Randy H. Kardon, MD, PhD

Specialty: Neuro-Ophthalmology

Pomerantz Family Chair in Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology
Director of Neuro-Ophthalmology Service

Campus Address

11290-D PFP
(319) 356-2260

Education

• BS (General Science), University of Iowa
• MD, PhD (Pharmacology), University of Iowa

Post Graduate Education

• Medical Internship, Gundersen Clinic & Lutheran Hospital
• Research Fellow, University of Iowa
• Residency (Ophthalmology), University of Iowa
• Fellowship (Neuro-Ophthalmology), University of Iowa

Certification

• American Board of Ophthalmology

Professional Affiliations

• Imaging and Perimetry Society
• Optical Society of America
• Upper Mid-West Neuro-Ophthalmology Group
• North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
• International Pupil Colloquium
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Research Interest

• Relationship of visual dysfunction to pupillomotor responsiveness to light
• Pharmacology of the central and peripheral pupillomotor pathways
• Autonomic disorders of pupillary function
• Risk factors in the pathogenesis of optic nerve diseases
• Multifocal electroretinogram in diagnosing visual loss
• Correlation of structure and function of the visual system
• Studies of the dynamics of the blood flow to the choroid and retina
• Optical imaging of retinal function

Current Projects

• Understanding the photoreceptor and intrinsic melanopsin retinal ganglion cell input to the pupil light reflex in normal eyes, eyes with retinal degeneration and eyes with optic neuropathy in order to diagnose eye disease and its treatment (collaboration with Ed Stone M.D. Ph.D., University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Aki Kawasaki M.D., University of Lausanne, Switzerland).
• Use of intravitreal neurotrophic growth factors for treatment of glaucoma, compressive optic neuropathy, and laser-induced retinal damage (collaboration with Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM, Ph.D., Iowa State University College of Veterinary Science and Markus Kuehn Ph.D. University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences)
• Pathogenesis and treatment of autoimmune retinopathy (collaboration with Dr. Sinisa Grozdanic, DVM, Ph.D., Iowa State University College of Veterinary Science)
• Use of genetically engineered mesenchymal cells from bone marrow to seed the retina and produce neurotrophic factors for treatment of optic neuropathy and retinopathy (with Don Sakaguchi Ph.D. (primary investigator) and Sinisa Grozdanic DVM Ph.D. (collaborator) ISU)
• Correlation of structure of the retina using optical coherence tomography and feature identification in retinal images with corresponding retinal function (collaboration with Don Hood Ph.D. Columbia University, Michael Abramoff M.D. Ph.D., Milan Sonka Ph.D., Mona Haeker Ph.D., Young Kwon M.D. Ph.D.. Michael Wall M.D., and Chris Johnson, Ph.D., University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Electical Engineering)
• The use of objective pupil perimetry in the assessment of visual dysfunction
• Computerized determination of the relative afferent pupillary defect and the factors that affect it.
• Multifocal Electroretinography (MERG) as a tool to differentiate optic nerve from retinal diseas.
• Evaluation of which response parameter (i.e. contraction amplitude, maximum velocity, latency) of the pupillary light reflex is the most sensitive indicator of visual dysfunction.
• Characterization of etiology and site of visual dysfunction by evaluation of stimulus intensity/pupil response curve functions.
• The effect of disease of differing etiologies on tests of optic nerve function (the relative afferent pupillary defect, foveal threshold, critical flicker fusion, visual acuity, color vision).
• Evaluation of the pupil, eyelid, and sweating (skin conductance) in Horner's Syndrome.
• The effect of blood pressure, auto regulation, and watershed zone of the optic nerve blood supply on the pathogenesis of disorders of the optic nerve head.
• Measurement of retinal sensitivity as a function of intraocular pressure using scleral suction in conjunction with the pupillary light reflex.
• Studies of how damage to the retina and optic nerve affect the structure of the retinal nerve fiber layer using optical coherence tomography and how this correlates to measures of function.
• Digital video angiography of the choroidal and retinal blood flow of the eye and the effects of disease on the dynamics of blood flow.
• Development of a new technique of functional imaging of the retina.

Current Funding (Federal)

• 2009-2014 Department of Veterans Affairs Center of Excellence for “The Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss”. Role: Principle Investigator and Director of Center
• 2009-2113 Veterans Administration Rehab Grant “Cholinergic Drugs For Reversal Of Visual Deficits In Glaucoma” Goal is to show that topical and systemic cholinergic agents reduce optic nerve damage and in some cases, reverse it in a dog form of inherited progressive glaucoma. Role: PI
• 2009-2012 1R01EY018853-01A2 NIH (NEI) “Focal Structure-Function Relationships in Macular Layers from 3D Spectral OCT” Goal is to develop image analysis tools to relate the structure and function in layers of the retina using volume optical coherence tomography of the macula in human retina. Role: Co-PI
• 2005-2008 R01EY017066-01, NIH (NEI) “Low-cost, portable, computer assisted imaging for diabetic retinopathy” Michael Abramoff(PI) Goal is to develop software feature analysis of retinal images from low cost retinal cameras for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic retinopathy (telemedicine). Role: Co-Investigator
• 2007-2010 Veterans Administration Rehab Grant “Growth Factor Treatment of Visual Loss in Comprehensive Optic Nerve Injury”Goal is to use intravitreal sustained release growth factors to reduce visual loss from compressive optic neuropathy model in dogs. Role: Principle Investigator
• 2005-2008 Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Research and Development Grant, Treatment of Visual Loss In Glaucoma and Ischemia with Neurotrophic Growth Factors. Goal is to use intravitreal sustained release growth factors to reduce visual loss from glaucoma model in dogs. Role: Principle Investigator
• 2008-2011 Veterans Administration Rehab Grant Randy Kardon(PI). Rehabilitation of Glaucoma Using Computer-Analyzed Eye Images.Goal is to develop software feature analysis of optic nerve images from low cost retinal cameras for diagnosis, staging and monitoring of glaucoma (telemedicine.) Role: Principle Investigator
• 2008-2011 Department of Defense (DOD) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP PR064674)
  Treatment of Laser-Induced Retinal Injury and Visual Loss Using Sustained Release of Intra-vitreal Neurotrophic Growth Factors. Goal is to use intravitreal sustained release growth factors to reduce visual loss from laser-induced retinal damage in dogs. Role: Principle Investigator