Posts by Ula V. Jurkunas, MD
-
The Neuropeptide Alpha-Melanocyte–stimulating Hormone Prevents Persistent Corneal Edema After Injury
Reza Dana, MD, MSc, MPH; Jia Yin, MD, PhD, MPH; Ula V. Jurkunas, MD; and colleagues have discovered a critical role for neuropeptides in maintenance of corneal endothelial cells and potential therapeutic applications for α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone after corneal injury or intraocular surgery.
-
Cell Therapy That Repairs Cornea Damage With Patient's Own Stem Cells Achieves Positive Phase I Trial Results
Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC) procedure shown to be safe and feasible with early positive results of restored cornea surfaces or vision gains in four patients with severe chemical burns.
-
Alpha-Melanocyte–stimulating Hormone Is Critical to Corneal Graft Survival
Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear have differentiated the cytoprotective action of alpha-melanocyte–stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) on corneal graft tissue from its effect on the graft recipient's immune response by alternating use of transgenic mice with a truncated alpha-MSH receptor as the graft donor or host.
-
Mass Eye and Ear Doctors Collaborate with Dana-Farber to Rebuild Damaged Corneas Using Patients' Own Stem Cells for the First Time in the U.S.
Surgeons at Mass Eye and Ear are the first in the U.S. to have replaced the eye surface of patients who each experienced chemical burns to one eye—by using their own stem cells taken from the other healthy eye—in a technique known as cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation.
Biography
Dr. Ula Jurkunas is a clinician-scientist who performs corneal and refractive surgery at Mass Eye and Ear and conducts basic science research on Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy and stem cell transplantation at Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear. In addition to being one of the highest volume refractive and transplant surgeons at Mass Eye and Ear, she teaches residents and fellows about corneal, cataract, and refractive surgery as well as the clinical management and diagnosis of corneal and refractive conditions. Dr. Jurkunas is a co-director of Harvard Ophthalmology Cornea Center of Excellence.
After obtaining her medical degree from University of Louisville, Dr. Jurkunas completed her ophthalmology residency at Boston University. She then completed subspecialty training in cornea, external diseases and refractive surgery at Mass Eye and Ear, serving as Chief Cornea Fellow for one year.
Mass Eye and Ear/Mass General Ophthalmology
An international center for ophthalmology treatment and research, Mass Eye and Ear/Massachusetts General Hospital is the primary teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top hospitals for eye care. Led by Chief and Chair Joan W. Miller, MD, the department provides seamless access to the most innovative care available anywhere in the world.
