Janet L. Davis, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitis

View published articles in the National Library of Medicine.

Research Summary

My research program involves the diagnosis and monitoring of uveitis and its treatment. Although I trained as a laboratory immunologist at the NEI with Dr. Bob Nussenblatt, I made the decision early in my career to focus my efforts in clinical research. I have a number of different ongoing clinical research projects which involve national collaborations and NEI funding. Recently however, I re-established my laboratory research interests through collaboration. I have evolved a close interaction with laboratory scientist Dr. Wei Li since he joined the department in 2002. In a similar vein I recently entered into a new collaboration involving both Dr. Wei Li and Dr. Elizabeth Fini in the area of genetic epidemiology.

Clinical Research in Uveitis. There are ongoing projects in the use of electroretinographic monitoring of uveitis and laser flare photometry in the management of chronic uveitis. Infectious uveitis is a particular interest. Recent efforts have included the development of a testing strategy to diagnose diffuse toxoplasmic chorioretinitis and the use of polymerase chain reaction to detect viral infections causing uveitis masquerade syndromes. Projects with external funding include fluocinolone acetonide implantation for the management of chronic posterior uveitis or diabetic macular edema, and cytomegalovirus retinitis viral resistance study.

A Novel Molecular Screen for Autoantigens in Uveitis. The project with Dr. Wei Li involves the development of a molecular screen for identifying autoantigens in uveitis. Autoimmune uveitis is a heterogeneous disease of inflammation in the eye that may lead to loss of vision. A