News
Eye disease links potential biomarker to Alzheimer’s disease found in the retina
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found a potential link between putative retinal gliosis and Alzheimer’s disease in a recently published study. The study, published in the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science journal, demonstrates that putative retinal gliosis could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease-related neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response within the brain or spinal cord.
Read moreAlumni Spotlight: Ann Wonderling, OD, FCOVD
by Nathan Anderson
Ann Wonderling, OD, FCOVD, graduated from the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) in 2003 and completed a pediatric residency at the School one year later. After that, she began a career at the Family Vision Center in La Crosse, WI, where she practices today. A diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, she is board-certified in vision development/vision therapy and specializes in vision therapy. Wonderling is also a leader in her state optometric association and has served as president and vice-president of the Wisconsin Optometric Association (WOA).
Read moreVision science students awarded competitive Ezell fellowships
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation awarded two Vision Science Graduate Program doctoral students at the UAB School of Optometry competitive Ezell fellowships. Sourav Datta received the American Academy of Optometry Centennial Ezell Fellowship. Mahmoud KhalafAllah, MD, MSc, received the Meta Realty Labs Ezell Fellowship, marking his second Ezell win—the maximum possible.
Read moreUAB Eye Care extends perks to UAB employees and students
by Nathan Anderson
UAB Eye Care, the UAB School of Optometry's clinical arm, offers perks including discounts to all UAB employees and students.
Read moreWeise leads NIH pediatric eye research organization
by Satina Richardson
Katherine K. Weise, OD, MBA, FAAO, UAB School of Optometry professor and Pediatric Optometry Service director at UAB Eye Care, is the national network co-chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). She will serve a five-year term as one of the few optometrists to head the research organization of 300 optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Read moreThompson receives Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award
by Nathan Anderson
Sommer Thompson received the UAB School of Optometry’s Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award for her efforts at the School, which have positively impacted faculty, staff, patients and students through her role as the senior director of development. The Dean’s Outstanding Staff award is selected by Dean Kelly Nichols each year.
Read moreGordon selected as Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Award recipient
by Nathan Anderson
The Dean’s Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes exemplary leadership and service. During the 2024 Doctoral Convocation and Hooding Ceremony, the award was presented to Adam Gordon, OD, MPH, FAAO, professor and chair for the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.
Read moreNovel contact lenses enhance high school athlete’s vision
by Nathan Anderson
Born with albinism, Daymion Winfrey has limited vision, plus his eyes are sensitive to light since the condition causes a lack of melanin in his iris which prevents his eyes from blocking out light. However, the multi-sport athlete has not let these challenges limit his successes. Wearing special light-blocking contact lenses, he reached the longtime goal of becoming a state wrestling champion.
Read moreFirst international cohort graduates from UAB’s Advanced International Optometry Degree Program
The first cohort of the Advanced International Optometry Degree Program is graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry this May. This program is a new offering in Optometry that provides international students who hold an optometry degree from an international university with the certification they need to practice optometry in the United States.
Read moreNichols receive esteemed award
by Satina Richardson
The Ohio State University College of Optometry awarded Drs. Kelly and Jason Nichols the prestigious Fry Medal in Physiological Optics. The Fry Medal is awarded to individuals who have truly distinguished themselves with long and exemplary records of vision research only when notable recipients are identified. They delivered the Westheimer Endowed Lecture as part of the honor.
Read moreBeaty joins optometry faculty
by Nathan Anderson
Steve Beaty, MD, has joined the UAB School of Optometry’s (UABSO) faculty as the School’s first volunteer ophthalmology professor teaching the Resident and Clinical Management courses, while providing clinical consultations at UAB Eye Care, UABSO’s clinical arm.
Read moreGift establishes student scholarships to help improve health care in Wiregrass area
Students from the Wiregrass area of southeast Alabama will benefit from a generous recent gift of $2.3 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham from longtime supporters Marnix E. Heersink, M.D., and Mary Heersink. The gift will establish three endowed scholarships supporting health professions, optometry and pre-optometry students.
Read moreStudent volunteers in Jamaica during spring break with father to change lives
by Satina Richardson
Max McCloy worked alongside his father during spring break to provide needed eye and vision care in Jamaica. Douglas McCloy, OD, has provided sustainable missional eye and vision care there for more than two decades, but this was the first time the two worked together since Max began optometry school.
Read moreKim receives prestigious optometry student award
Alice Kim, class of 2025, received the 2024 Best Practices award from CooperVision. The award enables standout third-year optometry students to learn directly from the best of the best in the profession by participating in the annual Best Practices educational summit.
Read moreProtect your eyes during the solar eclipse
by Nathan Anderson
The moon will briefly block out the sun, causing a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th, 2024. Terri Call, OD, associate professor, warns that unprotected viewing of the solar eclipse can damage your eyes.
Read moreALG6 acts as a modifier gene in the inherited genetic eye disease retinitis pigmentosa 59
Modifier genes add complexity to precision medicine. A modifier gene is one that has genetic variants such as single nucleotide changes that differ from the most common sequence in the population. These variants do not cause disease by themselves but can lessen or exacerbate a different genetic disease phenotype by unknown mechanisms.
Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Cooper, OD
Michelle Cooper, OD, graduated cum laude from the UAB School of Optometry in 1994 and began practicing in Greenville, SC. She is currently president of the Southern Educational Congress of Optometry (SECO) and served as president of the Piedmont Optometric Society (POS) and president and secretary-treasurer of the South Carolina Optometric Physician’s Association (SCOPA). Cooper was named South Carolina Young Optometrist of the Year in 2000. In addition to practicing optometry, Cooper teaches electronic medical records to fellow doctors and staff throughout the country.
Read moreMann appointed AOSA executive council treasurer
by Nathan Anderson
Will Mann, class of 2025, has been elected treasurer of the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Executive Council. His appointment marks the third year a UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) student has held one of only four National AOSA Executive Council positions.
Read more50 years of CEC: Dr. Mark Ortiz
Community Eye Care (CEC) is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing vision screenings and comprehensive eyecare to communities. This year, the UAB School of Optometry (UABSO) is recognizing those who have helped CEC provide vision services to underserved and underrepresented communities as faculty, staff or as a student. With this in mind, meet former resident Mark Ortiz, OD.
Read moreUAB Eye Care finds success at 1917 Clinic
by Nathan Anderson
Since UAB Eye Care’s 1917 Clinic location opened in 2022, 250 patients have received care. The success of this external location has paved the way for growth that will allow a greater number of patients to be seen there in the future.
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