The Department of Ophthalmology's research mission is to develop new ways to preserve and improve the vision and ocular health of people in Kansas and throughout the world. Our research program facilitates that mission by coordinating shared departmental resources for clinical, translational and basic research and by fostering an environment that supports faculty, resident and medical student scientific investigation. Current research activities include:

• Research studies as listed below
• KU Eye hosts monthly Research Rounds (2nd Tuesdays at 5 p.m., except June - August and December) with free CME opportunities.  Click here to opt in or learn more. 
• Research training programs and opportunities, including
  • Research rotations and summer research training for medical students
  • Honors research program for medical students
  • Retinal research fellowship program

Current Research

Faculty as Principal Investigator

• Acanthamoeba Keratoplasty - Principal Investigator: Kenneth Goins, MD
• Amblyopia Treatment Study (PEDIG) - Principal Investigator: Emily Broxterman, MD
• Analysis of the relationship of temporal artery biopsies treatment - Principal Investigator: Anne Wishna, MD
• Altus Assessments - Principal Investigator: Anne Wishna, MD
• Clinical Ophthalmological Outcomes - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBch, FRCSC(C)
• COAST A Phase 3, Multicentre, Double-masked, Randomised Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal OPT-302 in Combination with Aflibercept, Compared with Aflibercept Alone, in Participants with Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C); Sub-Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• DR Follow up Disparities - Principal Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• Endoscopic diode laser in retina surgery - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C)
• Endoscopy-assisted Pneumatic Dissection of the Anterior Hyaloid Membrane - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C); Co-Investigator: Matt Pfannenstiel, BS
• Genetics in Retinal Diseases Project - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C)
• Head Positioning Duration After Retinal Detachment Repair with Vitrectomy and Gas  - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C); Co-Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• The influence of religious belief on burnout in medical students - Principal Investigator: W. Abraham White, MD 
• Intracameral antibiotics during cataract surgery for the prevention of endophthalmitis - Principal Investigator: Anjulie Quick, MD
• M. Chimera Chrioretinitis - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C)
• A multi-center, partially-masked, randomized, controlled study of medical therapy vs. medical therapy plus optic nerve sheath fenestration vs. medical therapy plus sterotactic ventriculoperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid shunting in subjects with idiopathic i - Principal Investigator: Thomas Whittaker, MD
• Ocular Findings in COVID 19 Positive Patients - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C)
• Oculoplastic Intervention for Endophthalmitis  - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol,MD 
• Orbital Tumors - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol, MD
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium and Pigmentary Maculopathy - Principal Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• A Phase 3, Multicentre, Double-masked, Randomised Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal OPT-302 in Combination with Aflibercept, Compared with Aflibercept Alone, in Participants with Neovascular Agerelated Macular Degeneration (nAMD) - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C); Sub-Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• Post-Mohs Reconstruction Outcomes - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol, MD
• A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Fenofibrate for Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy Worsening (Protocol AF) -  Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh, FRCSC(C); Sub-Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• Rate of Vision Loss in Myopic Glaucoma Patients who have a history of Refractive Corneal Surgery - Principal Investigator: Anjulie Quick, MD
• Retina Dystrophies Database - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBCh FRCSC(C); Co-Investiator: Mary Champion, MD
• Retina Surgery Outcome Prognostic Factors - Principal Investigator: Radwan Ajlan, MBBch, FRCSC(C); Co-Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• A retrospective review to determine minimum threshold of visual ability in major league baseball - Principal Investigator: Anne Wishna, MD
• Space Occupying Lesions of the Orbit: Chart Review - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol, MD 
• Survey of Impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis on Ophthalmology Residency Training - Principal Investigator: Mary Champion, MD
• Use of Locking Forceps in Posterior Ptosis Surgery - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol, MD
• Use of telemedicine in oculoplastic practice - Principal Investigator: Jason Sokol, MD

Our faculty members also have numerous active research collaborations with several departments at KU.  For more information on research projects and opportunities, please contact us at 913-588-0105.