THE RETINA RESEARCH FUND

The Retina Center at Pali Momi has participated in many of the pivotal trials that have lead to wet-AMD and diabetic retinopathy treatments that are FDA-approved and now available to patients world-wide.  Gregg T. Kokame, MD, Medical Director of The Retina Center, has strived to make the most recent therapeutic options for retinal diseases available to the people of Hawaii.   

While many of our studies are funded through the support of the pharmaceutical industries, the independent-type of research would not be possible without the help, support and generosity of individuals.  The clinical trials that Retina Consultants of Hawaii participates in are run through The Retina Center at Pali Momi.  If you would like more information in regards to how you can donate to The Retina Research Fund of the Kapi'olani Health Foundation, please contact Mona Maehara, Hawaii Pacific Health Fundraising Manager at (808) 721-4906.

Annual Reports:

2003 Page 1

2003 Page 2

2003 Page 3

2003 Page 4

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2003 Page 6

2004-2005 Page 1

2004-2005 Page 2

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As The Retina Center at Pali Momi enters its second decade, the opportunity for advancement in clinical care, research and education has never been brighter.  Over the past decade, the Center's research focused on surgery for macular holes, and management of dislocated implants and complications of cataract surgery.  For the future, the focus is changing and concentrating on promising new therapies for the two most common blinding complications in our state and in our country - macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) - We introduced photodynamic therapy for exudative AMD to Hawaii in 1999 through clinical trials and developed a photodynamic therapy suite in our ambulatory surgery center.  A new era of therapy for AMD began in Hawaii with the introduction of pharmacologic studies for drugs that block abnormal blood vessel growth.  A clinical trial studying intravitreal injections of Lucentis (an anti-VEGF antibody fragment) made by Genentech for exudative macular degeneration began in 2002, again bringing the newest promising therapeutic option for potentially blinding diseases to our state early in development.  Another clinical trial of intravitreal injections of Macugen (an anti-VEGF aptamer) made by OSI Eyetech/Pfizer began in 2005 in a combination therapy trial.  We have also recently shown promising results for surgery in select situations of exudative macular degeneration, specifically peripapillary subretinal neovascularization or blood vessels growing from the optic nerve head.
• Diabetic Retinopathy - Trials studying the benefits of different laser techniques as well as the use of intravitreal injections of steroid medicines into the eye are currently ongoing in trials organized through NIH-sponsored collaborations around the nation.  In addition, potential oral medication for diabetic retinopathy with protein kinase inhibitor sponsored by Lilly were recently completed with some promising results.
• Vitrectomy surgery - Further refinements are underway with development of small incision surgery, which minimizes patient discomfort and allows quicker recovery of vision.  While not applicable for all indications, the results for appropriate indications have been dramatic, and instrumentation is quickly being developed and implemented to optimize the new 25 gauge vitrectomy approach here at the Center.

The Retina Center at Pali Momi has been at the forefront of new advances in retinal disease management, including surgery for macular holes, surgery for prevention of macular holes, and surgical management of cataract surgical complications, such as dislocated intraocular lens implants, and dislocated lens fragments.  Future advances are already unfolding with small incision surgery, pharmacologic therapy for age-related macular degeneration, and new approaches to retinal vascular disease therapy.  Diagnostic testing with video-angiography and ICG angiography using the Heidelberg scanning laser ophthalmoscope was added in 2004 for macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and other retinal disorders.

We thank you for your continued support of The Retina Center at Pali Momi and we strive to continue to be a resource for Hawaii for retinal disease management, research and education.

Gregg T. Kokame, MD, MMM

Medical Director, The Retina Center at Pali Momi

Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi