F Y EYE - The Official Newsletter of SUNY State College of Optometry
SUNY State College of Optometry
Issue 21 October 2009
FR O M   T H E   P R E S I D E N T

President's Letter 

 
Dr. David HeathOver the next couple of weeks, we will be distributing the first annual report of the College and its affiliated foundation, the Optometric Center of New York.  The publication of the report entitled "2009 State of the College" is a further expansion of our efforts to communicate with you, our College family, and the greater New York community about the state of the College, the impact of our programs, and our progress toward achieving our strategic goals.  Over 4,000 copies of the "2009 State of the College" report will be distributed and an electronic version will be available for download on our website.  The publication of the report also reflects our enhanced public relations effort to increase the visibility of our efforts, and incorporates our new look within its design.
 
We hope you will enjoy the "2009 State of the College" report and that it provides you with valuable information regarding our achievements during the 2008/2009 academic year. 
 
David A. Heath, O.D., Ed.M.
President 
 
 M A I N   F E A T U R E
SUNY State College of Optometry has a new "LOOK"! 
 
New SUNY Optometry LogoWe are pleased to announce a new look for the SUNY State College of Optometry.  In support of our strategic plan, "A Shared Vision", the re-branding of the College is a part of significant public relations and marketing initiative which will communicate renewed energy, leadership and strategic direction.  Over the past couple of decades, the College's "look" has been modified by programs and/or departments creating a fragmented image of the institution.  The new logo is composed of three rings reflecting the College's missions of education, patient care and research.  While the logo will remain constant in all communications, particular emphasis will be achieved through the creative use of color.  Thus, the College will continue to use blue, reflecting the State University of New York, while the University Eye Center will use red and research will use gold. 
 
Ms. Ann Warwick, Vice President for Institutional Development, worked closely with the College's advertising firm, DCF, to effect this change.  Ms Warwick indicated that "we hope this effort will create a unified image of the College and help to facilitate an era of growth in education, research and patient care."  
 
H I G H L I G H T S 
SUNY Optometry Holds 8th Annual Envision Weekend 
 
Class of 1989Envision, the College's annual three-day continuing education program, established new heights over the weekend of October 24th.  According to Matthew Platarote, Director of Continuing Education, enrollment increased by more than 25% from last year.  With over 500 optometrists in attendance, this was the largest Envision program in its history.
 
During Envision weekend, more than 200 alumni and guests attended the annual Alumni Reception which was held on Saturday evening at Havana Central, a Cuban restaurant on W. 46th Street in Manhattan. Class of 1984
Class of 1979 
 
DI D   Y O U   K N O W ?
  • The United States spends 16% of GDP on health care.  This is the highest among the 29 countries that comprise the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.  (OECD Health Data 2009)

  • The United States spends $7,290 per capita on health care.  This is nearly 2.5 times more than the average of OECD countries.  (OECD Health Data 2009)

  • In spite of spending more per capita on health care than any other country, the United States' life expectancy at birth is 78.1 years; slightly lower than an average 79 years among other OECD countries.  (OECD Health Data 2009)
M I L E S T O N E S
Dr. Sanford and Clare Levy Scholarship Awarded to SUNY Students 
 
 
Kelly Chajka, Jessica Fulmer, President Heath, Kimberly RosatiKelly Chajka, Class of 2011, Camillus, New York. Kelly graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Brain and Cognitive Sense and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rochester. 
 
Jessica Fulmer, Class of 2011, Liverpool, New York.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from SUNY Binghamton. She attended SUNY under the 3-4 affiliation program.
 
Kimberly Rosati, Class of 2012, Rome, New York.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology from SUNY Binghamton. She attended SUNY under the 3-4 affiliation program.
 
Andrew Larson, Class of 2013, Syracuse, New York. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Lemoyne College.
 
The scholarship, managed and distributed by the Central New York Community Trust, was established about 10 years ago to provide the opportunity of top students from Oneida, Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cortland, Chenango and Cayuga counties, and interested in optometry, to attend SUNY State College of Optometry.  Dr. Sanford Levy established the scholarship fund to encourage students from these upstate counties and who are enrolled in SUNY State College of Optometry to return to Upstate New York upon graduation to practice.  Each student receives $5,000 from the scholarship fund.
 
  
President David A. Heath Receives China's West Lake Friendship Award
 
 
Dr. Heath receives West Lake AwardOn Saturday, September 26, President Heath received the "West Lake Friendship Award" from Zheijiang Province's Deputy Governor Chen.  The award, established in 1997, honors those foreign professionals who have made outstanding contributions to Zheijiang Province through education, science and technology, and economics.  Dr. Heath was asked to speak on behalf of this year's honorees.  He shared that "The West Lake Friendship Award, created in 1997, is important, not simply because it recognizes the efforts and contributions of foreign experts, but because it serves as a statement of what is important to Zheijiang and reflects the commitment of Government leaders to the long-term vitality of the Province and to globalization.  The West Lake Award is the highest award given to foreign individuals by the provincial government of Zhejiang.  
 
SUNY Welcomes Visiting Professors from Wenzhou Medical College
 
Dr. Marinoff, Dr. Jie, Ms. Cohen, Dr. Cohen, Dr. Xudong, Dr. Li, Dr. HeibergerAs part of a cooperative project between SUNY College of Optometry and Wenzhou Medical College (China), a team of low vision specialists from Wenzhou's School of Optometry and Ophthalmology are spending five weeks at the College and its University Eye Center to observe, plan and discuss the development of a Center of Excellence in Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation in Wenzhou.
 
Dr. Rebecca Marinoff and Ms. Nancy Cohen (project consultant) are working with the Wenzhou team to develop curricula for the training of both practitioners and ancillary personnel so as to better recognize, examine, treat and rehabilitate low vision patients.  The Wenzhou staff will become trainers for other low vision programs in China and the new Center will be a model for comprehensive care for the partially-sighted in China.
 
This three-year project is partially funded through a grant from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind.  Dr. Michael Heiberger is the project director and Drs. Richard Soden, William O'Connell and Jay Cohen have worked closely with the Wenzhou team.
 
 
SUNY Invited to speak at Parent-Teachers Group Educational Forum at PS 152 

Dr. Steve Larson and Ms. Victoria Vitug were invited to attend the Parent-Teachers Group Educational Forum at PS 152.  The forum provided an understanding of the role of vision in learning and everyday living and how it impacts children.  Dr. Larson, a licensed OD and Psy.D., was the guest speaker.  His talk explained about vision, the various vision problems and how to detect problems related to vision and learning.  Each attendee received a package that included SUNY materials, Q & A handout and information on scheduling appointments.  The forum was well attended.  School officials asked for a similar presentation be given at other parent-teachers forums.
R E S E A R C H
Publications
 
Wang, Z., Yang, H., Zhang, F., Pan, Z., Capo-Aponte, J., Reinach, P.S.  "Dependence of EGF-induced increases in corneal epithelial proliferation and migration on GSK-3 inactivation."  Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2009 Oct;50(10):4828-35.
 
Akinci, M.A., Turner, H., Taveras, M., Barash, A, Wang, Z., Reinach, P., Wolosin, J.M.  "Molecular profiling of conjunctival epithelial side-population stem cells: atypical cell surface markers and sources of a slow-cycling phenotype."  Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2009 Sept;50(9):4162-72.
 
Posters
 
Sherstinsky, M., Stanberry, A. "Young, blind and Illegal:  An unusual outcome of juvenile-onset glaucoma in an undocumented person."  Accepted for presentation at the 137th annual American Public Health Association Meeting, November 7-11, 2009, Philadelphia, PA.
 
 
Clinical Research Collaboration 
 
One of the primary mission of our college is scientific research and expanding knowledge in vision and eye care.  While the college's basic research efforts are well represented with grants, publications and major presentations, the college is also making significant contributions in clinical research, often involving patient-based research.  A review of the IRB (Institutional Review Board) approved human subject research shows 9 of 30 current approved projects are headed by an investigator who is also an O.D. and a member of the Department of Clinical Sciences.  In addition, 14 O.D.s from the Department of Clinical Sciences are also study investigators, including some involved in more that one project.  Below is a list of these projects (lead or principal investigator in parentheses).
  • Molecular genetics of peripapillary pigmentary degenerations (Bass, Sherman)
  • Age and caucasian, hispanic and african americans to establish a normataive database using the 3D Optical tomographer OCT-1000 Mark II (Sherman, Madonna, Wong, Horn)
  • Rate of intro-ocular pressure change after intravitreal  injection of Lucentis (Krumholz)
  • Provision of emergency eyecare in a large urban setting:  Teaching sight saving first aid to emergency personnel (Dul)
  • ATS13  An observational study of optical correction for strabismic amblyopia in children 3 to<7 years old (Duckman, Vricella)
  • A study to evaluate stopping spectacle safety (Duckman, Vricella)
  • Cognitive distortions as barriers to medication adherence in glaucoma (Schwartz, Nehmad)
  • Topcon 3D OCT-1000 optical coherence tomography system for ETDRS grid measurement of retinal thickness:  Precision and agreement study (Sherman, Madonna)
  • Quantifying effects of retinal luminance and retinal sensitivity on various forms of visual field testing (Dul, Hot, Kapoor)
  • Evaluation of developmental eye movement test in patient right to left reading patterns (Rutner)
  • A preliminary dual institutional evaluation of optometric clinical training (Nehmad, Appel)
  • An age stratified data collection study in adult males and females, ages 18 and above, to establish a normative database using the 3D optical coherence tomographer OCT-1000 Mark II (Sherman, Madonna, Wong, Horn, Boneta)
  • Effect of dry eye treatment on computer vision syndrome (Rosenfield, Portello)
  • Quantifying the effects of cataracts on various forms of visual field testing before and after surgery (Dul, Madonna, Hot)
  • Reliability and depth calibration during space perception (Backus, Llarena et al)
  • Convergence insufficiency treatment trial reading study (CITT-RS) (Cooper, Steiner, Ritter, Larsen)
  • Amblyopia treatment study 15 - Increasing patching for amblyopia (Duckman, Vricella)
  • Effect of age on corneal shape (Rosenfield, Portello)
  • Spectral Domain OCT imaging of the retina in patients with auto-immune disease (Sherman, Madonna)
  • Is stereovision necessary for developing accurate 3-D perception from monocular cues in child (Zaidi, Steiner)
  • Is stereovision necessary for developing accurate 3_D perception from monocular cues in adults (Zaidi, Steiner
Correction
 
In the September 2009 issue of FY EYE, under Research, we incorrectly placed the order of the authors for the last publication.  It should read as follows:
 
Craig, S., Kapoor, N., Ciuffreda, K., Suchoff, I., Han, M. E., and Rutner, D. 
P E R S O N N E L
In Memoriam 
 
 
Dr. Dean YagerDean Yager, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Vision Science at the College, died last week after a long illness.  A graduate of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Ph.D. in  Experimental Psychology,  Dr. Yager was a Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences and the Optical Society of America.  He joined the College faculty in 1974, and served as Dean and Chair of the Graduate Program in Vision Science.
 
He was the recipient of numerous grants, among them a National Eye Institute award to explore the effects of typefaces and text presentation methods on reading. The aim of this research project, he noted, was to provide guidance to low vision patients in the selection of reading methods.
 
The Dean Yager Award for best published research paper by a graduate student is awarded annually at the Scholars Dinner. 

___________________
 
*The College would like to remind everyone that all job openings are posted on the College website --http://www.sunyopt.edu/HR/jobs.shtml.
 
Copyright 2009, SUNY State College of Optometry, All rights reserved.
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