Newswise — Twenty years ago corneal research and treatments looked very different. Contact lens or glasses were the norm and LASIK was only a dream. Large refractive errors were actually treated by using a procedure that froze, lathed and then sutured a piece of corneal tissue into the eye. There was no database to track corneal transplants and outcomes; most reports looked at small series within a year's follow-up. People with debilitating conditions, such as Fuch's dystrophy, keratoconus, and other ocular medical challenges, faced a full-thickness transplant with an arduous recovery.
Flash forward to 2008. After 80 clinical studies, more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and hundreds of training programs, the Cornea Research Foundation of America is seeing the results of its mission to give people back the use of their eyes through its patients living all over the United States.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Foundation in 2008, CRFA Founder Francis Price, M.D. and Executive Director Marianne Price recently reflected on the impact of the research, innovations, patient services and education provided. While the Prices acknowledge the work they have done has had significant influence, they look for many more breakthroughs.
"We envision a future where many corneal problems will be detected early and nipped in the bud before they can cause debilitating vision loss, "says Marianne Price. "To help make that a reality we're trying to figure out what causes some of the more common corneal problems, such as Fuchs dystrophy and keratoconus and we're working to find treatments that address the underlying cause, not just treat the symptoms, so patients with these conditions will no longer get to the point where they need a cornea transplant."
"We have participated in clinical research studies that have helped provide more comfortable sight for those born without irises or whose irises have been damaged," says Francis Price, M.D. "And we've brought new hope for those whose sight is failing through cataracts, glaucoma, or other challenging vision problems. The past 20 years have been a long and exciting journey and my dreams for what the Foundation could accomplish have become more real with each passing year."
Top 20 Innovations and AccomplishmentsThe mission of the Foundation has four pillars captured in the acronym, RISE. The CRFA has made an impact in each mission area during its 20 year history.
R- ResearchI - InnovationS - Service to humanityE " Education
Research"¢ The foundation established and maintains the largest single center cornea transplant database in the world."¢ Over two decades, the Foundation conducted more than 80 clinical research studies related to corneal transplants, glaucoma, iris implants, keratoconus, Fuch's dystrophy and refractive treatments. The Foundation undertakes approximately 12 studies per year, which are externally sponsored or internally initiated by Dr. Price's passion for innovation."¢ The Foundation has over 100 peer-reviewed publications to its credit, including full thickness corneal transplants, laser-assisted transplants, new small incision transplants, special techniques and devices for high-risk cataract patients, artificial iris implants, lenses to correct extreme near-sightedness and laser refractive surgery. "¢ CRFA helped to pioneer and perfect an innovative suture-less transplant procedure called DSEK (small incision transplant), which is less invasive than a traditional, full thickness transplant, reduces complications, and has a faster visual recovery. In large part due to the Foundation's dissemination of knowledge and its teaching efforts, the Eye Bank Association of America reported a tenfold increase in the number of DSEK grafts from 1,400 in 2005 (the first year it tracked endothelial keratoplasty) to over 14,000 in 2007.
Innovations"¢ Introduction of LASIK to Indiana and contributions to continually improve LASIK outcomes."¢ In 1991, the Foundation was the first site in Indiana approved to test a new excimer laser."¢ In 1996 a LASIK study of 450 patients was funded by CRFA and the data submitted to the FDA to determine the safety of performing LASIK on both eyes at the same time."¢ The Foundation received a Social Enterprise Award from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2007 for its entrepreneurial attributes as a nonprofit.
Patient Service"¢ The Foundation is participating in a U.S. clinical trial to evaluate an artificial iris implant. During the trial, the Foundation enrolled a five year old boy, who was the youngest child ever to receive the implant in Indiana. He and his family traveled from New York City to have the surgery with Dr. Price in Indianapolis."¢ A patient from Papua, New Guinea received a pro-bono, life-transforming surgery to restore vision in his remaining eye."¢ Successful performance of the first transplants in the world utilizing a laser to create interlocking incisions."¢ Implantation of the first slow-release drug implant designed to help prevent rejection of cornea transplants and training of other sites around the world."¢ Among the first in the world to participate in U.S. clinical trials of a new surgical technique for glaucoma treatment using a collagen inlay to promote fluid drainage."¢ Dr. Price performed DSEK transplant surgeries in India and Nepal during a trip to Asia.
Education"¢ In 1992 the Foundation created, organized and presented the first annual education seminar for optometrists, which continues today in Indiana and the Midwest."¢ The first year-long training of ophthalmology fellows in cornea and refractive surgical was offered in 1989, and remains today, for a total of 27 fellowships to date."¢ The first interactive computer program for patient education and informed consent in refractive surgery was developed by the Foundation."¢ Successful intensive two-day medical education courses in EK (endothelial keratoplasty) technique have been offered to more than 450 surgeons, representing 47 U.S. states and 19 foreign countries, and many major universities, since 2002. "¢ Developed an online DSEK course, including surgical videos, for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "¢ Created a DSEK textbook with DVD which will be published in March 2009. It is the first book on the new small incision transplants.
Expert Source: Dr. Marianne Price, executive director of the Cornea Research Foundation of America. Dr. Price is a sought after speaker and published author, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, and Ophthalmic Women Leaders. Dr. Price holds a bachelor's degree in engineering science from the University of Notre Dame and both an MBA in finance and a doctorate in medical and molecular genetics from Indiana University.
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