Division of Ophthalmology
During the last decade, the UCMG Division of Ophthalmology has evolved into an internationally recognized program in pediatric ophthalmology. The Division's physicians and research scientists have pioneered many important procedures, providing children around the country with outstanding vision care.
Services include consultations and problem management involving pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology, vitreoretinal diseases, ocular oncology, genetic eye diseases and surgery. Our UCMG physicians specialize in:
- cataracts - an opacity of the lens, its capsule or both; severe visual impairment can result
- corneal resurfacing and transplantation
- diseases of the retina, including retinal detachment
- glaucoma - a group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure, resulting in atrophy of the optic nerve and, often, blindness
- inherited eye diseases
- intraocular tumors
- nystagmus - constant, involuntary, cyclical movement of the eyeball
- retinoblastoma - a malignant growth in the retina that may be hereditary and can cause blindness
- retinopathy of prematurity
- trauma-related impairments
- unexplained loss of vision
UCMG physicians in the Divison of Ophthalmology also see patients at USC-Doheny Eye Institute and in an office in Pasadena.
Description of Programs and Services
- Clinical Innovations
Division physicians have introduced several clinical innovations to help diagnose and treat children, including: developing a clinical test for detecting amblyopia, using a prism during fixation preference testing to detect the condition; removal of congenital cataracts with a sophisticated microinstrument; using visual evoked potential to test vision in infants; and creating a new surgical procedure for vertical misalignment of the eyes, where the superior oblique tendon dysfunctions. We also have introduced new techniques for the evaluation and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
- Developmental Problems
UCMG ophthalmologists in the Division care for patients with a variety of developmental problems, including optic nerve hypoplasia - an abnormality of the optic nerve that causes visual loss to variable degrees. During the past ten years, the incidence of optic nerve hypoplasia has reached epidemic proportions and today, is thought to be the leading congenital cause of visual loss in this country.
- Experimental Therapeutics
Although retinoblastoma is a relatively rare disease, UCMG physicians in the Division care for a large population of children with these tumors. The Division employs two standard treatments for retinoblastoma: enucleation (removing the entire eyeball) for late stage, large tumors or systemic chemotherapy plus laser treatment for tumors in which the eye can be salvaged. Currently, Division specialists are performing a pioneering technique to treat these children. They are using compounds that are attracted directly to tumor tissue in conjunction with lasers to actually treat the tumors. In addition, Division scientists are designing a new laser therapy that uses a different type of laser to cause thermal damage in tumors.
- Mark S. Borchert, M.D., Division Head
- Angela N. Buffenn, M.D., MPH
- Morris E. Guthrie, M.D.
- Talia Kolin, M.D.
- Thomas C. Lee, M.D.
- A. Linn Murphree, M.D.
- Jonathan C. Song, M.D.
- Kristina Tarczy-Hornoch, M.D.
- Nicolas Uzcategui, M.D.
HOW TO CONTACT US
The Division of Ophthalmology welcomes your inquiries. To contact us you can:
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| Call the Division directly at: | (323) 669-2347 | |
Write to us at: |
Division of Ophthalmology Childrens Hospital Los Angeles 4650 Sunset Blvd., #88 Los Angeles, CA 90027-6062 |
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