Prof. Anat Levenstein
Manager of Ophthalmology Department
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
6 Weitzman St. Tel Aviv 62439
Tel/fax: 6925693, Tel 6925733
Summary of Research Work
Most of my research work today is in the field of retina diseases
A. Early detection of age-related macular degeneration:
Most of my research work is in the field of early detection of age related macular
degeneration. This disease is the most common cause of blindness in the western
world in people over the age of 50 and is a severe problem both for the affected
individual and public medicine. The main problem in this disease is the fact that in
most cases, the condition is discovered too late, with severe visual damage already
having been caused. Since 2000, I have participated in the development of technology
that has led to the development of a macular field of view and based on the cerebral
mechanism of hyperacuity. I have participated in executing clinical trials and clinical
consultation, and today I am considered one of the leaders in the field of detection of
age related macular degeneration.
This study has led to publications 73, 88 and 89 in the list of original publications, to
a chapter in a book, chapter 18 in the list of book chapters, many presentations in
national and international conferences and guest lectures in many conferences. We are
continuing this study and have now submitted works no. 1, 2 and 3 for publication.
Another study for which I received a Macula Society scholarship examines cerebral
function in patients with age related macular degeneration as manifested in functional
MRI scanning, and is currently underway. In addition, we are now examining the
reasons for the late detection of the disease, an epidemiological work that is currently
underway. We are checking whether the late detection is also related to difficulties in
diagnosis and differences in diagnoses between different experts. The first work that
examined the aspects between 3 retina disease experts is currently undergoing final
preparation for publication. Another work on the issue compares the interpretations of
digital fluorescein images of the retina, 4 in the USA and 4 in Europe, and is currently
being written.
B. Study of retinotoxicity of different intraocular drugs:
I am continuing in this field, executing research works in which the different
substances under assessment are injected into the eyes of rabbits and electrical
functioning testing of the retina is performed, using electrophysiological tests. In
addition, the morphological damage assessment is performed in histological
examinations. These works have yielded a number of publications. Works recently
published in the most reputable journals: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual
Science (A number of works in list B1, 5, 14, 17, 26, 90) and in Ophthalmology
(work no. 67). On that issue, I am now continuing to study the toxicity of a new
substance for treating age-related macular degeneration, Avestin. These works are
highly innovative in the world of ophthalmologic medicine and constitute a basis for
major proposals for clinical trials currently being submitted to the FDA, presented and
quoted in many places in the world.
C. The effect of ACHE on the retina:
I started these works in 1999. Then I made a connection between the laboratory of
Prof. Perlman at the Technion and that of Prof. Hermona Sorek at the Hebrew
University. These works yielded publication 57 in the list of original publications,
received a gratuity from the Chief Scientist, were presented on many occasions in
national and international conferences, and are now being written for publishing again
and constitute a basis for additional research work.
D. A major proportion of my research work deals with international multi-central
studies. In a very large study that proved the efficacy of a new treatment, known as
Macogen, for treating age-related macular degeneration, I was the chief investigator
in our center. This is article no. 28 in the other publication list, which was published
in the prestigious NEJM.
I am now a partner in a study relating to Macogen therapy for managing retinal vein
occlusion, treatment with Phossordact as a slow release steroid released into the
vitreous cavity, retinal vein occlusion and Lucentis therapy, an innovative treatment
for age related macular degeneration.
In addition, we studied complications of photodynamic therapy, works that yielded
article 85 in the list of original publications, and the effect of treatment compared to
the other eye, an article currently underway. We are now leading in the country the
field of administering a new treatment, Avestin, given as an intravitreal injection, for
age related macular degeneration.
E. Management of retinal vein occlusion – we are studying various treatments,
including resection of the optic nerve (RON), article 91 in the list of original
publications, participating in the study of Phossordact for retinal vein occlusion, and
participated in a study on Macogen for retinal vein occlusion.
Summary: I intend to continue basic research related to the toxicity of various
intravitreal drugs. The next drug to be studied is Trypan blue, which is a drug injected
into the vitreous in retina operations for assisting in the sloughing of the epiretinal
membrane from the retina. In addition, I am continuing to develop the parameter for
early identification of macular degeneration, this currently being at the stage of home
device development. This device is kept in the patient’s home for everyday use, which
constitutes a great hope for patients with macular degeneration. We are greatly
developing the issue of clinical studies in the department, I and two other physicians
having taken courses on good clinical practice, and we constitute a focus for many
multi-central studies.