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 attends Law School at UVA, Rob is majoring in geology at UA,
and Johnny attends high school and studies piano with Yakov Kasman.
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. Focus group to
investigate office practices related to preschool vision screening have recently
been completed, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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. A control group of children is currently
being recruited with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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 amblyopia.
Additional Information:
Dr. Marsh-Tootle is an active member of VOSH
International (Volunteers for Optometric Service to Humanity).
Recent Publications:
Marsh-Tootle, WL. Funkhouser E, Frazier MG,
Crenshaw K Wall TC. Knowledge, Attitudes and Environment: What Primary Care
Providers Say about Preschool Vision Screening. Optom Vis Sci. 2010
Feb;87(2):104-11Quantitative pediatric vision screening in primary care settings
in Alabama. Accepted for publication in Optometry and Vision Science, March,
2008.
Repka MX, Kraker RT, Beck RW, Birch
E, Cotter SA, Holmes JM, Hertle RW, Hoover DL, Klimek DL, Marsh-Tootle WL,
Scheiman MM, Suh DW, Weakley DR, and the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator
Group. Treatment of severe amblyopia with atropine: Results from two randomized
clinical trials. Volume 13, Issue 1, Page e9 (February 2009)
Marsh-Tootle WL, Dong LM, Hyman L, Gwiazda J, Weise, KN, Dias L, Fern K and the
COMET Group. Myopia progression in children wearing spectacles versus switching
to contact lenses. Optom and Vis Sci 2009,86:741-747.
Marsh-Tootle WL, Wall TC, Quantitative pediatric vision screening in primary
care settings in Alabama. Optometry and Vision Science 2008; 85(9):849-856.
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.