The goal of this project is to train Dr Tawna Roberts to be an independent clinician scientist conducting patient-oriented research. She is currently enrolled in the PhD program in Vision Science at the Indiana University School of Optometry, and during the period of the award will complete this degree and two years of post-doctoral work with Drs Richard Hertle and Anthony Norcia. Dr Roberts will complete a series of studies designed to better understand the visual experience of young infants and children who are either at risk for strabismus or amblyopia, or who are undergoing treatment for these conditions, with the aim of developing more effective manipulations of visual experience to aid in prevention and treatment.

Public Health Relevance

This project will train an experienced clinician, Dr Tawna Roberts, to become an independent clinician scientist working in pediatric eye disease. She will study the interactions between the developing afferent and efferent visual systems and their role in visual experience in the context of amblyopia and strabismus. The long-term goal is to develop targeted manipulations of visual experience that will aid in the prevention and treatment of these conditions. DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Abstract The goal of this project is to train Dr Tawna Roberts to be an independent clinician scientist conducting patient-oriented research. She is currently enrolled in the PhD program in Vision Science at the Indiana University School of Optometry, and during the period of the award will complete this degree and two years of post-doctoral work with Drs Richard Hertle and Anthony Norcia. Dr Roberts will complete a series of studies designed to better understand the visual experience of young infants and children who are either at risk for strabismus or amblyopia, or who are undergoing treatment for these conditions, with the aim of developing more effective manipulations of visual experience to aid in prevention and treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
7K23EY022357-03
Application #
8706318
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1-VSN (10))
Program Officer
Agarwal, Neeraj
Project Start
2012-05-01
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$91,528
Indirect Cost
$6,780
Name
University of Houston
Department
Type
Schools of Optometry/Ophthalmol
DUNS #
036837920
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77204
Roberts, Tawna L; Stevenson, Scott B; Benoit, Julia S et al. (2018) Blur Detection, Depth of Field, and Accommodation in Emmetropic and Hyperopic Children. Optom Vis Sci 95:212-222
Roberts, Tawna L; Manny, Ruth E; Benoit, Julia S et al. (2018) Impact of Cognitive Demand during Sustained Near Tasks in Children and Adults. Optom Vis Sci 95:223-233
Roberts, Tawna L; Kester, Kristi N; Hertle, Richard W (2018) Reliability and Validity of Gaze-Dependent Functional Vision Space: A Novel Metric Quantifying Visual Function in Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 59:1760-1768
Roberts, Tawna L; Anderson, Heather A; Stuebing, Karla K (2015) Accommodative Gain in Relation to Perceived Target Clarity. Optom Vis Sci 92:1092-102