Douglas Borchman, Ph.D.
"The eye field has seen dramatic changes and discoveries in the last twenty years. And the whole area of research and treatment options are expanding exponentially... If we can delay the onset of cataracts by ten years, we can effectively eliminate the need for nearly half of all operations performed in this country."
As a biophysicist, Douglas Borchman is equally fascinated by how the human lens can remain clear for decades, as by the factors which cause that clarity to diminish over time. This fascination has led him to explore how the composition, structure and function of membrane lipids contribute to the light scattering effect of cataracts. This scattering of light manifests itself in the clouding of vision we frequently associate with cataracts.
The techniques and experience gained from his study of lens lipids enabled Professor Borchman to study how derangement of oils cause dry eye symptoms. Over 60 % of the cases involving dry eye symptoms are due to meibomian gland dysfunction. Meibomian glands are in our eye lids and every time we blink, a little oil is squeezed out of the glands like a tube of tooth paste. The oil spreads on the tear surface. Professor Borchman, in collaboration with Dr. Foulks, used his spectroscopic background in biophysics to determine that the oil in 19 of 20 patients studied with meibomian gland dysfunction was stiffer like lard compared with patients without meibomian gland dysfunction whose oil was fluid and more like olive oil. The stiffer oil may not flow out of the meibomian gland as well as the fluid oil does which may lead to less oil on the eye lids, a quicker rate of evaporation and hence, that dry, sand-in-your-eye feeling. Drs. Borchman and Foulks have recently been awarded a National Institute of Health Grant to study the relationship between tear oil composition, structure and function.
Current Position
Professor, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Professor, Department of Biochemistry Professor, Department of Chemistry On Staff since 1986
Research Specialties
Cataract, Membrane Structure, Membrane Pumps, Membrane Spectroscopy, Lipids & Lipid Tear Film
Contact Information
borchman@louisville.edu
University of Louisville
Dept. Of Ophthalmology & Visual Science 301 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-7435
FAX - (502) 852-7450
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Education
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, B.S. Chemistry 1977
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, Ph.D. Chemistry (Biochemistry) 1986
Professional Societies and Affiliations
Association of Research and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, International Association of Biomedical Gerontology, International Congress of Eye Research, International Society for Free Radical Research, Japanese-USA Cooperative Cataract Research Group, European Association for Vision and Eye Research.
