1. Uveal Melanoma in Young
Females, NC and AL
Michael W Brennan, MD
NC Society of Eye Physicians and
Surgeons
International Envoy, American Academy
of Ophthalmology

2. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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Financial Disclosure
 No financial disclosure or conflict of interest

3. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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Huntersville, NC
 Affluent Charlotte suburb with area population 150k
 Three girls, Hopewell HS 2001-2008 girls diagnosed under age 25
 State investigation with CDC, Environmental Engineer consultant
failed to identify an associative cause—concluded NO Cluster
 Referral patterns and Registry restrictions related to late awareness of
the professional community
 NO Excuse!!

4. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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OUR RESPONSE
 Patient, Family and Community “Care”
• Physician –Patient
• Support Group/5Ks; **Media attention
• Complementary “Dilated” Exams {media driven}
 NC Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Re-
engagement
• State DHHS and County {Registry, Epidemiology}
• UNC School of Public Health, Duke and Wills Oncology
• State Legislature---*** Grant to Huntersville Council
 National/International Ophthalmic Oncologists

5. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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Professional Partnerships
 Maintain Contact/Collaboration
• Community -- Patients and Families
• Media, Schools, County Health, DHHS
• **Advocacy mobilized, focused
 Grant Elements
• Environmental Assessment including
Geospatial Analysis ---Geodesy, INC
• Genetic Complement, including Counseling,
Germline and Genome Sequencing, Columbia
• Face to Face with Patients, Families, Town
Council, Media

6. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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Geospatial Analysis

7. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY WWW.AAO.ORG
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Findings
 Geospatial Analysis
• Distribution of total
population away from
suspect High School
• NO definitive
environmental toxic
intersection
• Community will expand
and continue Oversight
 Genetics
• No known family history
• All BAP1 negative
 Genetic counseling
• Most appreciated
interaction
 Genome Sequencing —
consents obtained, may
focus on young, female

8. WWW.AAO.ORG
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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
PROGRESS
 Registry enhancements
 Research empowerment
 Dilated Eye Exams
 Media {traditional and **social} Influence
 More collaborative Ophthalmology/Oncology
Community, national and International
 Continued Support Group interaction and
Friendship with CURE OM

9. Surprise—2d “unique
population –Auburn, University
Connections:
Young, female
“Raptors”
Auburn Ware Eagle
Huntersville Aviary