Washington University Physicians - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Physician Quick Search
By Name:
By Specialty:
Your Healthy Update

Like us on Facebook
Text Size: S M L
Search

Share

Focus on Edward M. Barnett, MD, PhD

Edward M. Barnett, MD, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences. His clinical focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of adult glaucomas and cataracts.

Dr. Barnett sees patients at the Center for Advanced Medicine, 4921 Parkview Place, Suite C, 12th floor.

FOR AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE PHONE 314 362-3937.

What happened in the course of schooling to make you choose your specialty?
I was getting my PhD in neuroscience at the same time I was going to medical school – so I was very interested in neurons and the brain. I found ophthalmology fascinating because the eye is the only part of the body where you can look in and see neurons.

I also had a chance to do some delicate surgery in the laboratory as part of my research, and I enjoyed doing surgical procedures under a microscope. When doing my clinical rotations during medical school, I liked the mix of seeing patients in the clinic and doing the intricate surgery that comes with ophthalmology. I also discovered that you could really make a big difference in people’s lives.

What brought you to Washington University?

After my ophthalmology residency at the University of Iowa, I came to Washington University to do my glaucoma fellowship because the ophthalmology department here has a very rich tradition in studying and treating glaucoma. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to train under Dr. Michael Kass, a renowned glaucoma specialist, who is now chairman of the department. I had a fantastic year here and my family and I were very happy during that time. After my fellowship, I took a job at the University of Pittsburgh, but when the opportunity to come back to join the Washington University faculty came up a year later, I jumped at it.

Which aspect of your practice is most interesting?

The thing that is most interesting about my specialty is that it is so dependent on technology. The instruments, imaging devices and surgical procedures are constantly changing. There is always a new way to do things, to assess patients or perform surgeries. These advances progress rather quickly in ophthalmology, so it never gets boring.

What new developments in your field are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about the new surgical procedures available to treat glaucoma. One great example is a new procedure that my associate, Dr. Carla Siegfried, and I have been doing for almost a year -- it is called trabeculotomy and is performed using an instrument called the Trabectome™. We’re very excited about this new technique because it offers a much less invasive way to surgically treat glaucoma. Until recently, patients who needed surgery for glaucoma had no choice but to undergo one of several invasive procedures to create an alternative way for fluid to drain out of the eye to lower the eye pressure. With trabeculotomy, we can lower eye pressure by enhancing the flow along the normal drainage pathways in the eye.

 If you want to make an analogy to heart surgery -- it’s like the difference between having angioplasty versus having open heart bypass surgery. It is a simpler, less invasive procedure with fewer risks and complications. Therefore, we are able to use it earlier in the disease process than we would standard glaucoma surgeries. In addition, the recovery time is reduced to about one week– instead of 4-6 weeks for a typical glaucoma procedure. The shortened recovery time is comparable to a standard cataract surgery. It’s always exciting to have a new procedure or new treatment to offer patients.

Are there some patients that would not be candidates for this procedure?

Yes. For patients that have very advanced disease – which are many of the patients that are referred to us at the university – standard glaucoma surgeries are still preferred. Trabeculotomy with the Trabectome provides an option for patients who have early-to-moderate glaucoma and previously might not have even been considered to be surgical candidates. Also, it’s not for every type of glaucoma. The majority of glaucoma that we see in the U.S is called “open angle glaucoma”, and this new procedure is used for that type of glaucoma. But there are other, less common types, called “angle closure glaucomas” that cannot be treated with this method because the drainage tissue is already scarred closed.

At what age do you recommend people start getting screened for glaucoma?

Generally that depends on what your risk factors are. If you are African-American, or Hispanic, you have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. The risk of developing the most common form of glaucoma also increases with age, particularly after age 40. For anybody who has risk factors, having an annual exam after age 40 is recommended. For those with a strong family history of the disease, screening should probably take place on entering adulthood. The problem that we see with some people who are at risk for the disease is that they don’t have a reason to have their eyes examined, or they are seen just for glasses and they’re not examined closely for glaucoma. For people that know they have risk factors, it’s important that they go out of their way to get a full exam and have glaucoma ruled out.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from a small town in Wisconsin, called Boscobel. I believe it is French for “beautiful woods”. It’s a very scenic area on the Wisconsin River about 30 miles upstream from Prairie du Chien, which is where the river flows into the Mississippi. My wife is also from a small town in Wisconsin -- about 100 miles from where I grew up.

Is there a particular award or achievement that is most gratifying to you?

The thing that is most gratifying to me is that I am in a position here at Washington University where I can do all of the things I’ve wanted to do in my career. In addition to being a busy clinician and surgeon, I have the opportunity to do basic science research – the main reason I got my PhD was to enable me to be a clinician scientist. I have been active in clinical research, as well as getting to teach residents, fellows and medical students. I am particularly proud that I have been able to wear all those hats successfully, because that is what I trained for and what drew me here.

It doesn’t sound like you have much free time, but what do you do when you are not working?

I spend most of my free time with my wife and children. I get to attend a lot of concerts as my three children are active and talented musicians. Music is very important to me and I still play drums when I have the time. My hobbies include running – I’m a very avid runner and I’ve recently taken up swimming as well. Exercise is very important to me.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

This is funny, because I recently ran into the very doctor who gave me this advice: “When you feel like working, work. And when you don’t feel like working, go home.” One way of restating that is to put yourself in a position to be productive at work. When you’ve reached the point where you can no longer be longer productive, it’s time to go home.

What lifestyle change could most benefit our health?

I truly think if doctors could prescribe one pill – it would be exercise. Exercise is an important part of taking an active role in your own health. It can cure or prevent several diseases. It is as important to your mental health as it is to your physical health. So if there is one thing that doctors should be promoting, it is exercise.

As far as glaucoma is concerned, the main thing is to have eye exams – particularly if you are at high risk. There is no particular lifestyle change, per se, that has been shown to help with glaucoma. There is no change in diet or anything in particular that you do or don’t do that can prevent or cure glaucoma -- other than being compliant with your eye drops and following up with appointments. It’s not a disease that has a clear lifestyle component like heart disease does.

See All Featured Physicians
Washington University Physicians are the medical staff of  Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Children's Hospital - St. Louis Employment   About Us   Top Stories   For Your Protection      Site Map
Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine
Copyright 2013 Washington University School of Medicine