Ophthalmology Researcher at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Receives Grant to Study Eye Muscle Surgery

PITTSBURGH – Matthew S. Pihlblad, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, has been awarded a research grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation to further support his research on eye muscles.

The research project, titled "Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) of Extraocular Muscles," will use optical coherence tomography technology to image eye muscles that attach to the eye without touching the eye itself. OCT is commonly used to take pictures of the front and back parts of the eye.

"The AS-OCT is potentially a faster, less costly, higher-resolution imaging study that is non-invasive, non-contact and can be performed in the clinic,"; Dr. Pihlblad said.

Funded by the nearly $59,000 grant, the study is designed to take pictures of the eye muscles before and after eye muscle surgery. The goal is to help ophthalmologists better plan eye muscle surgeries, interpret surgical results and plan future surgery, potentially improving outcomes.

"I am extremely grateful for the grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation," Dr. Pihlblad said. "This grant will help me pursue my current research interests in pediatric eye disease, which would not be possible without this funding."

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation is a leading masonic charity supporting research that can help launch the careers of clinical or basic researchers committed to the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children.

For more information about Dr. Pihlblad, visit www.chp.edu.