Laurie Birdsong, Author at Department of Ophthalmology

Over almost a decade at UNC, gene and drug delivery expert Zongchao Han, MD, PhD, has conducted translational research focused on developing novel and alternative therapies to treat retinal diseases via biomedical nanoparticle applications. Most recently, the March 2023 issue of Gene Therapy* published a study led by Dr. Han that achieved intact genomic nanoparticle …

Join UNC Department of Ophthalmology on April 1st, 2023, for the annual UNC Eye Symposium at the William & Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education. This conference is designated for Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic Technicians, and Photographers. Please click on the registration links on this page to register early for the 2023 UNC Eye Symposium and …

UNC Department of Ophthalmology is pleased to welcome Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Marc Booth, MD, as the newest faculty member to join the Comprehensive Eye Care team. Dr. Booth joins UNC Ophthalmology on the heels of 20 years in ophthalmology private practice with physician groups nationwide. He brings a broad fund of ophthalmic knowledge …

March 23rd is World Optometry Day! Each year, the eye specialist community pauses to recognize optometrists worldwide and their critical role as highly trained providers of comprehensive eye care. Assistant Professor Michael Mendsen, OD, is a UNC Department of Ophthalmology faculty optometrist and Comprehensive Eye Care team provider at UNC Kittner Eye Center. Dr. Mendsen …

When the 2020 pandemic made working remotely the new normal, millions of Americans found themselves adjusting to the home as their full-time workplace and. Displaced desk sitters spent extended periods in front of screens logging longer hours, and reports of suffering symptoms of digital eye strain became more common. A new era of remote workers …

As a UNC freshman, Nicholas Ilgandi was a familiar face around UNC Kittner Eye Center. By graduation, the well-liked, motivated undergraduate’s primary role within the department had expanded to assisting a wide range of faculty-led clinical studies serving as a Clinical Research Assistant. Nicholas is now a first-year medical student at Lincoln Memorial University (Harrogate, …

Advanced-age adults who face increased odds of developing a degenerative eye disease frequently narrow their worries to conditions that are most in the spotlight and/or prevalent, such as the world’s two leading causes of blindness — cataract and glaucoma. Lost in this mix among senior Americans is adequate awareness of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In …

A UNC Ophthalmology faculty-mentored, resident-led study published in the December 2022 Journal of Glaucoma assessed how well glaucomatous changes detected to the optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) parameters agree among them in pre-perimetric and early perimetric glaucoma, based on optical coherence tomography (Cirrus HD-OCT) normative database classification. …

An adult who faithfully visits his PCP for annual well-checks shows no signs of mid-life worsening vision and falls short of scheduling a first-time comprehensive eye exam in his 40s. At age 50, he is diagnosed with glaucoma at an overdue screening, 10 years past the recommended age. The asymptomatic patient is shocked to learn …

In December, merry-making at all turns can induce careless behavior in the most cautious individuals. Accordingly, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has declared December as Safe Toys and Celebrations Month. The AAO has outlined a range of common sense, eyesight-preserving practices during the holidays, from selecting non-shooting gifts for children, to practicing significant caution when …

UNC Ophthalmology congratulates Department Chair and Kittner Family Distinguished Professor Donald L. Budenz, MD, MPH, for receiving the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)’s 2022 Life Achievement Honor Award. Among eight highly achieved ophthalmologists worldwide, Dr. Budenz was awarded this career honor at a ceremony held at the AAO’s Annual Meeting (AAO 2022) in October 2022. …

African American glaucoma patients who report medication non-adherence* and are exposed before clinic visits to the importance of question-asking during appointments are significantly more likely to inquire about their condition than those who do not receive pre-visit prompts. In a study published in the September/October 2022 Ophthalmology Glaucoma (Vol. 5/Issue 5), UNC Department of Ophthalmology …

Author Archives: Laurie Birdsong

Zongchao Han: Advancing Ophthalmic Nanomedicine Delivery to Counter Degenerative Effects of Inherited Retinal Disorders

2023 UNC Eye Symposium is Saturday, April 1st at the Friday Center!

UNC Ophthalmology Welcomes Comprehensive Ophthalmologist Dr. Marc Booth

March 23rd is World Optometry Day!

March is Workplace Eye Wellness Awareness Month!

Starting Early: Learning Clinical Research and Workflow as a UNC Undergraduate

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month!

Agreement of Diagnostic Classification Between Structural Parameters in Pre-Perimetric and Early Perimetric Glaucoma

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month!

December is Safe Toys and Celebrations Month!

Budenz Receives Life Achievement Honor Award from American Academy of Ophthalmology

Improving African American Patient Question-Asking and Provider Education During Glaucoma Visits