Science: Dr. Borchert’s Study

Dr. Mark Borchert, of the Department of Ophthalmology at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles [bio, PDF format], is seeking volunteer subjects for a ongoing research study designed to provide data about the factors involved in the formation of optic nerve hypoplasia prior to birth.

Current study project:

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Disease Distribution Survey
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

This survey is being conducted by Mark Borchert, M.D. and Pamela Garcia-Filion, M.P.H.. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact them at (323) 669-2267 between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. This study is approved by the Committee on Clinical Investigations (323) 669-2265.

Purpose: This survey is being used to gather information on how cases of optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) are spread across the United States and to determine if there are unique distributions of this disease. Participation is available to families with a child diagnosed with ONH (or SOD) and is completely voluntary. This survey does not require that you identify yourself.

To participate, click here.

The study may improve physicians’ ability to provide earlier identification and treatment of ONH. In addition, identification of prenatal risk factors may allow physicians to prevent this disease in the future.

If you would like your child to participate in Dr. Borchert’s study, please review the documents linked below (both require the Adobe Acrobat PDF plug-in, available here):

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia: A Guide for Parents (PDF)
A general diagnostic overview of ONH.

Hipoplasia del Nervio Óptico: Guía Para Los Padres (PDF)
Una descripción de diagnóstico general en español.

Consent/Permission for Child to Participate in Research (PDF)
Offers detailed description of the study requirements along with an application form. To apply, print the PDF form, fill it out, and mail it to: Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Mailstop #88, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027. For further information, or to schedule an appointment, call Joyce Sutedja at 323.361.6219.