Ophthalmology Research Laboratory
The goals of this laboratory are to study the mechanisms and treatment of ophthalmic diseases in domestic animals.
Lab Members
Brian Gilger, Principal Investigator,
Head of Laboratory
Tammy Miller-Michau, Principal Investigator
Alison Clode, Principal Investigator
Beth Salmon, Laboratory Supervisor
Research
Our laboratory has three main areas of ongoing research:
Ocular inflammation and immunology
- Diseases studied include uveitis, glaucoma, keratitis, and dry eye
- Current projects include the study of chronic recurrent inflammation in the eye, specifically in eyes with naturally occurring models of uveitis, such as equine recurrent uveitis
- Other projects include studies of infectious and immune-mediated keratitis, specifically in horses, and treatment or prevention of lens capsular fibrosis
- In vitro and in vivo models of ocular disease are validated in our laboratory
Sustained Ocular Drug Delivery
Funded projects include the development and evaluation of sustained ocular drug delivery devices for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases of the eyes. Several medications have been evaluated and developed for use in horses, included the cyclosporine drug delivery device.
Ocular Imaging
Ocular imaging, including studies involving high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography, are also studied in the laboratory.
Recent Research Presentations
Gilger BC, Moore CP, Narfstrom K, Liu J, Lawson C, Cacek T, Anglade E, Velagaleti P. Preclinical Acute Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of Episcleral LX201 Implants in Rabbits. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2008.
Salmon JH, Douglass L, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2008.
McMullen RJ, Salmon JH, Davidson MG, Gilger BC. Refractive state of the enucleated equine eye after placement of a +30D intraocular lens. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2008.
Douglas L, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Yi NY, Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in horses. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Michau TM, Colitz CMH, Belknap E, Barden CA, Yin C, Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Etiologic testing of deep corneal stromal abscess following penetrating keratoplasty in the horse. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Gift BW, English RV, Nadelstein B, Weigt A, Gilger BC. Opacification and refractive status after phacoemulsification cataract removal and replacement intraocular lens implantation in dogs. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Michau TM, Salmon JH, English RV, Gilger BC. Transforming growth factor β2 in the aqueous humor of normal dogs and dogs with glaucoma. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Bacteria in Eyes with Chronic Recurrent Uveitis from Southeastern United States. Annual Meeting of the ESVO – ECVO – ISVO – SOVI May 30 – June 3, Magazzini del Cotone, Genoa, Italy, May 2007.
JR Sommer, JL Estrada, EB Collins, H Chen, L Luo, KA Howes, J Piedrahita, B Gilger, K Zhang, and RM Petters. Electroretinography and retinal pathology of two lines of ELOVL4 270stmt transgenic pigs. Transgene expression levels correlate with the degree of Stargardt-like Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Ng YF, Chan HHL, Chi PHW, Beale AB, Gilger, BC, Wong F. Retinal origins and non-linear characteristics of the porcine multifocal ERG. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Bacteria in Eyes with Chronic Recurrent Uveitis from Southeastern United States. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Serum cytokine profiles in horses with recurrent uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Recent Publications
Douglass L, Davis JL, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. Vet Pharm Therapeutics (submitted) April 2008.
McMullen RM, Clode AB, Pandiri AR, Malarkey D, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Epibulbar melanoma in a foal. Vet Ophthalmol (In press) February 2008.
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Role of Bacteria in Recurrent Uveitis in Eyes of Horses from Southeastern United States. Am J Vet Res (In press) February 2008.
Yi NY, Davis JL. Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in horses. Vet Ophthalmol (In press) January 2008.
Chu PHW, Chan HHL, Ng Y, Brown B, Siu AW, Gilger BC, Wong F. Porcine global-flash multifocal electroretinogram: possible mechanisms for the glaucomatous changes in luminance-modulated adaptation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2007 (In Press).
Ng YF, Chan HHL, Chu PHW, Beale BA, Gilger BC, Wong F. Retinal Pharmacologically defined components of the normal porcine multifocal ERG. Doc Ophthalmol. 2007; Aug 25; [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 17721791
Strobel BW, Wilkie DA, Gilger BC. Retinal detachment in horses: 40 cases. Veterinary Ophthalmology, 2007;10(6):380-385.
Ollivier FJ, Gilger BC, Barrie K, Kallberg ME, Plummer CE, O’Reilly S, Gelatt KN, Brooks DE. Proteinases of the cornea and preocular tear film. Veterinary Ophthalmology 2007;10(4):199–206
Lee S, Kim H, Wang NS, Bungay PM, Gilger BC, Yaun P, Kim J, Csaky KG, Robinson MR. A pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation of an episcleral cyclosporine implant for potential use in high-risk keratoplasty rejection. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2007;48(5):2023-2029.
Acton AE, Beale AB, Gilger BC, Stoskopf MK. Sustained release cyclosporine therapy for bilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a red wolf (Canis Rufus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2006:37(4): 562–564.
Beale AB, Salmon JB, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Effect of ophthalmic Nd:YAG laser energy on intraocular lenses after posterior capsulotomy in dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2006;9:355-340.
McMullen RJ, Gilger BC. Keratometry, biometry, and prediction of intraocular lens power in the equine eye. Vet Ophthalmol 2006;9:357-360.
Gilger BC, Salmon, Wilkie DA, Cruysberg LP, Kim J, Hayat M, Kim H, Kim S, Yaun P, Lee S, Harrington SM, Murray PR, Edelhauser HF, Csasky KG, Robinson MR. A novel bioerodible deep scleral lamellar cyclosporine implant for uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2006:47:2596-2605
Clode AB, Davis JL, Salmon J, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Aqueous humor concentration of voriconazole after topical and oral administration in horses. Am J Vet Res 2006;67;296-301.
Gilger BC, Michau TM, Salmon J. Immune-mediated keratitis in horses: 19 cases (1998–2004). Vet Ophthalmology 2005; 8(4):233-239.
Gilger BC, Reeves, KA, Salmon J. Ocular parameters related to drug delivery in the canine and equine eye: aqueous and vitreous humor volume and scleral surface area and thickness. Vet Ophthalmol 2005, 8(4):265-270.
Recent and Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications (out of 76)
Douglass L, Davis JL, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. Vet Pharm Therapeutic (Submitted) 2008 (*Gilger corresponding author)
Sommer JR, Estrada JL, Collins EB, Alexander CA, Howes K, Chen H, Chen W, Mir B, Gilger BC, Piedrahita J, Zhang K, Petters RM. Production of ELOVL4 transgenic pigs: A large animal model for Stargardt-like macular degeneration. (In preparation) 2008
McMullen RM, Gilger BC. Â Use of infrared photography in diseases of the anterior segment. Vet Ophthalmol (In press) March 2008. (*Gilger corresponding author)
McMullen RM, Clode AB, Pandiri AR, Malarkey D, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Epibulbar melanoma in a foal. Vet Ophthalmol (In press) February 2008. (*Gilger corresponding author)
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Role of Bacteria in Recurrent Uveitis in Eyes of Horses from Southeastern United States. Â Am J Vet Res (In press) February 2008
Yi NY, Davis JL. Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in horses. Vet Ophthalmol (In press) January 2008. (*Gilger corresponding author)
Chu PHW, Chan HHL, Ng Y, Brown B, Siu AW, Gilger BC, Wong F. Porcine global-flash multifocal electroretinogram: possible mechanisms for the glaucomatous changes in luminance-modulated adaptation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2007 (In Press).
Ng YF, Chan HHL, Chu PHW, Beale BA, Gilger BC, Wong F. Retinal Pharmacologically defined components of the normal porcine multifocal ERG. Doc Ophthalmol. 2007; Aug 25; [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 17721791
Strobel BW, Wilkie DA, Gilger BC. Retinal detachment in horses: 40 cases. Veterinary Ophthalmology, 2007;10(6):380-385. (*Gilger corresponding author)
Ollivier FJ, Gilger BC, Barrie K, Kallberg ME, Plummer CE, O’Reilly S, Gelatt KN, Brooks DE. Proteinases of the cornea and preocular tear film. Veterinary Ophthalmology 2007;10(4):199–206
Lee S, Kim H, Wang NS, Bungay PM, Gilger BC, Yaun P, Kim J, Csaky KG, Robinson MR. A pharmacokinetic and safety evaluation of an episcleral cyclosporine implant for potential use in high-risk keratoplasty rejection. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2007;48(5):2023-2029.
Acton AE, Beale AB, Gilger BC, Stoskopf MK. Sustained release cyclosporine therapy for bilateral keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a red wolf (Canis Rufus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2006:37(4): 562–564.
Beale AB, Salmon JB, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Effect of ophthalmic Nd:YAG laser energy on intraocular lenses after posterior capsulotomy in dogs. Vet Ophthalmol 2006;9:355-340. (*Gilger corresponding author)
McMullen RJ, Gilger BC. Keratometry, biometry, and prediction of intraocular lens power in the equine eye. Vet Ophthalmol 2006;9:357-360. (*Gilger corresponding author)
Gilger BC, Salmon, Wilkie DA, Cruysberg LP, Kim J, Hayat M, Kim H, Kim S, Yaun P, Lee S, Harrington SM, Murray PR, Edelhauser HF, Csasky KG, Robinson MR. A novel bioerodible deep scleral lamellar cyclosporine implant for uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2006:47:2596-2605
Clode AB, Davis JL, Salmon J, Michau TM, Gilger BC. Aqueous humor concentration of voriconazole after topical and oral administration in horses. Am J Vet Res 2006;67;296-301. (*Gilger corresponding author)
Gilger BC, Michau TM, Salmon J. Immune-mediated keratitis in horses: 19 cases (1998–2004). Vet Ophthalmology 2005; 8(4):233-239.
Gilger BC, Reeves, KA, Salmon J. Ocular parameters related to drug delivery in the canine and equine eye: aqueous and vitreous humor volume and scleral surface area and thickness. Vet Ophthalmol 2005, 8(4):265-270.
Stoppini R, Gilger BC, Malarkey DE, et al. Bilateral nodular lymphocytic conjunctivitis in a horse. Vet Ophthalmology 2005; 8(2): 129-134.
Kim H, Csaky KG, Gilger BC, et al. Preclinical evaluation of a novel episcleral cyclosporine implant for ocular graft-versus-host disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2005; 46(2): 655-662.
Davis JL, Gilger BC, Robinson MR. Novel approaches to ocular drug delivery. Curr Opin Mol Ther. 2004;6(2):195-205.
Recent Research Presentations and Abstracts
Gilger BC, Moore CP, Narfstrom K, Liu J, Lawson C,  Cacek T, Anglade E, Velagaleti P. Preclinical Acute Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of Episcleral LX201 Implants in Rabbits. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2008 (In press).
Salmon JH, Douglass L, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2008 (In press).
Douglas L, Salmon JH, Yi NY, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal and subconjuctival injection of rapamycin (sirolimus) in horses. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Yi NY, Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Ocular toxicity and pharmacokinetics of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone in horses. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Michau TM, Colitz CMH, Belknap E, Barden CA, Yin C, Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Etiologic testing of deep corneal stromal abscess following penetrating keratoplasty in the horse. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Gift BW, English RV, Nadelstein B, Weigt A, Gilger BC. Opacification and refractive status after phacoemulsification cataract removal and replacement intraocular lens implantation in dogs. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Michau TM, Salmon JH, English RV, Gilger BC. Transforming growth factor β2 in the aqueous humor of normal dogs and dogs with glaucoma. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, Kona, Hawaii, October 2007.
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Bacteria in Eyes with Chronic Recurrent Uveitis from Southeastern United States. Annual Meeting of the ESVO – ECVO – ISVO – SOVI
May 30 – June 3, Magazzini del Cotone, Genoa, Italy, May 2007.Â
JR Sommer, JL Estrada, EB Collins, H Chen, L Luo, KA Howes, J Piedrahita, B Gilger, K Zhang, and RM Petters. Electroretinography and retinal pathology of two lines of ELOVL4 270stmt transgenic pigs.  Transgene expression levels correlate with the degree of Stargardt-like Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.Â
Ng YF, Chan HHL, Chi PHW, Beale AB, Gilger, BC, Wong F. Retinal origins and non-linear characteristics of the porcine multifocal ERG. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Gilger BC, Salmon JH, Barden CA, Chandler HL, Wendt J, Colitz CMH. Bacteria in Eyes with Chronic Recurrent Uveitis from Southeastern United States. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.
Salmon JH, Gilger BC. Serum cytokine profiles in horses with recurrent uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. Abstract. Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Ft Lauderdale, FL , May 2007.Â
Strobel B, Wilkie DA, Gilger BC. Retinal detachment in horses. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, San Antonio, TX, Nov 2, 2006.
Yuan P, Â Gilger BC, Robinson MR. Grimes GJ, Wilson AL, Potti JG. A Novel Bioerodible Suprachoroidal Cyclosporine Implant for Recurrent Uveitis. AAPSÂ San Antonio TX, October 29-November 2, 2006.