring new ideas to patient care more quickly.

Formerly the Jean Kelly Stock Distinguished Professor and holder ofthe Theresa M. and Wayne M. Caygill, MD Chair in Ophthalmology,Dr. Hoyt has served UCSF as resident, researcher, professor, physician,healer, and Renaissance man. Dr. Hoyt is a graduate of Amherst Collegeand Cornell University School of Medicine. He trained as a resident inophthalmology and neurology at UCSF, and completed a fellowship atRoyal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne,Australia.

Recognized internationally for his work, Dr. Hoyt joined the UCSFfaculty in 1977, with a joint appointment in ophthalmology and

pediatrics. During his distinguished career, he has been renowned as a captivating speaker, delivering hundreds of invited lectures around

the world. In addition, he hasauthored a prodigious number of original publications whichadvanced scientific understandingof optic nerve hypoplasia, gazedisorders, nystagmus, delayedvisual maturation, cortical visualimpairment, strabismus, andcongenital ocular syndromes.

Landmark Infant

Cataract Study

One of Dr. Hoyt’s outstandingcontributions to the field was his pioneering studydemonstrating that infantswith congenital cataracts can achieve good visionthroughout their lives ifthey have corrective surgerysoon after birth.The

motivation for this bold approach came from thebrain development research of neurobiologists David H. Hubel, MD,and Torsten N.Wiesel, MD, whose work was recognized by the 1981Nobel Prize, which showed that the visual cortex remains plastic for acritical period during infancy.

Dr. Hoyt is the first non-British editor of the British Journal ofOphthalmology. In 2002, he was one of only a few Americans everinvited to present the Doyne Memorial Lecture to the OxfordOphthalmologic Congress.

With his British colleague David Taylor, MD, FRCS, FRCP,FRCOphth, DSc(med), Dr. Hoyt has produced a uniquely comprehensivereference on pediatric ophthalmology, Pediatric Ophthalmology andStrabismus (3rd edition).The 1300-page text, a comprehensive array ofinformation from leading international experts, featuring state-of-the-art research and procedures, is an entirely revised edition that will be astaple in the field. He also co-authored a classic textbook on strabismusmanagement with his longtime colleague William V. Good, MD.

Whatever Dr. Hoyt takes on, he does it with gusto, whether it bebicycling, kayak racing, reading great books, listening to classical music,or weaving Navajo rugs. Noted by Dr. Hoyt as his most honorableachievement is the mentoring of students as the future ophthalmologicleaders of the profession.

As a tribute to Dr. Hoyt, Gavin Newsom, mayor of the City and Countyof San Francisco, proclaimed April 26, 2006, as Creig S. Hoyt, MD, andUCSF Ophthalmology Day.

For information about how to participate in the Deborah Hoyt andCreig S. Hoyt, MD Chair, please contact Kathleen Rydar at That ManMay See, at 415.476.4016. •

Friends and Colleagues Honor Dr. Creig HoytWith Endowed Chair in His Name

Thank You for GenerousContributions to the DeborahHoyt and Creig S. Hoyt, MDChair in Ophthalmology

Leadership GiftsBernard A. Newcomb Fund at

Peninsula Community FoundationTheresa M. CaygillTom, Jan,Tommie & Christopher BirdPearl T. KimuraStephen S. and Paula K. Smith Family

Foundation

Major ContributorsW. Scott Thomas, Esq.Dr. and Mrs. Stacy R. Mettier, Jr.The Mattson Family Conservation

Foundation Inc.Dr.Thomas and Mrs.Yvonne MazzoccoRichard and Candace OlsenDavid and Victoria ChangMarilyn and David Pratt Special GiftsDaniel and Jeanne BenatarRobert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD, and

Sara MacPhersonDr. Shi-Hwa William and

Therese ChangDr. and Mrs. J. Brooks CrawfordSuzanne and Bruce CrockerPeter D’Alena, MDJohn de Benedetti and Nina SrejovicDr. Grant and Mrs.Austra GaugerAnn and Charles GolsonWilliam V. Good, MDJonathan and Lidia HortonEdward L. HowesDrs.Alexander and Chauncey IrvineDr.Arthur and Mrs. Peggy JampolskyDale and Burton KushnerShiu and Wai-Wah KwokShan C. Lin, MDMr. and Mrs.Angus L. MacLean, Jr.Stephen D. McLeod, MD and

Marion FaymonvilleAyman Naseri, MD, and Alejandra G.

de Alba, MD, MPHRosanne and Michael OglesCameron Parsa, MDVelimir and Ming PetroviDaniel M. Schwartz, MDDavid Sretavan, MD, PhD, and

Jacqueline Leung, MD, MPHRobert and Naomi StamperEleanor and Ira G.Wong, MD

Family Foundation

ContributorsRichard Abbott, MDJorge and Jean AlvaradoAnonymousJoe Franklin Arterberry, MD, FACSHilary Beggs, PhD, and Thomas BarbashRichard Beller, MDDr. and Mrs. Blaine S. BoydenNieca D. Caltrider, MDArnett Carraby, MDDenis and Anne CarrollJoyce and David CopenhagenDr. and Mrs. John T. DawsonSusan H. Day, MDJanet and Bill DinsmoreJacque Duncan, MD, and

Keith Duncan, PhDJohn T. Flynn, MDTom and Gunilla FollettDr. Douglas and Mary Pat FredrickDr. and Mrs. Francisco A. GarciaDiana HicksDean and Debra HirabayashiDr. Ronald A. KalaytaScott R. Lambert, MDJennifer H. LaVail, PhDMatthew LaVail, PhD, and Katelin

Ryan-LaVailVernon and Peggy LightfootMr. and Mrs. James P. LivingstonTodd and Nina MargolisVeronica J.B.D. MastersonG. Richard O’Connor, MDTerri-Diann Pickering, MDDr. and Mrs. J. Earl RathbunRichard and Marianne ReynoldsFred and Judy RiedelKathleen L. RydarPauline Schwartz, PhD, and

Ariah Schwartz, MDStuart R. Seiff, MD, FACSDr. and Mrs. Lionel W. SorensonDr. Scott and Mrs. Jennifer SykesStephen C.Tanaka, MDDenise and Terry ThomasErik M. Ullian, PhDJack and Marilyn WhitcherA. Sydney Williams, MD

Dr. Stephen McLeod, professor and interim chair of ophthalmology, presentsDr. Creig Hoyt with a framed tribute honoring Creig’s retirement as well asthe contributors to the endowed chair.

(Left):Leadership gifts for theendowed chair came from Pearl Kimura, left,Bernie Newcomb, PaulaSmith, Steve Smith, andTheresa Caygill. Notpictured and also leadfunders of the chair areTom, Jan, Tommie, andChristopher Bird.

(Right):Friends gathered in theatrium of the World TradeClub before the dinnerhonoring Dr. Creig Hoyt at a surprise celebrationof his retirement fromUCSF Ophthalmology.


eet the newest members of the staff – Director of Individual Gifts Veronica Masterson, and

Development Assistant Danielle Pickett – focused onassisting donors to That Man May See, the supportfoundation for UCSF Ophthalmology.

“That Man May See is expanding its vision, to be betterable to serve the aspirations of our faculty and the needs of our contributors,” says Kathleen Rydar, president ofTMMS.“We welcome two highly regarded professionalswho can help increase support to make medicalbreakthroughs possible.”

Veronica J. B. D. Masterson, who works with individualdonors to TMMS, is experienced in both the business worldand the nonprofit sector. She provides information andrecognition for members of the Chairman’s Forum forInnovation, founded in 2004 to acknowledge donors of$1000 and above.These generous gifts accelerate research,advance education, and ensure high-quality vision care,including targeted contributions and unrestricted gifts thatprovide the greatest latitude in enhancing vision discoveries.

As vice president and managing director of marketing andinvestor relations for the $2 billion company HamiltonFinancial Corporation,Veronica helped take thecorporation public.When she became a parent, sherededicated herself to nonprofit work, helping to raise

New TMMS Staff Assisting Donors Veronica Masterson and Danielle Pickett

funds and chart new dimensions for Bay Area organizations.She created a new, award-winning fundraiser for the JuniorLeague; she also served as development chair for The SanFrancisco School and for the San Francisco ShakespeareFestival. Early in her career, she worked in development for Choate Rosemary Hall, and several nonprofits in SanFrancisco and New York. Her experience covers annualfunds and endowments, and strategic planning from theground up.

Veronica did graduate work at New York University andholds a BA from Wesleyan University in Connecticut.She says that her initiation into the health care field was as a candy striper at the age of 13.

Veronica and her 10-year-old daughter live in SanFrancisco. In the early mornings, you might find Veronicaat Lake Merced, where she rows crew with the SanFrancisco Rowing Club.

“I am honored and proud to be part of this effortsupporting the dedicated professionals at UCSFOphthalmology,” Veronica Masterson says.“Their researchand care have a tremendous impact around the world.”

Danielle A. Pickett may be the first voice you hear atTMMS, as she monitors the reception desk, manages thedatabase, and provides support for TMMS and its

contributors. Originally from Massachusetts, Danielleworked as a public school teacher in Brooklyn beforemoving to San Francisco. She joined the TMMS staff toutilize her strong administrative skills in an environmentwhere she could help effect positive change.

Danielle holds a master’s degree from the City College of New York in English as a Second Language, and earned a BA at New York University. Her boyfriend,Will Schachterle, is also at UCSF, as a PhD student inimmunology.

“I have relatives with macular degeneration,” says DaniellePickett.“That is one of my motivations for this work, tosupport the search for a cure for eye disease.”

Please join us in welcoming Veronica Masterson andDanielle Pickett to the TMMS team.They look forward to meeting you and helping achieve our goals to furtherresearch and work for vision care. •

Veronica Masterson and Danielle Pickett

M

Thank you for support of visionresearch, teaching, and patient care

received between October 5, 2005, andJuly 18, 2006.

Distinguished Contributors($1,000,000.00 + )Mrs. Jeannik M. LittlefieldShirley Reich Estate

Benefactors($500,000.00 + )Alexander Family TrustThe Lincy Foundation

Honored Patrons($250,000.00 + )Frannie Fleishhacker

Visionaries($100,000.00 + )Alcon Research, Ltd.Allergan PharmaceuticalsTheresa M. CaygillRichard H. Chartrand Eye Research FoundationThe Thomas J. Long FoundationDonald and Judy McCubbinBernard A. Newcomb Fund at Peninsula CommunityFoundationThe Bernard Osher FoundationThe John and Lisa Pritzker Family Fund

Entrepreneurs($50,000.00 + )Alcon Laboratories, Inc.David Bulfer and Kelly PopeJeanne CopelandEdmund and Jeannik Littlefield FoundationMr. and Mrs. Charles D. MillerThe Sandler Family Supporting Foundation

Investors($25,000.00 + )AnonymousTom, Jan,Tommie & Christopher BirdHellman Family Philanthropic FundPearl T. KimuraDr.Thomas and Mrs.Yvonne MazzoccoStephen S. and Paula K. Smith Family FoundationJoan and David Traitel

Director's Council($10,000.00 + )AnonymousThe Bellini FoundationDaniel and Jeanne BenatarMr. and Mrs. Daniel G. CookEyetis FoundationHerst Family FoundationThe Joan Leidy Foundation, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. James P. LivingstonThe Mattson Family Conservation Foundation Inc.MellonDr. and Mrs. Stacy R. Mettier, Jr.Ivan, Maris, and Harry MeyersonDavid and Marilyn PrattRobert and Karen Rishwain Family FoundationJeanne and Sanford Robertson FundThe Robinson FoundationMr. and Mrs. Laurence L. SpittersThe Gloria Jean Stefani TrustJohn P. StockW. Scott Thomas

Luminaries($5,000.00 + )Sylvia and Buck BreiholzSuzanne and Bruce CrockerThe de Benedetti Charitable FundJanet and Bill DinsmoreMark Feldberg and Emilyn PageAnn and Charles GolsonSusan and Robert GreenCharles W. HomerJean-Claude KaminsKoret FoundationChong-Moon Lee FoundationMr. and Mrs.Angus L. MacLean, Jr.McKesson Foundation, Inc.Richard and Candace OlsenWalter J. and Patsy R. PartonPayne Family FoundationFrank & Denise Quattrone FoundationSaints and Sinners FundAnn,Aline and David SinaiSkaer Family FoundationEric Zankman and Pamela KaufmannSusan Carter, MD and Marco A. Zarbin, MD, PhD

Dream Makers($2,500.00 + )Mary and Phil AndersonMr. and Mrs. Jeff BleichDavid and Victoria ChangMr. and Mrs. Norman E. CimaEdward and Margaret CollinsMr. and Mrs. Donald W. DavisMr. and Mrs. Milo S. GatesJames and Julie GrazianiWilliam H. and Frances D. GreenJulie and Walter J. Haas FundKomes FoundationShiu and Wai-Wah KwokMichael and Alexandra MarstonRosanne and Michael OglesToni and Arthur RockKathleen L. RydarDr. and Mrs. Steven P. ShearingRobert and Naomi StamperJacqueline and Robert Young

Innovators($1,000.00 + )William W.AbrahamDorothy and Richard AnnesserAnonymousInga and Bryant BennettArthur Berliner Philanthropic FundRobert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD, and Sara MacPhersonPaula and Joel BlankMr. and Mrs. Robert N. BlochMr. and Mrs. Johnson S. BogartLeslie and Michael BraunJack Busch and Patty Hagen-BuschC.M. Capital FoundationJohn E. and Helen K. Cahill FundJohnson and Selina ChaDr. Shi-Hwa William and Therese ChangKimberly P. Cockerham, MD, FACSJerry and Geraldine ColeJoseph V. Costello, Jr.Dr. and Mrs. J. Brooks CrawfordDr. and Mrs. Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr.Peter D’Alena, MDRosalind Gray Davis and Robert M. DavisJohn de Benedetti and Nina SrejovicSue and John DiekmanAnnette DobbsMarilyn and John DougeryDr. and Mrs. James E. DowlingRonald and Davina DrabkinLeonard J. Shustek and Donna DubinskyRobert Eberle and Mary CarryerDr. and Mrs. James F. EggertElaine A. EklundEmily H. FineDr.Allan and Teri Flach

Tom and Gunilla FollettJohn and Marilynn FultonFrances W. Garron TrustGrant and Austra GaugerMr. and Mrs. Michael R. GaulkePaul and Béatrice GomoryWilliam V. Good, MDLorrie and Richard GreeneGrimm Family FundDr. and Mrs. Plato J. GrivasPauline L. HaddadArthur and Shirley HarperThe Hartless FoundationCharlene HarveyKenneth G. Hausman and Ellyn LazarusJonathan and Lidia HortonEdward L. HowesPaige and Kirby HutsonDrs.Alexander and Chauncey IrvineMargaret M. JacobsenDr.Arthur and Mrs. Peggy JampolskyJoan and Paul KaufmannElizabeth H. KemsleyRobert L. KnoxBurton and Dale KushnerBabette LevingstonShan C. Lin, MDAngiolina MartiniStephen D. McLeod, MD and Marion FaymonvilleRichard and Virginia MichauxPeter and Lela MoulthropLary Lynn and Anthony MullerAyman Naseri, MD, and Alejandra G. de Alba, MD,MPHCameron Parsa, MDCyril M. and Roma C. PeletzVelimir and Ming PetroviDan PoratWalter T. RaineriCharles J. RobelJohn W. and Barbara H. RosstonSan Francisco Chinatown Lions CaliforniaJohn and Diane SavageIsabel P. SchuchardtDaniel M. Schwartz, MDMary and Marshall SmallPierre and Dorothy SpearDavid W. Sretavan, MD, PhD, and Jacqueline M.Leung, MD, MPHMichael H. StaffMr. and Mrs. Dexter C.TightChristopher and Lori ToomeyKatherine and Mark ValentineWilliam D. and Mary Jane WalshRuth S.WhiteA. Sydney Williams, MDDrs. Myra and Burton WiseEleanor and Ira G.Wong, MD Family Foundation

Honor Roll of Generous Contributors


When Terry Caygill and PearlKimura go to lunch, theymake things happen.

Recently, the two met to celebrate theirmutual birthdays, and, while toastingmany productive years and happymemories with UCSF Ophthalmologyand That Man May See (TMMS), thetwo women decided it was time toinitiate a campaign for a chair to

honor the retirement of Creig S. Hoyt, MD, whohas served as chairman of theophthalmology department for the pastthree years, following a distinguishedcareer at UCSF.

Mrs. Caygill and Mrs. Kimura seed-funded the campaign with their own

major gifts aschallenge funds.

Then they put a plan in motion to gather the rest of the $500,000needed to name the Deborah Hoyt andCreig S. Hoyt, MD Chair. Soonafterwards, Mrs. Kimura encounteredTMMS benefactor Bernie Newcomb. Onthe spot, she asked him to participate with

S I G H T I N G S

Dr. Stephen McLeod, interim chair of ophthalmology,with guest speaker for the annual Transamerica Lecture,Anthony Moore from Moorfields Eye Hospital and Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, and his wife,Julia Moore.

Candace and Dick Olsen, hosts for the TransamericaDinner, celebrating Residents’ Day and the TransamericaLecture.

Brook Byers, former chair of the board of That Man MaySee, with Pearl Kimura, board member emerita, at UCSFOphthalmology’s memorial tribute to Dr. Steven Kramer.

Dr. Jack Whitcher and Marilyn Whitcher at thememorial service for the late Dr. Steven Kramer, with Dr. Kramer’s daughter, Susan.

Bernard A. Newcomb and Gerry Marshall at theAmerican Foundation for the Blind awards dinner in New York City. Bernie was the recipient for 2006 of TheHelen Keller Personal Achievement Award. Dr. Creig Hoytmade the introduction with “An Ode to Bernie.”

Marion Faymonville, Dr. Stephen McLeod, Dr. JacqueDuncan, Pearl Kimura, and Dr. Creig Hoyt at the 2006Helen Keller Achievement Awards.

Dinner hosted by Pearl Kimura tocelebrate the annual Hearst lecture,this year given by Dr. Shigeaki Ohno, on the tenthanniversary of his Hearst International Fellowship at UCSFOphthalmology. Dr. Ohno traveled to the U.S. from Sapporo,Japan, and is pictured with Catherine A. Pyke, programofficer of the William Randolph Hearst Foundations.

Catherine Cunningham and Flora Komes at That ManMay See’s April 2006 UCSF Ophthalmology Open House.

Jeff Bleich with father-in-law David Pratt and Mellon’sDavid Glotzer at the Open House.

Betty Tight with Charles Homer and Ted Tight duringthe celebration at UCSF Ophthalmology.

Marilynn and John Fulton join Dr. Shiu Kwok and Dr. Sam Aronson for a tour of the new Proctor Foundationoffices and lab with Dr. Todd Margolis at the Open House.

Mort and Frannie Fleishhacker at the UCSFOphthalmology Open House. Frannie is on the board andexecutive committee of That Man May See.

Nina Srejovic with husband, John de Benedetti , boardmember of That Man May See, talk with Dr. David Hwangduring the UCSF Ophthalmology festivities.

Dr. Emma Dong and husband, Dr. Harry Chong, at thereception. Emma was a resident at UCSF Ophthalmology in 1946.

Michael Cookson with Dr. Stacy Mettier at the OpenHouse, where Dr. Mettier was honored for his manycontributions to That Man May See and UCSF Ophthalmology.

Jose Perez, Linda Lee, David Collins, and ChristianFahlen and his daughter, Olive Fahlen, welcome visitors to the lab of Dr. Joan O’Brien, where researchers studyretinoblastoma.

Dr. Jack Whitcher greets Kathleen Maher and MargoWilhite at the Open House and tour of the ProctorFoundation.

Dr. Stacy Mettier with Dr. Jack Hetherington at theUCSF Ophthalmology reception.

That Man May See board chair Marilyn Pratt welcomesguests to the Open House, where laboratories were on viewand faculty gladly shared their latest research withmembers of the Chairman’s Forum and special guests.

Bee Mullen and Dr. Raymond Mullen at the Open House.

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University of California

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10 Koret WayRoom K-301San Francisco, CA 94143-0730

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