Myopia and eye growth regulation; animal models for mechanisms underlying emmetropization and myopia; etiology of human myopia and anisometropia; optical, biological, and pharmacological perspective
Professor Wildsoet's current research focuses primarily on myopia, including both animal (chick)-based and human-based research funded by a NIH R01 grant. Both branches are appropriate for the training of BCSDP candidates who, as clinician-scientist trainees, will benefit from the translational nature of this research. Given the sharp rise in the prevalence of myopia in recent years (reaching over 90% in some Asian University student populations), and the associated high risk of blinding complications accompanying high myopia, it is now viewed as a significant public health issue around the world. For the clinician-scientist, myopia offers many opportunities for funded research with direct clinical implications. Dr. Wildsoet's myopia lab currently includes five graduate students, one of whom is an overseas-trained optometrist and another who is a US-trained OD. Trainees will have access to a variety of modern biology techniques and statistical analysis tools. Depending on the project assigned, trainees may become involved in the design of clinical trials for the testing of new treatment options and so be exposed to a statistical discipline benefiting their research careers.
