About

Stuart I. Brown is a faculty member in the Department of Ophthalmology at UC San Diego, located at 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093. His research activities and funding focus on psychosocial interventions and their effects on age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), including studies on self-management, depression, and quality of life in patients with ARMD. He has served as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded projects related to eye research, psychosocial interventions, and clinical trials. His publication record includes research on computer use among patients with ARMD, treatment of depression associated with ARMD, and the cognitive effects of spectacle correction in preschoolers, among other topics. His work contributes to understanding the psychosocial aspects of eye health and the development of interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Composite material
• Pediatrics
• Surgery
• Optometry
• Anatomy
• Materials science
• Ophthalmology
• Demography

Selected publications

• Pediatric Eye Care Treatment Rates and Community Compliance to a Spectacle Provision Program in an Underserved School District in San Diego, CA

  Clinical ophthalmology · 2023 · 3 citations

  • Medicine
  • Optometry
  • Pediatrics

  Significance: The need for early identification and treatment of young children's refractive error needs has become a public health concern. The UCSD Eyemobile for Children (EyeMobile) provides vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams on the Eyemobile among a population of underserved, predominantly Hispanic preschool and elementary school children. The program also provides spectacles for children who fail eye exams due to refractive error. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all children screened from 2011 to 2017 by the Eyemobile across 10 San Diego elementary schools. We examined demographics, distance and near visual acuity, autorefraction, stereopsis, and color vision. To measure compliance to our spectacle program, we checked if children who were prescribed spectacles were wearing them, as instructed, at the following year's screening. Differences between compliance measures with respect to school, age, ethnicity, and gender were determined using chi-square analysis, while all other measures were fit to a binary logistic regression to determine statistically significant factors. Results: A total of 12,176 elementary school children were screened between 2011 and 2017. Of these children, 5269 (43.3%) were referred for a comprehensive eye examination. Across six years, 3163 (60.0%) of the children referred completed their eye examinations. There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in exam completion in the successive years. Exam completion was significantly higher in ten-year-olds (p = 0.0278) and in 3 of the 10 schools (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0027, and p = 0.0309). A total of 1089 (8.9% of screened) children were prescribed spectacles. Of the 409 children that were recorded with the compliance method, 342 (83.6%) were found to be fully compliant and wearing their spectacles as prescribed. Conclusion: The Eyemobile program demonstrated high levels of compliance for both eye examination completion and prescribed spectacle wear in underserved populations in the San Diego region, compared to similar national programs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• EP.TU.659Comparison of Gallbladder Tissue Tensile Strength between Thiel Embalmed Cadavers and Living Patients

  British journal of surgery · 2021

  • Medicine
  • Anatomy
  • Surgery

  Abstract Aim Formalin-embalmed cadavers have traditionally been used as an integral part of anatomy teaching and surgical training. Cadaveric tissue can, however, be compromised by distorted appearance, shrinkage, rigidity and unnatural colouration. The Thiel embalming process produces more ‘life-like’ specimens and it could be postulated that these may be more suitable for surgical training. This study aimed to provide quantifiable and repeatable measurements for the mechanical tissue properties of Thiel embalmed cadavers. Methods Four gallbladders were removed from Thiel Embalmed cadavers and eleven from living patients during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The specimens were prepared into a uniform ‘hour-glass’ shape. The cadaveric specimens were loaded onto the Instron tensometer and the patient specimens were loaded onto a portable hand-held tensometer. The samples were extended until complete tensile failure occurred allowing measurement of the tissues’ tensile strength and strain. Results Nine samples were obtained from the four Thiel embalmed gallbladders and 27 samples yielded from the 11 living patients’ gallbladders. The mean ultimate tensile strength of the Thiel samples was 2.16 ± 0.91 MPa compared with 2.24 ± 1.40 MPa in the living patient group (p = 0.85). The Thiel embalmed cadaveric samples had a lower measured mean strain than the living patient gallbladders of (123 ± 33% vs. 233 ± 91%, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that, while tissue strength is well preserved, there may be some differences in how the tissues feel, related to differences in elongation during handling in Thiel embalmed gallbladder tissue.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Graded exercise therapy for ME/CFS: finding consensus between the royal colleges, patients, and researchers

  BMJ · 2021-12-08

  letter1st authorCorresponding

  After oral treatment (once daily) for 4 weeks with the potent bradykinin B₁ receptor antagonist methyl 3-chloro-3′-fluoro-4′-{(1<i>R</i>)-1-[({1-[(trifluoroacetyl)amino]cyclopropyl}carbonyl)-amino]ethyl}-1,1′-biphenyl-2-carboxylate (MK-0686), rhesus monkeys (<i>Macaca mulatta</i>) exhibited significantly reduced systemic exposure of the compound in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting an occurrence of autoinduction of MK-0686 metabolism. This possibility is supported by two observations. 1) MK-0686 was primarily eliminated via biotransformation in rhesus monkeys, with oxidation on the chlorophenyl ring as one of the major metabolic pathways. This reaction led to appreciable formation of a dihydrodiol (M11) and a hydroxyl (M13) product in rhesus liver microsomes supplemented with NADPH. 2) The formation rate of these two metabolites determined in liver microsomes from MK-0686-treated groups was ≥2-fold greater than the value for a control group. Studies with recombinant rhesus P450s and monoclonal antibodies against human P450 enzymes suggested that CYP2C75 played an important role in the formation of M11 and M13. The induction of this enzyme by MK-0686 was further confirmed by a concentration-dependent increase of its mRNA in rhesus hepatocytes, and, more convincingly, the enhanced CYP2C proteins and catalytic activities toward CYP2C75 probe substrates in liver microsomes from MK-0686-treated animals. Furthermore, a good correlation was observed between the rates of M11 and M13 formation and hydroxylase activities toward probe substrates determined in a panel of liver microsomal preparations from control and MK-0686-treated animals. Therefore, MK-0686, both a substrate and inducer for CYP2C75, caused autoinduction of its own metabolism in rhesus monkeys by increasing the expression of this enzyme.

  PublisherDOI

• The PlusoptiX Photoscreener and the Retinomax Autorefractor as Community-based Screening Devices for Preschool Children

  Current Eye Research · 2018-02-09 · 26 citations

  articleSenior author

  PURPOSE: To compare the performance of the PlusoptiX S12 mobile photoscreener and the Retinomax K+3 Autorefractor as screening devices in preschool children. METHODS: Children ranging from 3 to 5 years of age from 11 San Diego County preschools underwent vision screening in their schools where ambient light could not always be controlled using both the Retinomax and the PlusoptiX. Cycloplegic refraction on the consented children was subsequently performed on the UCSD EyeMobile for children on-site at the school locations. RESULTS: A total of 321 children were screened with the PlusoptiX and Retinomax. The PlusoptiX referred 22% of children, of whom 70% of the referrals were read as "unable". The Retinomax referred 13% and there were no "unables". Similar results occurred in the cycloplegic-refracted 182 consented children-64% of the PlusoptiX referrals were read as "unable" . Only one third of these "unables" required glasses. Both devices referred the four children with amblyopia and one case of strabismus. However, PlusoptiX's 3 false negatives had amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) while the one Retinomax's false negative did not have ARFs. The Retinomax screening had 95% sensitivity and 94% specificity. The PlusoptiX screening had 86% sensitivity and 84% specificity. CONCLUSION: In this preschool population and environment, the PlusoptiX referred 63% more than the Retinomax in addition to a lower specificity and sensitivity. Adjusting PlusoptiX referral criteria might not substantially improve the specificity of the PlusoptiX due to the high numbers of "unables".

  PublisherDOI

• The Plusoptix photoscreener and the Retinomax autorefractor as community-based screening devices for preschool children

  Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2017-08-01 · 2 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• The UCLA preschool vision program, 2012-2013

  Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2016-02-01 · 25 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Refractive Errors and Amblyopia in the UCLA Preschool Vision Program; First Year Results

  American Journal of Ophthalmology · 2016-09-15 · 60 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Issues and SWOT contribution in the coastal zones and estuaries White Paper

  2015-01-01

  article
  Publisher

• Kinematical analysis of the trunk, upper limbs and fingers during minimal access surgery when using an armrest

  Ergonomics · 2015-05-08 · 6 citations

  article

  This study investigated whether using an armrest could reduce the movements of the trunk, upper limb and hand of surgeons during simulated minimal access surgery. Sixteen surgeons carried out two trials of simulated laparoscopic surgery, one using an armrest and the other without. Reflective markers were attached on the trunk, upper limbs, fingers, minimal access camera (MAC) and scissors, allowing a motion capture system to record the movements. The error ratios during operation, subjective opinions and operative durations were collected. The results showed that total displacements at the trunk and shoulders were reduced by at least 25% when using an armrest compared with not using one; error ratios were reduced by 7%; velocity and acceleration in the trunk, shoulder and MAC were reduced. After simulated operations, 78% of the participants preferred using the armrest. The study indicates that an armrest could improve surgical outcomes by reducing trunk movements. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: An armrest may help surgeons to reduce unnecessary movements during operations. The error ratios were reduced by 7% when using an armrest compared with no armrest. Displacements at the trunk and shoulders were reduced by 25% when using an armrest. Seventy-eight per cent of participants preferred to use an armrest after the experiment.

  PublisherDOI

• Intraluminal magnetisation of bowel by ferromagnetic particles for retraction and manipulation by magnetic probes

  Medical Engineering & Physics · 2014-08-26 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Feasibility studies are needed to demonstrate that safe and effective manipulation of bowel during Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) can be obtained by use of magnetic force. This paper characterises two classes of magnetic particles: stainless steel microparticles (SS-μPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-nPs) in terms of their magnetisation, chemical composition, crystallinity, morphology and size distribution. Both magnetic particles were dispersed in a high viscosity biological liquid for intraluminal injection of bowel. Ex vivo porcine bowel segments were then retracted by permanent magnetic probes of 5.0 and 10mm diameter. Strong retraction forces reaching 6N maximum were obtained by magnetic fluid based on dispersion of SS-μPs. In contrast, the IO-nP-based magnetic liquid generated less attraction force, due to both lower magnetic and solution properties of the IO-nPs. The comparison of the two particles allowed the identification of the rules to engineer the next generation of particles. The results with SS-μPs provide proof on concept that intraluminal injection of magnetic fluid can generate sufficient force for efficient bowel retraction. Thereafter we shall carry out in vivo animal studies for efficacy and safety of both types of ferrofluids.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01EY011924

  NIH · $688k · 2001

• NIH Grant R03EY013995

  NIH · $114k · 2003

Frequent coauthors

• Bartly J. Mondino

  Doheny Eye Institute

  67 shared

• Daniel B. Goldberg

  22 shared

• David J. Schanzlin

  Gordon Schanzlin New Vision Institute

  22 shared

• Carol Weller Hook

  Cornell University

  22 shared

• M Tragakis

  21 shared

• A. Cuschieri

  Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

  21 shared

• Bruce S. Rabin

  17 shared

• Stephen E. Bloomfield

  Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital

  17 shared

Labs

• UCSD OphthalmologyPI

Education

• M.D., Ophthalmology

  University of California, San Diego

  1986

• B.S., Biology

  University of California, San Diego

  1982