IN-DEPTH SPEAKER PANEL
POST-OPERATIVE FIBRIN: THE VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY EXPERIENCE
Moderator
Dr. Elizabeth Giuliano
Panelists
Dr. Wendy Townsend
Dr. Erin Scott
Dr. John Sapienza
Over the past decade, ACVO diplomates have observed some canine cataract surgery patients affected in the early post operative period with unique forms of intraocular inflammation, irrespective of surgical protocols. Some diplomates have referred to this phenomenon as “the fibrin bomb”, others as a form of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS), and thirdly, when characterized by a specific fibrinous anterior uveitis emanating from the capsular bag, as “the Fibrin Web”. Join our panelists for a closer look at the history and characterization of this phenomenon in veterinary medicine since 2015 (Dr. Giuliano); an overview of TASS, Endophthalmitis, Fibrin Web and a brief comparison to what our physician counterparts have described (Dr. Townsend); surgical experiences with different IOLs and treatment approaches to the observed phenomena (Dr. Sapienza), and finally a summary of the veterinary peer-reviewed literature and what we know and have yet to learn about fibrinous uveitis post canine cataract surgery (Dr. Scott). After panelists’ brief presentations, ample opportunity for audience discussion will be greatly welcomed.
Moderator
Elizabeth A. Giuliano
DVM, MS, DACVO
Dr. Giuliano received a Bachelor of Science with honors from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1991 and her DVM degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996. Following graduation from veterinary school, she completed a small animal rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City in 1997 and remained in private practice in midtown Manhattan the following year. In 1998, she returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete a Comparative Ocular Pathology Fellowship. Since July 1, 1999, Dr. Giuliano has been a member of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri where she completed a residency in veterinary ophthalmology and a Masters of Science degree. She is currently a tenured Professor of the department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the University of Missouri and Section Chief of their comparative ophthalmology service. She has authored over 100 articles and textbook chapters. Dr. Giuliano is a dynamic, engaging speaker and has lectured extensively in the academic setting and at national and international meetings.
She is the recipient of numerous teaching/leadership awards, including three Golden Aesculapius Teaching Awards, the Gold Chalk Award, the Dadd Award, Western Veterinary Conference’s “Educator of the Year” (2018), and the 2023 Jordan Hoyt Memorial Tribute to Women faculty award. Since becoming an ACVO diplomate in 2002, Dr. Giuliano has demonstrated sustained devotion to her profession through volunteer work. This includes serving on more than 12 ACVO standing, Ad-Hoc, and associated committees [Residency Committee (2002-2006), Resident Forum Committee Co-Chair (2003 & 2006), ACVO Nominating Committee (2008 & 2017), Job Task Analysis Task Force (2008), Resident Presentation Judge at Annual Conference (2008 & 2009), Governance Committee (2009 – 2011), Maintenance of Certification Committee (2007-2012), Vision for Animal Foundation Grants Committee (Member 2007- 2009; co-Chair 2010 – 2012), William Magrane Basic Science Course in Ophthalmology Steering Committee (2011-2017), and the ABVO Examination Committee (2019- 2022)]. In 2011, she was elected to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) Board of Regents (2011-2016) and served as the ACVO President from 2015-2016.
Panelists
Wendy M. Townsend
DVM, MS, DACVO
Dr. Wendy Townsend is currently a professor of ophthalmology and the ophthalmology section chief at Purdue University. A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists since 2003, Dr. Townsend has extensive experience in veterinary ophthalmology. She has a passion for treating all species and for educating others about the eye. She has served on the ACVO Board of Regents, genetics committee, residency committee, and exam committee. Dr. Townsend’s research has been focused on Golden Retriever pigmentary uveitis, an inherited condition in North American golden retrievers. However, Dr. Townsend has also developed a keen interest in fibrin development post cataract surgery and the impact of instrument cleaning and sterilization techniques on post-operative fibrin formation.
Panelists
Erin M. Scott
VMD, DACVO
Dr. Erin Scott is an Associate Professor of Comparative Ophthalmology at Cornell University. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Dr. Scott completed a rotating internship at Louisiana State University, as well as a fellowship in comparative ocular pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
She then finished a residency in comparative ophthalmology at UW-Madison in 2015 and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Following her residency training, she joined the faculty at Texas A&M University for seven years. As a veterinary ophthalmologist, her professional interests are broadened by the wide variety of clinically relevant ocular conditions encountered in her patients. This includes advancements in the treatment of cataracts and glaucoma, comparative ocular pathology, and the ocular surface microbiome in health and disease.
Panelists
John S. Sapienza
DVM, DACVO
John S. Sapienza, DVM, DACVO, Chairman received his Bachelor of Science and veterinary degree from Cornell University. He completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine & surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, and a three-year residency in comparative ophthalmology at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Sapienza is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, and the consultant veterinary ophthalmologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and the N.Y. Aquarium. Dr. Sapienza is the head and department chairman of the ophthalmology section at New York’s largest private practice referral center Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, New York. His special interests in ophthalmology include phacoemulsification cataract surgery, glaucoma surgeries and vitreoretinal procedures for retinal re-attachments.
He has lectured extensively throughout the Continental United States, Hawaii, Japan, Europe and South America. Dr. Sapienza speaks fluent Spanish, and is a frequent lecturer in Spain, as well as North and South America, for interactive advanced courses in Spanish.
John is married to his lovely wife, Dr. Angels Prades-Sapienza, a veterinarian from Barcelona, Spain, and they have two wonderful children, Marc and Angelina. The Sapienza family enjoys their extended pet family of 2 dogs. John enjoys traveling with his family and in his downtime, enjoying the Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York.
Past In-Depth Speakers & Topics
Presentations have been recorded and are available to members through the online video portal.