Prof. Andrea Cusumano, MD PHD
Adj. Professor of Ophthalmology
University Eye Clinic of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
APL Professor of Ophthalmology
University Eye Clinic of Bonn, Germany
Adj. Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
Education:
1976 – High School Graduation (summa cum laude) – Collegio San Giuseppe Istituto De Merode, Rome, Italy
1984 – M.D. (summa cum laude) – University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
1988 – Italian Board of Ophthalmology (summa cum laude) – University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
1992 – M.D. (magna cum laude) – Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
Professional History:
1984 Medical License, Italy
1984 – 1988 Assistant Chief Anatomy Institute – Department of Electron Microscopy, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy
1987 – 1988 Researcher in Ophthalmology, University of L’Aquila, Italy
1989 – 2016 Researcher in Ophthalmology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
1989 – 1990 Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
1989 Medical License, Germany
1991 – 1992 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Bad Godesberg, Research Fellowship, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
1993 Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
1993 – 1995 Postdoctoral Retinal Fellowship, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
1989 – 1994 Director Alfried Krupp Electron Microscopy Lab, Department of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
1995 – Today Founder and President “German-Italian Foundation for Eye and Brain Research” (DISAHF), co-Foundation of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
1996 – Today Adj. Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, USA
1998 – Today APL Professor of Ophthalmology, Friedrichs-Wilhelm University of Bonn, Germany
2008 – Today Eye Consultant, Vatican City, Vatican State
2012 – Today Founder and President, Macula & Genoma Foundation Onlus, Rome, Italy
2020 – Today Founder and President, Macula & Genoma Foundation USA Inc., New York, Rome
Subspecialty Board Certification
Italian Board of Ophthalmology – 1977
German Board of Ophthalmology – 1989
Societies
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
Italian Society of Ophthalmology (SOI)
Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft (DOG)
American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS)
German Retina Society
Gruppo Italiano Chirurgia Vitreoretinica(GIVRE)
EyeTech⁴
Abstract
Purpose. Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD) is caused by mutations in the EFEMP1 gene and is characterized by the formation of subretinal drusenoid deposits. In a previous study, we reported the short-term beneficial effects of 2RT nanosecond laser treatment on retinal function in DHRD patients. The present report aims to describe the long-term effects of 2RT on retinal function and structure in a small case series of patients.
Methods. Three DHRD patients (age range 41-46) with EFEMP1 pathogenic variant (c.1033C>T; p.R345W) and drusenoid deposits at the posterior pole were examined at baseline and following 2RT treatments at regular intervals of 2-4 months for up to 30 months. All patients underwent one or two treatment sessions in one or both eyes and underwent full ophthalmologic examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), central perimetry with frequency doubling technology (FDT), and mesopic and photopic Ganzfeld electroretinograms.
Results. Compared to baseline, visual acuity improved in both eyes in case 1 and the left eye in case 2, whereas it decreased in the right eye in case 2 and in the left eye in case 3. Perimetric sensitivity remained stable in case 1 and improved in both eyes in cases 2 and 3, and electroretinogram amplitude improved in cases 1 and 2 and was stable in case 3. OCT central macular thickness and retinal structure were stable in all cases. None of the patients had treatment-related side effects.
Conclusion. This first report shows that 2RT treatment may improve or stabilize some retinal function parameters in DHRD patients with a long-term effect without significant structural changes.