Quantitative topographic curvature maps of the posterior eye utilizing optical coherence tomography.

Dr. McNabb is an engineer by training with a research focus on combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and robots for use in the ophthalmology clinic. He recently joined the Department of Ophthalmology faculty after post-doctoral training and serving as a lead Research Scientist under Dr. Anthony Kuo at the Duke Eye Center.

He enjoys working closely with clinicians to combine technology and medicine. He is the principal investigator on an NIH R21 grant for “Assistive Robotically Aligning OCT and Laser Photocoagulation Therapy of the Retinal Periphery” in collaboration with Dr. Cynthia Toth. This grant will develop robotically aligned OCT to locate suspected retinal breaks in a patient’s peripheral retina before they can become vision threating detachments. 

McNabb earned his B.S. from North Carolina State University in Electrical Engineering and completed his doctoral training at Duke University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the mentorship of Prof. Joseph Izatt.

Dr. Gospe joined Duke Ophthalmology on August 1, 2017 following his neuro-ophthalmology fellowship training at Duke. His research interests center on developing novel genetic mouse models of severe mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and other retinal neurons in order to recapitulate the RGC degeneration seen in human optic neuropathies and the poorly understood pigmentary retinopathy that may accompany these diseases.

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of our cells, efficiently generating energy through oxidative metabolism. When mitochondria function improperly, cells are deprived of needed energy and are subjected to the adverse effects of reactive oxygen species. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important cause of vision loss and is believed to play a mechanistic role in a number of optic neuropathies, most notably in primary mitochondrial optic neuropathies like Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and dominant optic atrophy, but also secondarily in more common diseases like optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, and glaucoma. Currently there are no pharmacotherapies for mitochondrial optic neuropathies that are of more than marginal clinical benefit to affected patients.

Dr. Gospe employs biochemical, histologic, and electrophysiological approaches to characterize the metabolic perturbations and aberrant signaling pathways leading to degeneration of retinal neurons in the face of reduced oxidative metabolism. The mutant mouse lines he is developing may serve as useful preclinical models to identify and validate therapeutic targets for future human trials. Ultimately, the hope is that strategies to modulate mitochondrial physiology may be neuroprotective not only in primary mitochondrial optic neuropathies but also in other optic neuropathies causing significant visual morbidity in patients.

Dr. Charlene James is an optometrist who works in the comprehensive clinic at Duke Eye Center. In her practice she enjoys providing comprehensive eye care which includes screening for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. She also provides post-operative care for those undergoing cataract surgery and contact lens evaluations.

She is passionate about promoting eye health and educating her patients on the importance of taking care of their eyes and in turn their overall health.

Dr. James enjoys sharing information on how improving overall health will influence and keep the visual system healthy.She has always been interested in the healthcare field and decided to become an optometrist after realizing the impact we can have on the lives of our patients through improving vision. 

I am interested in a medical treatment alternative for conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. Along with Dr. Carol Karp, I have developed a successful medical treatment regimen for these patients. I would like to continue using our medical treatment regimen and further establish the optimum dosing and frequency for eradicating this disease.

Anthony Kuo, MD is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. He is a clinician-scientist with an active clinical practice in cornea and refractive surgery and an active laboratory program developing and translating high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) technologies for ophthalmic use.

With collaborators at Duke, he is also involved in the development and translation of intra-surgical OCT technologies. His research has been sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Research to Prevent Blindness, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Coulter Foundation among others.