Doctor Avery is a distinguished name in the field of neuro-ophthalmology and pediatric neurology, evidenced by a robust portfolio of publications in esteemed medical journals. Their research, particularly prominent between 2013 and 2017, significantly contributes to the understanding and treatment of various neurological and ophthalmic conditions affecting children. This compilation highlights key areas of Doctor Avery’s research, demonstrating their expertise and impact on the field.
Optic Pathway Gliomas in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
A significant portion of Doctor Avery’s work focuses on optic pathway gliomas (OPGs), particularly in the context of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Their 2017 publication in the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology, “Optic pathway gliomas in neurofibromatosis type 1: an update,” co-authored with de Blank PMK, Fisher MJ, Liu GT, Gutmann DH, Listernick R, and Ferner RE, serves as a comprehensive update on the surveillance, treatment indications, and vision biomarkers related to OPGs in NF1 patients. This research is crucial for clinicians managing children with NF1, providing guidance on optimal monitoring and intervention strategies to preserve vision.
Further emphasizing their expertise in this area, Doctor Avery contributed to multidisciplinary recommendations for the care of orbital/periorbital plexiform neurofibromas in children with NF1. Published in Ophthalmology in 2017, this work, in collaboration with Katowitz JA, Fisher MJ, Heidary G, Dombi E, Packer RJ, and Widemann BC, highlights the importance of a team-based approach to managing complex manifestations of NF1.
Longitudinal studies on the progression of OPGs also feature prominently in Doctor Avery’s publications. Their 2015 American Journal of Ophthalmology article, “Longitudinal Change of Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas,” with Cnaan A, Schuman JS, Trimboli-Heidler C, Chen C-L, Packer RJ, and Ishikawa H, investigates the changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness over time in children with OPGs. This longitudinal perspective is vital for understanding disease progression and the effectiveness of treatments. Earlier work in 2014 in the same journal further explored the reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer measurements using handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) in this patient population, both in general and in sedated children. These studies, again with Cnaan A, Schuman JS, Chen C-L, Glaug NC, Packer RJ, Quinn GE, and Ishikawa H, validate the use of OCT as a reliable tool for monitoring OPGs in young children.
Applications of Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology
Doctor Avery’s research extends to the broader applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in pediatric clinical neuroscience. A 2015 publication in Neuropediatrics, “Applications of Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience,” co-authored with Rajjoub RD and Trimboli-Heidler C, reviews the utility of OCT in diagnosing and monitoring various neurological conditions in children. This work underscores the versatility of OCT as a non-invasive imaging technique in the pediatric neuro-ophthalmology setting.
Furthermore, Doctor Avery’s research in 2014 in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, alongside Gu S, Glaug NC, Cnaan A, and Packer RJ, specifically examined retinal ganglion cell layer thickness in children with vision loss from OPGs. This study provides valuable insights into the structural changes in the retina associated with visual impairment in these patients, further solidifying the role of OCT in understanding the pathophysiology of OPG-related vision loss. Their 2014 JAMA Ophthalmology publication, with Hwang EI, Ishikawa H, Acosta MT, Hutcheson KA, Santos D, Zand DJ, Kilburn LB, Rosenbaum KN, Rood BR, Schuman JS, and Packer RJ, further demonstrated the feasibility and utility of handheld OCT during sedation in young children with OPGs, making this technology more accessible for this vulnerable population.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure and Pediatric Neurology
Another area of Doctor Avery’s expertise is the interpretation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure measurements in children. Their 2014 articles in the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology and Neuropediatrics specifically address this topic. The Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology article, “Interpretation of Lumbar Puncture Opening Pressure Measurements in Children,” provides essential guidance on the clinical interpretation of CSF opening pressure. The Neuropediatrics publication, “Reference Range of CSF Opening Pressure in Children: Historical Overview and Current Data,” offers a comprehensive review of the historical context and current data regarding CSF pressure reference ranges in the pediatric population. These publications are highly relevant for clinicians who frequently encounter lumbar punctures in their pediatric practice.
Doctor Avery’s research also touches upon the clinical implications of elevated CSF opening pressure in pediatric demyelinating diseases. A 2015 Pediatric Neurology publication with Narula S, Liu GT, and Waldman AT, “Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Opening Pressure in a Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Cohort,” explores this association, adding to the understanding of the complex interplay between CSF dynamics and neurological disorders in children.
Vision and Quality of Life in Children with Neurological Conditions
Beyond specific disease entities, Doctor Avery has also contributed to the understanding of vision-specific quality of life in children with optic pathway gliomas. Their 2014 Journal of Neuro Oncology article with Hardy KK, “Vision Specific Quality of Life in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas,” highlights the impact of OPGs on children’s daily lives and well-being, emphasizing the importance of considering patient-reported outcomes in clinical management.
Furthermore, Doctor Avery’s work in 2014 JAMA Ophthalmology reported on the marked recovery of vision in children with optic pathway gliomas treated with bevacizumab, offering hope for improved visual outcomes in these patients. This research, co-authored with Hwang EI, Jakacki RI, and Packer RJ, showcases the potential of targeted therapies in improving vision in children with OPGs. In 2013, also in Pediatrics, Doctor Avery, alongside Binenbaum G, Rogers D, Forbes B, Levin A, Clark, S, Christian C, and Liu G, investigated the patterns of retinal hemorrhage associated with increased intracranial pressure in children, providing valuable diagnostic insights into this critical clinical scenario.
Conclusion
Doctor Avery’s publications demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing the understanding and management of neuro-ophthalmologic and neurologic conditions in children. Their extensive research on optic pathway gliomas, applications of OCT, CSF dynamics, and vision-related quality of life has significantly impacted the field. Doctor Avery’s work continues to be a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers dedicated to improving the lives of children with these complex conditions.
Publications
2017
de Blank PMK, Fisher MJ, Liu GT, Gutmann DH, Listernick R, Ferner RE, Avery RA. Optic pathway gliomas in neurofibromatosis type 1: an update: surveillance, treatment indications, and biomarkers of vision. J Neuroophthalmol. 2017;37(Suppl 1):S23-S32.
Aleman TS, Sandhu HS, Serrano LW, Traband A, Lau MK, Adamus G, Avery RA. Acute zonal cone photoreceptor outer segment loss. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2017;135(5):487-490.
Avery RA, Katowitz JA, Fisher MJ, Heidary G, Dombi E, Packer RJ, Widemann BC; OPPN Working Group. Orbital/periorbital plexiform neurofibromas in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: multidisciplinary recommendations for care. Ophthalmology. 2017;124(1):123-132.
2015
Avery RA, Cnaan A, Schuman JS, Trimboli-Heidler C, Chen C-L, Packer RJ, Ishikawa H. Longitudinal Change of Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2015;160:944–952
Avery RA, Rajjoub RD, Trimboli-Heidler C, Waldman AT. Applications of Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience. Neuropediatrics 2015:46:88-97.
Akshintala S, Avery RA, Murnick J, Verdun N, Diab Y. Isolated midbrain ischemic infarct in association with hyperlipoproteinemia (a) – a report of two adolescent patients. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 2015;46:88-97.
Narula S, Liu GT, Avery RA, Banwell B, Waldman AT. Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Opening Pressure in a Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Cohort. Pediatric Neurology 2015;52:446-449.
Rajjoub RD, Trimboli-Heidler C, Packer RJ, Avery RA. Reproducibility of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measures Using Eye Tracking in Children With Nonglaucomatous Optic Neuropathy. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2015;159:71–77.
2014
Avery RA, Cnaan A, Schuman JS, Chen C-L, Glaug NC, Packer RJ, Quinn GE, Ishikawa H. Intra- and Inter-visit Reproducibility of Ganglion Cell – Inner Plexiform Layer Measurements Using Handheld Optical Coherence Tomography in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2014;158:916-923.
Avery RA, Cnaan A, Schuman JS, Chen C-L, Glaug NC, Packer RJ, Quinn GE, Ishikawa H. Reproducibility of Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements Using Hand-held Optical Coherence Tomography in Sedated Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2014;158:780-787.
Avery RA. Interpretation of Lumbar Puncture Opening Pressure Measurements in Children. Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology 2014;34:284-287.
Avery RA. Reference Range of CSF Opening Pressure in Children: Historical Overview and Current Data. Neuropediatrics 2014;45:206-211.
Gu S, Glaug NC, Cnaan A, Packer RJ, Avery RA. Retinal Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness in Children with Vision Loss from Optic Pathway Gliomas. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2014;55:1402-1408.
Avery RA, Hwang EI, Ishikawa H, Acosta MT, Hutcheson KA, Santos D, Zand DJ, Kilburn LB, Rosenbaum KN, Rood BR, Schuman JS, Packer RJ. Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography During Sedation in Young Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas. JAMA Ophthalmology 2014;132:265-271.
Avery RA, Hardy KK. Vision Specific Quality of Life in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas. Journal of Neuro Oncology 2014;116:341-347.
Avery RA, Hwang EI, Jakacki RI, Packer RJ. Marked Recovery of Vision in Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas Treated with Bevacizumab. JAMA Ophthalmology 2014;132:111-114.
2013
Waldman AT, Hiremath G, Avery RA, Conger A, Pineles SL, Loguidice MJ, Talman LS, Galetta KM, Shumski MJ, Wilson J, Ford E, Greenberg BM, Ellenberg J, Frohman EM, Balcer LJ, Calabresi PA. Monocular and binocular low-contrast letter visual acuity and optical coherence tomography in pediatric multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 2013;3:326-334.
Fisher MJ, Avery RA, Allen JC, Ardern-Holmes SL, Bilaniuk LT, Ferner RE, Gutmann DH, Listernick R, Martin S, Ullrich NJ, Liu GT. Functional outcomes for neurofibromatosis type 1-associated optic pathway glioma clinical trials. Neurology 2013;18, suppl 1, S15-S24.
Binenbaum G, Rogers D, Forbes B, Levin A, Clark, S, Christian C, Liu G, Avery RA. Patterns of Retinal Hemorrhage Associated with Increased Intracranial Pressure in Children. Pediatrics 2013;132:e430-434.
Avery RA, Bouffet E, Packer RJ, Reginald A. Feasibility and Comparison of Visual Acuity Testing Methods in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and or Optic Pathway Gliomas. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2013;54:1034-1038.
Avery RA Dombi E, Hutcheson KA, Acosta MT, Baldwin AM, Madigan WP, Gillespie A, FitzGibbon EJ, Packer RJ, Widemann, BC. Visual Outcomes in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Orbitotemporal Plexiform Neurofibromas. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2013;155:1089-1094.
