WVU :: School of Medicine :: Physiology and Pharmacology

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

J. Vernon Odom

Professor (primary appointment with Ophtalmology)

Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina, 1978
Postdoctoral Fellowships: Case Western Reserve University 1978
University of California at Berkeley 1979, University of Florida 1980-81
University of Amsterdam

Phone: 304-293-2561
Email: jodom@hsc.wvu.edu

Research Interests

Assessment of visual functions
Binocular Interactions
Parallel streams of human visual information processing
Low Vision
Vision Related Quality of Life

Description of Research

I am interested in understanding and modeling fundamental visual processes and their development over the lifespan. Processes, which are of special interest, include binocular interactions and visual acuity. Most often I have used a combination of behavioral and electrophysiological methods to understand these processes. These days I am expanding my efforts and am collaborating on the use of functional magnetic resonance techniques as well.

In understanding the relevance of visual abilities in clinical conditions I have begun to develop a second research area in assessment of quality of life in populations with visual impairments.

Recent Publications

Odom, J.V., Leys, M.J., Yates, J.T., Green, M., Huang, W., Charlton, J., Reed, J. and Di, B-Z. Effects of external noise on contrast thresholds in normal patients and patients with early glaucoma: Comparison of behavioral and electrophysiological thresholds. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 1998, 39 (ARVO Suppl.), S24.

Miller, M, Field, M., Goodman, I., Harton, P., Hicks, L. Johnson, A. Lawson, J. Millechia, R, Odom, V., Stephens, S. and Brown, P. Effects of location and orientation on acuity in 2 point discrimination in humans and cats: relations to properties of somatosensory system. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 1998, 24 (part 1, #170.15), 435.

Odom, J.V. and Charlier, J. The pupillary light reflex and saccadic suppression: A comparison of normal adults and adolescents. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 1999, 40 (ARVO Suppl.), S59.

Schwartz, T.L., Bartlett, R.M., Akor, C., Coakley, R. and Odom, J.V. Assessment of Parents= Perceptions of Large Print Utilization in School-aged Children. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2000, 41 (ARVO Supplement), S473.

Bell, J.A., Charlton, J.F., Kim, J.M., Odom, J.V. and Hobbs, G.R. In vitro stability of mitomycin-c after reconstitution. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 2000, 41 (ARVO Supplement), S576.