Dr. Mark Harooni's research focuses on the development of a variety of improved treatments for retinal disorders. These treatments include enzymatic vitreolysis as an alternative to conventional vitrectomy, the development of a vitreous substitute, and new approaches to treating arterial and venous occlusions of the retina. Visual Psychophysics Ivan Bodis-Wollner, MD, DSc, who is board certified in both neurology and ophthalmology, is currently conducting studies looking at eye movements and visual stability impairment in neurodegenerative disorders. Quick, darting eye movements, called saccades, and blinks are executed constantly when one is awake. While much has been recently learned concerning how frontal and parietal cortical mechanisms ensure visual stability and continuity associated with saccades and blinks, the role of the occipital cortex remains an enigma.
Recent data suggest occipital participation during saccades and blinks even without visual input.
Although different, these techniques converge to determine intrinsic occipital neuronal mechanisms. Saccadic eye movement and blink-related occipital responses are compared to the effect of visual stimulation without eye movement. Furthermore the potential differential processing of so-called isoluminant color and luminance contrast stimuli will be evaluated during saccades and blinks. Potentially they may contribute to clinical neurology in neurodegenerative disorders in which saccades and visual perception suffer, and to research and diagnosis in schizophrenia. Dr. Frank Scalia's main appointment is in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.