Biographical Sketch:
Education:
BS - University of Wisconsin Honors Degree
MS in Physiological Optics - UAB
OD - UAB School of Optometry
Secondary Appointments:
Scientist, Vision Science Research Center
Scientist, Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education
Personal:
Dr. Marsh-Tootle and Dr. John S. Tootle have three sons, Joseph (recently graduated from UA with a degree in accounting, currently with Impact Alabama and planning to attend law school), Rob (majoring in geology at UA), and Johnny (attending Vestavia HS, also a piano student (along with John Sr.) of Ellen Tweiten at Birmingham Southern Music Conservatory).
Scholarly Activity:
Teaching:
Coursemaster, Pediatric Optometry OPT 326. This course prepares clinicians to interact effectively with children by sharpening objective evaluation skills and by tailoring tests to elicit the most sophisticated results the child can give. Students learn to interpret their results according to established normative values per age, to recognize deviations from normal, and to understand consequences of their interventions on the child's vision and broader development.
Research:
Dr. Marsh-Tootle is principal investigator of an NEI funded study to improve detection of amblyopia (lazy eye) and its risk factors in primary care settings. Data from Medicaid agencies in Alabama, Illinois and South Carolina show very low rates of quantitative vision screening at preschool ages, when treatment for amblyopia is most effective. This study involves a collaborative effort with colleagues at UAB from the School of Medicine Departments of Pediatrics, Continuing Medical Education, and Preventive Medicine. The overarching goal of the study is to reduce the prevalence of preventable vision loss from amblyopia by improving preschool vision screening in the medical home.
Dr. Marsh-Tootle is also principal investigator of the UAB clinical site for a long-term observational study of myopia (nearsight) development in children who participated in a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of progressive addition lenses in slowing myopia progression. This study began in 1997, and more than 90% of children still participate at UAB. Current goals of the study are to characterize the effects of myopia progression on the cornea and retina of the eye.
Dr. Marsh-Tootle participates in studies conducted through the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group to determine the best methods to treat amblyopia and myopia. These studies have allowed practitioners to prescribe fewer hours of patching and to offer eye-drops as an equally effective treatment for amblyopia. Current studies are determining the effectiveness of glasses and filters in treating strabismus and ambyopia.
Dr. Marsh-Tootle is also involved in evaluating the effectiveness of a system to improve eye care for children in Latin America, through consultation with the UNESCO Chair in Vision Development in Barcelona, Spain.
Additional Information:
Dr. Marsh-Tootle is an active member of VOSH International (Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity).
Recent Publications:
Quantitative pediatric vision screening in primary care settings in Alabama. Accepted for publication in Optometry and Vision Science, March, 2008.
Gwiazda J, Hyman L, Dong, LM, Everett D, Norton TT, Kurtz D, Manny RE, Marsh-Tootle WL, Scheiman M; COMET Group. Factors Associated with High Myopia After 7 Years of Follow-up in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) Cohort. Ophthalmic Epidemiology 2007; 14(4): 230 - 237.
Hartmann EE, Bradford GE, Chaplin KN, Johnson T, Kemper AR, Kim S, Marsh-Tootle WL, for the PUPVS Panel for American Academy of Pediatrics. Project Universal Preschool Vision Screening: A Demonstration Project Pediatrics Feb 2006;117 e226 e237: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/2/e226
Marsh-Tootle WL and Frazier MG. "Infants, Toddlers and Children" Chapter 30 in Borish's Clinical Refraction, Second Edition. Eds. Benjamin WJ and Borish IM. Elsevier, St Louis MO., 2006.
Hyman L, Gwiazda J, Hussein M, Norton TT, Wang Y, Marsh-Tootle W, Everett D. and the COMET Group. Relationship of age, sex, and ethnicity with myopia progression and axial elongation in the correction of myopia evaluation trial. Arch Ophthalmol. 2005, 123(7):977-87.