SUNY Annual Report 2019

State-of-the-Art Care Uses Technology While Advancing Clinical Training

Electroretinogram Machine Helps Identify Candidates for Gene Therapy

color vision or poor night vision.” She adds that with the advent of gene therapy for inherited eye diseases, a proper diagnosis can lead to improved quality of life for patients and their families. “Genetic counseling can only occur after a correct diagnosis has been achieved; families want to know if their children will be affected. The ERG is crucial.” Residents in the College’s ocular disease program have the unique opportunity to use the ERG spending 13 weeks testing patients, learning the applications of the test and how to interpret the findings. ERG has been around for more than 60 years, but there aren’t many facilities equipped with the technology. In fact, the University Eye Center receives many referrals from optometrists and ophthalmologists whose patients have unusual retinal findings and symptoms. The College’s ERG is housed in the Advanced Care Service, and it’s used to help patients all over the region.

Trained eye care professionals are the first line of defense when patients present with vision problems. But sometimes, they need a little help. At SUNY College of Optometry, that often means turning to the VERIS electroretinogram (ERG) machine. An ERG uses electroretinography, which measures the electrical response of the light-sensitive cells in the eyes, to determine if a patient has an inherited eye disease so that their doctor can put them on the correct path to treatment. “The ERG aids in the diagnosis of diseases and status of progressive diseases. For example, a patient who presents with a symptom of night blindness can either need stronger glasses, or have a disease called congenital stationary night blindness, or a disease called retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive disease that can lead to blindness,” says Dr. Sherry J. Bass, distinguished teaching professor at the College. “We have diagnosed patients who have lived their entire lives never knowing why they have poor vision, poor

Retina Clinic Detects Rare Gene Mutation in Patient with Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic testing can be like finding a needle in a haystack. But when you find that one patient whom you can help – the results are potentially life-changing. Ezrick was diagnosed with Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) at the age of five. In this inherited retinal disease (IRD), an electroretinogram reveals that the rods and cones of the eye are either degenerated or not functioning properly. That, combined with poor vision and nystagmus (rapid involuntary eye movement), signal LCA. The patient is one of an estimated 3,000 people in the United States with this disease. He began coming to the UEC for his care in 2002, but until now, there was no way to treat his symptoms, which include poor day vision, no night vision and nystagmus. “My patient is one of the estimated 250 people in the U.S. with LCA who tested positive for RPE65. This was an amazing result!” says Dr. Sherry Bass. “The patient was thrilled because now the wheels are in motion to determine if he is eligible for the treatment. He will be evaluated and if deemed eligible, he will be treated at one of only 10 treatment centers in the United States.”

22 SUNY Optometry