Andrew W. Eller, MD

  • Professor of Ophthalmology
  • Director, Ocular Trauma Service
  • Retina and Vitreous Services
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

A Conversation With Andrew Eller

 

Andrew W. Eller, MD, is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in retina and vitreous diseases.  Dr. Eller was educated at the Pennsylvania State University and obtained his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine (formerly Hahnemann Medical College).  He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, and obtained fellowship training in vitreoretinal diseases with the Retina Associates, Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation, and Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary.  He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the Retina Society and the American Society of Retinal Specialists.  He is the Director of the Ocular Trauma Service and a member of the Retina Service. His special interests are in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, ocular trauma, and AIDS-related eye diseases.

Academic Affiliation

1997 to Present
Medical Director 
UPMC Eye Care Network

1992 to Present
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Retina & Vitreous Service
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
The Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh
203 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

1985 - 1992
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Retina & Vitreous Service
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
The Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh
203 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

1986 - 1990
Director of Residency Training 
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, PA

1986 - present
Director of Retina Clinic
Eye & Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA

1985
Chief Fellow 
Retina Associates

Education & Training

  • Pennsylvania State University, Major: Biology 1970-1973
  • Pahlavi University, Medical School; Shiraz, Iran 1973-1976
  • Hahnemann Medical College; Philadelphia, PA Doctor of Medicine 1976-1979
  • Presbyterian-University of Pennsylvania Medical Center Philadelphia,Pennsylvania Internship 1979-1980
  • Wills Eye Hospital Department of Ophthalmology Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Residency 1980-1983
  • Vitreoretinal Diseases, Retina Associates, Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation and Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Boston, Massachusetts Fellowship 1983-1985

Representative Publications

Shields JA, Augsburger JJ, Bernardino V Jr, Eller AW, Kulczycki E: Melanocytoma of the Ciliary Body and Iris. Am J Ophthalmol 89: 632-635, 1980.

Larson BC, Kremer FB, Eller AW, Bernardino VB Jr: Quantitated Trauma Following Radial Keratotomy in Rabbits. Ophthalmology 90: 660-667, 1983.

Eller AW, Bernardino VB Jr: Blue Nevi of the Conjunctiva. Ophthalmology 90: 1469-1471, 1983.

Soong HK, Eller AW, Hirose T, Kenyon KR: In Situ Actin Distribution in Excised Retrolental Membranes in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmol 103: 1553-1556, 1985.

Eller AW, Jabbour NM, Hirose T, Schepens CL: Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Association of a Persistent Hyaloid Artery. Ophthalmology 94: 444-448, 1987.

Rehkopf P, Warnicki J, Friberg TF, Eller AW: Fluorescein Angiography Using Computer Image Processing Techniques. Retina 7: 246-251, 1987.

Jabbour NM, Eller AW, Hirose T, Schepens CL, Liberfarb R: Stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity. Prognostic Value of Morphologic Findings. Ophthalmology 94: 1640-1645, 1987. 

Friberg TR, Eller AW: Pneumatic Repair of Primary and Secondary Retinal Detachments Using a Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscope Laser Delivery System. Ophthalmology 95: 187-193, 1988.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Multicenter Trial of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity: Preliminary Results. Arch Ophthalmol 106: 471-479, 1988.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity: Three-Month Outcome. Arch Ophthalmology 108: 195-204, 1990.

Friberg TR, Eller AW: Serous retinal detachment resembling central serous chorioretinopathy following organ transplantation. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmology 228: 305-309, 1990. 

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity: One-Year Outcome, Structure and Function. Arch Ophthalmol 108: 1408, 1990.

Gardner TW, Eller AW, Friberg TR: Reduction of severe macular edema in eyes with poor vision after panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 229: 323-328, 1991.

Eller AW, Friberg TR: Panretinal Photocoagulation with the Indirect Ophthalmoscope Laser System Under General Anesthesia. Ophthalmic Laser Therapy. 3 (4): 217, 1990.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Incidence and Early Course of Retinopathy of Prematurity. Ophthalmology. 98: 1628-1640, 1991. 

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Correlation of Visual Function with Posterior Retinal Structure in Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmology 110: 625-631, 1992.

Eller AW, Gardner TW, D'Antonio J: Survey of Intravitreal Silicone Oil Usage in the United States. Ophthalmology. 99: 1174-1176, 1992.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Ocular Cosmesis in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmol 110, 1992.

Friberg TR, Eller AW: Prediction of Visual Recovery After Scleral Buckling of Macula-off Retinal Detachments. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 114: 715-722, 1992.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Prognostic Factors on the Natural Course of Retinopathy of Premataurity. Ophthalmology. 100: 230-237, 1993.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Multicenter Trial of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmology 111: 339-344, 1993.

Kowalski RP, Karenchak LM, Eller AW: The Role of Ciprofloxacin in Endophthalmitis Therapy. Am. J. Ophthalmol. 116 (6): 695-699, 1993

Donahue SP, Kowalski RP, Eller AW, DeVaro JM, Jewart BH: Empiric Treatment of Endophthalmitis. Are Aminoglycosides Necessary ? Arch Ophthalmology 112: 45-47, 1994. 

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Natural Ocular Outcome of Premature Birth and Retinopathy. Arch Ophthalmology 112, 903-912, 1994.

Donahue SP, Greven CM, Zoravleff JJ, Eller AW, Nguyen MH, Peacock Jr. JE, Wagener MM, Yu VL: Intraocular Candidiasis in Patients with Candidemia, Clinical Implications from a Prospective Multicenter Study. Ophthalmology. 101: 1302-1309, 1994.

Eller AW, Adams EA, Fanous MA: Anterior Chamber Maintainer for Drainage of Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage. Amer. Journal of Ophthalmology 118: 258-259, 1994.

Day R, Gorin MB, Eller AW: Prevalence of Lens Changes in Ukrainian Children Residing Around Chernobyl. Health Physics 68:632-642, 1995.

Goshorn EB, Hoover DL, Eller AW, Friberg TR, Jarrett WH2nd, Sorr EM. Subretinal Neovascularization in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. 32:178-82, 1995,

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Correlation of retinopathy in fellow eyes in the cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity study. Arch Ophthalmology 113: 469-473, 1995.

Richard-James Silicone Oil Study Group. Silicone Oil in Repair of Retinal Detachments Caused by Necrotizing Retinitis in HIV Infection. Arch Ophthalmology 113:1401-1409, 1995.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Early Retinal Vessel Development and Iris Vessel Dilation as Factors in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmology 114: 150-154, 1996.

Eller AW, Barad RF: Miyake analysis of anterior vitrectomy techniques. J Cataract Refractive Surgery 22:213-217, 1996.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Visual Acuity of Eyes after Vitrectomy for Retinopathy of Prematurity: Follow-up at 5 1/2 years. Ophthalmology 103: 595-600, 1996.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Visual Fields Measured with Double-arc Perimetry in Eyes with Threshold Retinopathy of Prematurity from the Cryotherapy for Retinoapthy of Prematurity Trial. Ophthalmology 103: 1432-1437, 1996.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Racial Variation in Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmology 115: 604-608, 1997.

Kowalski RP, Karenchak LM, Warren BB, Eller AW. Time-kill profiles of Enterococcus to antibiotics used for intravitreal therapy. Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers 29: 295-299, 1998

Eller AW, Bontempo FA, Faruki H, Hassett AC. Peripheral retinal neovascularization associated with the Factor V Leiden mutation. Amer Journal of Ophthalmol 126:146-149, 1998.

Richard-James Silicone Oil Study Group. Azen SP, Scott IU, Flynn HW Jr. et al. Silicone Oil in the Repair of Complex Retinal Detachments, A Prospective Observational Study. Ophthalmology 105:1587-1597, 1998.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Incidence of Ophthalmologic Interventions in Children with Birth Weights Less Than 1251 Grams, Results Through 5 1/2 Years. Ophthalmology 105:1621-1627, 1998.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Design Paper, The age-related eye disease study (AREDS): design implications AREDS Report No. 1. Controlled Clinical Trials 20:573-600, 1999.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. The age-related eye disease study (AREDS): A clinical trial of Zinc and antioxidants, AREDS report No. 2. Journal of Nutrition, 130:1516S-1519S, 2000.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Involution of Retinopathy of Prematurity. Arch Ophthalmology 118:645-649, 2000.

Eller AW, Mah FS, Friberg TR: Migration of silicone oil into the brain: a complication of silicone oil for retinal tamponade. Amer J Ophthalmol 129:685-688, 2000.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Risk Factors Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration. A Case-control Study in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: Age-Related Eye Disease Study Report Number 3. Ophthalmology 107:2224-2232, 2000.

Friberg TR, Eller AW: Laser pneumatic retinopexy for repair of recurrent retinal detachment after failed scleral buckle - Ten years experience. Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers 32:13-18, 2001.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. AREDS Cataract Grading System. Age-Related Eye Disease Study Report Number 4. Amer J Ophthalmol 131:167-175, 2001.

Cooperative Group, Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. Does Cryotherapy Affect Refractive Error? Results from Treated versus Control Eyes in The Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Trial. Ophthalmology 108:343-347, 2001.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. Risk factors associated with age-related nuclear and cortical cataract: A case-control study in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, AREDS Report Number 5. Ophthalmology 108:1400-1408, 2001.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. AREDS Report Number 8. Arch Ophthalmol 119:1417-1436, 2001.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group. A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, and beta carotene for age-related cataract and vision loss. AREDS Report Number 9. Arch Ophthalmol 119:1439-1452, 2001.

Weeks DE, Conley YP, Tsai HJ, Mah TS, Rosenfeld PJ, Paul TO, Eller AW, Morse LS, Dailey JP, Ferrell RE, and Gorin MB: Age-related maculopathy: An expanded genome-wide scan with evidence of susceptibility loci within the 1q31 and 17q25 regions. Amer J Ophthalmol 132:682-692, 2001.

Research Interests

1984 - 1985 
Coordinator, Silicone Oil 
Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Study, Eye Research Institute, 
Boston, Massachusetts

1985 - 1987 
Co-investigator, 
Cryo-ROP Study
Co-investigator, 
Evaluation of Statil in diabetic patients with peripheral symmetrical polyneuropathy

1987 - present 
Co-investigator, 
Cryo-ROP Follow-Up Study
The Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh

1990 - present 
Co-investigator, 
Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) The Eye & Ear Institute of 
Pittsburgh

1989 - 1996 
Co-investigator
Richard James Silicone Oil Study

1989-90 
Co-investigator, 
Study on the effect of Antihistamines in the retinal vasculature in diabetics 
The Eye & Ear Institute of Pittsburgh

1989 - 1996 
Co-investigator, 
Efficiacy & Safety of 
Tolrestat in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

1990 - 1993 
Co-investigator, 
Ocular Involvement in Hospitalized Patients with Candidemia

1990 - 1993 
Co-investigator, 
Pneumatic Retinopexy II - Clinical Trial

1991 - 1992 
Principal Clinical Investigator, 
Prevelance of Cataracts in Radiation Exposed Children - Chernobyl Children's Relief Fund Project

1995 - present 
Co-investigator, 
Merck Study for Protease Inhibitors in HIV

1996 - present 
Co-investigator, 
Viral Activation Transfusion Study in HIV

1996 
Principle Investigator, 
A randomized comparison of two dosage schedules of intravitreal ISIS 2922 for patients with advanced cytomegalovirus retinitis

1996 - present 
Co-investigator, 
Prophylactic Diode Laser for the Prevention of Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

1998 
Co-investigator, 
Atrovastatin Study for Diabetic Retinopathy

1998 
Co-investigator, 
A 5-week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 3 Dosages of Pregabalin (75, 300, and 600 mg/day) for Treatment of Patients with Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

1999 
Co-investigator, 
An 8-week Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Monotherapy Trial of Pregabalin for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

Research Grants

2000-Present
Co-Investigator,
A randomized, controlled study on the efficacy and safety of Sandostatin LAR in the therapy of patients with moderately severe or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or low risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). 
Total three-year budget $274,483. Novartis.

2000-Present
Use of a non-mydriatic panoramic imaging device. 
Optos Corporation
$55,000.

1999-Present
Co-Investigator 
A Phase III randomized, multi-center, double masked, placebo controlled parallel group study with Tin Ethyl Etiopuryltin photodynamic therapy in the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration. 
Miravant Medical Technologies, Estimated $100,000 x 3 years

1997-Present
Co-Investigator 
Prophylactic Diode Laser Photocoagulation for the Prevention of Choroidal Neovascularization in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. 
IRB No. 950505. 
Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, $50,000/year x 3 years.

1990-2004
Co-Investigator 
Age Related Eye Disease Study. 
National Eye Institute. 
Multicenter clinical trial of vitamins and micronutrients on macular degeneration and cataract. 
Contract number NIY-EY-89-01. 
Direct costs $307,000/year x 10 years, 5 year extension granted.

1989-1995
Co-Investigator 
Efficacy & Safety of Tolrestat (AY-27,773) in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy in Non-Insulin Dependent (Type II) Diabetic Patients. 
Protocol number 81-085-CR) 
Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceutical
$90,000

1991
Co-Principal Investigator 
Pittsburgh-Chernobyl Collaborative Study of Ophthalmic Complications in Ukranian Children - Funded by the Tri-State Committee of the Children's Chernobyl Relief Fund 
$150,000.00 with non-monetary contributions by Kodak and Topcon