Sangita P. Patel MD, PhD

Sangita Patel

Sangita P. Patel
MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Ophthalmology

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cornea & External Eye Disease; Ophthalmology; Vision science

Contact Information
Ross Eye Institute
1176 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: 716-881-7900
Fax: (716)887-2991
sppatel@buffalo.edu


Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD


Professional Summary:

As a clinician-scientist, I provide care for patients with medical and surgical problems of the cornea and perform clinical and laboratory research on corneal diseases. My goal is to discover treatments and preventive strategies for diseases causing corneal swelling (such as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and bullous keratopathy) that currently can only be treated by corneal transplantation.

As a specialist in cornea and external diseases of the eye, I treat a wide range of eye problems and perform a variety of surgical procedures including corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, conjunctival tumor surgery, and transplantation of the artificial cornea when standard corneal transplantation has failed.

One of the most common reasons for corneal transplantation is corneal edema. Edema of the cornea develops from loss of corneal endothelial cells and causes irreversible vision loss in thousands of people yearly. Beyond surgical transplantation of the endothelial cell layer with human donor corneal tissue, no vision-restoring treatments are available.

The most common reason for corneal edema in the United States is Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy. My current research focuses on understanding why Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy is more common in women than men. We are using techniques in clinical epidemiology to study the distribution of Fuchs dystrophy in the population and to identify risk factors for Fuchs dystrophy. In the laboratory, we use techniques in molecular biology and cell physiology to investigate the physiology of the corneal endothelium and to elucidate the roles of estradiol in corneal endothelial health and disease.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Cornea, Refractive Surgery and External Diseases, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School (2009)
  • Residency, Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (2008)
  • Internship, Internal Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital (2005)
  • MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cum Laude (2004)
  • PhD, Physiology, University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Cum Laude (2004)
  • BA, Biology, New York University, Magna Cum Laude (1997)

Employment:

  • Director of Cornea/Anterior Segment Service, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2020-present)
  • Ophthalmologist, 2009 - present, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY (2009-present)
  • Ophthalmologist, 2009 - present, Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY (2009-present)
  • Ophthalmologist, 2009 - present, Millard Fillmore Ambulatory Surgery Center (2009-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
  • Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmology, Veterans Health Administration, Western New York Health Care System (2016-present)
  • Ophthalmologist, 2016 - present, Veterans Health Administration, Western New York Health Care System (2016-present)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2015–2019)
  • Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2013–2014)
  • Research Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2010–2013)
  • Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2009–2010)
  • Post Doctoral Fellow, Physiology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2003–2004)
  • Electron Microscopy Technician, New York University (1995–1997)
  • Summer Intern, Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology (1996)
See all (4 more)

Awards and Honors:

  • Early Career Reviewer (2021)
  • Alcon Research Institute Young Investigator Award (2012)
  • Buswell Fellow, 2010-2013 (2010)
  • John Dyer Award (2008)
  • Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Residents Retreat (2007)
  • E.J. Weisenheimer Award (2004)
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (2003)
  • Dean's Letter of Commendation (1999)
  • Gilbert D. Moore Fellowship, 1997-1999 (1997)
  • New York University Honors Scholar (1996)
  • Phi Beta Kappa (1996)
  • Dean's Honor List, 1994-1996 (1994)
  • Trustee Scholarship, 1994-1996 (1994)
  • Valedictorian (1994)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • February 2018–January 2028
    Investigating the Action and Physiological Role of Slc4a11 in the Cornea
    NIH National Eye Institute
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $3,944,767
  • October 2023–September 2027
    Injuries of the corneal endothelium
    Department of Veterans Affairs, Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $543,160
  • September 2018–July 2024
    NIH K08 (EY029007) Sex disparity and estradiol in Fuchs‘ endothelial corneal dystrophy
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $854,900
  • July 2021–June 2023
    A Study of Estrogen and Body Mass Index in Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $452,925
  • January 2012–January 2013
    Carbonic Anhydrases in Human Corneal Endothelial Transport
    Alcon Research Institute Young Investigator Grant
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $50,000
  • January 2010–January 2013
    Buswell Fellowship, University at Buffalo
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $240,000
  • November 2023
    Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) natural history study
    Design Therapeutics, Inc.
    Role: Principal Investigator

Journal Articles:

See all (27 more)

Evaluative Studies and Case Reports:

  • Schaefer JL, Lema G, Patel SP. (2017) The case of bitemporal visual field defects. EyeNet Magazine (Nov)69-70.

Professional Memberships:

  • The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2010–present)
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology (2005–present)

Presentations:

  • "1. Conjunctival papillomas, 2. Corneal chlorpromazine toxicity" Cornea Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2023)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: the role of estrogen" Ophthalmology Research Day (2023)
  • "1. Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy: the role of estrogen, 2. Conjunctival lymphoproliferative lesions" Cornea Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2023)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: deciphering roles of the oxygen environment and estrogen on the corneal endothelium" Neuroscience Seminar Series (2023)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: the role of estrogen" Ophthalmology Grand Rounds, SUNY Upstate Medical University (2023)
  • "Cornea Grand Rounds: Aniridia and keratoprosthesis" Grand Rounds, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • "IRB Grand Rounds: Human subjects research and the IRB" Grand Rounds: Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2022)
  • "Fuchs dystrophy: Present and Future" Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium (2022)
  • "1. Pentacam and Fuchs dystrophy, 2. Corneal endothelial cell culture conditions" Cornea Grand Rounds: Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2021)
  • "Corneal Tomography in FECD" Cornea Grand Rounds: Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2021)
  • "Conjunctival lesions, Corneal parasites" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2021)
  • "Herpes zoster ophthalmicus and research" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2021)
  • "The oxygen environment of the corneal endothelium" Seminar series, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University at Buffalo (2021)
  • "Corneal transplantation and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2020)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy and research" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2019)
  • "Stevens-Johnson Syndrome" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2019)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2019)
  • "Primary Acquired Melanosis" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: An update on treatment strategies" Clinical Day in Ophthalmology, McMaster University (2018)
  • "Through the lens: An ophthalmology resident cataract surgery elective in India" Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium, University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "International Ophthalmology" Grand Rounds, University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Sex disparity in Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy" Ophthalmology Grand Rounds (SUNY Stony Brook) (2018)
  • "Sex Disparity in Fuchs’ Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy" Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo (2018)
  • "Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy: Past, present and future" Annual Meeting, Optical Society of Western New York (2017)
  • "Swimming and Ophthalmology" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Ligneous conjunctivitis" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2017)
  • "Diabetic retinopathy: A review of the basics" Department of Endocrinology, University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Dry Eye" ATPO Buffalo Continuing Education Conference (2016)
  • "Eye Banking" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Update on meibomian gland dysfunction" Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium, University at Buffalo (2016)
  • "Is your cornea on drugs? Bringing the bedside to the bench" Biology Speaker Series, Buffalo State College (2015)
  • "Ocular Herpes Simplex Virus and Varicella Zoster Virus" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2015)
  • "Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2015)
  • "Ocular Graft vs Host Disease, Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2014)
  • "Carbonic anhydrases in human corneal endothelial transport" Spring Clinical Day, University at Buffalo (2013)
  • "Carbonic anhydrases in human corneal endothelial transport" Alcon Research Institute Symposium (2013)
  • "Cornea" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2013)
  • "Dry eye" Annual Meeting, Optical Society of Western New York (2012)
  • "The corneal endothelium: Diseases, treatments and the future" Annual Meeting, Optical Society of Western New York (2012)
  • "The bull’s eye: Are we off-target for corneal endothelial cell physiology?" 4th Annual SUNY Eye Institute Meeting (2012)
  • "Is your cornea on drugs?" Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium, University at Buffalo (2012)
  • "Deciphering mechanisms of fluid transport in the cornea" Spring Clinical Day, University at Buffalo (2012)
  • "Scleral lenses, Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2012)
  • "The molecular basis to fluid transport in the cornea" Spring Clinical Day, University at Buffalo (2011)
  • "Cornea" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2010)
  • "Corneal Storage in Optisol GS: Molecular Changes in the Endothelium" Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium, University at Buffalo (2010)
  • "Cornea" Grand Rounds, Department of Ophthalmology, University at Buffalo (2010)
  • "Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review of the Basics" Grand Rounds, Department of Internal Medicine, Buffalo General Hospital (2010)
See all (38 more)

Service Activities:

  • NIH Small Business: Aging and Development, Auditory, Vision and Low Vision Technologies – NV (12) Special Emphasis Panel Study Section; ad hoc study section member (this section has no standing members) (2023)
  • Eye and Vision; ad hoc reviewer (2023)
  • Life; ad hoc reviewer (2023)
  • Annual Meeting Planning Committee, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; elected member for the clinician-scientist seat for the Cornea section (2023–2026)
  • 2023 Annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Poster Session Moderator (2023)
  • Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology; ad hoc reviewer (2023)
  • Medical Student Research Forum, JSMBS, University at Buffalo; Judge (2023)
  • Scientific Reports; ad hoc Manuscript Reviewer (2022)
  • Ophthalmology Interest Group Fall Physician Panel; Panelist (2022)
  • Women’s Physician-Scientist Panel; Panelist (2022)
  • VA, Scientific Voting Member of Subcommittee on Research Safety; Scientific Voting Member (2022–present)
  • Day of Community Service for incoming first year medical students, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Faculty Participant (2022)
  • Institutional Planning & Policy Team, Collective Action Initiative on Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Member (2022)
  • ad hoc Committee on Faculty Burnout Prevention; Member (2021–present)
  • Team leader for the Day of Community Service for incoming first year medical students, University at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Team leader (2021)
  • NIH PED1 Study Section; Early Career Reviewer (2021)
  • Judge for high school exhibits, Tri-County Science & Technology Fair, NY; Judge for high school exhibits (2021)
  • Journal of Clinical Medicine; ad hoc reviewer (2021–2022)
  • PLOS Global Public Health; ad hoc reviewer (2021–2022)
  • Ophthalmology Science; ad hoc Reviewer (2021)
  • Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology; ad hoc reviewer (2021)
  • Eye & Contact Lens; ad hoc reviewer (2021)
  • Pre-residency Fellowship Program; Director (2021–present)
  • Annual Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium; Organizer (2020–2022)
  • Director of Cornea/Anterior Segment Service; Director of Cornea/Anterior Segment Service (2020–present)
  • Volunteer, Kindergarten Classroom, Heim Elementary School, Getzville, NY Teaching about eye science and eye health; Volunteer, Kindergarten Classroom (2019–2020)
  • Cornea; ad hoc reviewer (2019–2022)
  • The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance; Ad hoc reviewer (2019)
  • Faculty Council; Representative for the Department of Ophthalmology (2018–present)
  • Ethics and Regulations in Human Research Committee, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Member; provide input on ethical issues in human subjects research in ophthalmology Co-moderator of Nov. 11, 2020 webinar on Ethical Issues in Human Subjects Eye Research when Responding to a Crisis: The COVID-19 Pandemic Co-moderator of Sept. 22, 2021 webinar on COVID-19 one-year later: Ethical issues in human subjects eye research when responding to a crisis; Committee Member (2018–2021)
  • Data in Brief; Editorial board member (2018–present)
  • Ophthalmologist, performed cataract surgery for the needy at the D. D. Netra Seva Foundation, Kota, Rajasthan, India; Ophthalmologist (2017)
  • Medical Student Appeals Committee, Faculty Member; Committee member (2017–2019)
  • International Ophthalmology; ad hoc reviewer (2017–2022)
  • Fight for Sight; Scientific Review Committee Member (2017–present)
  • Supervisor, International Resident Rotation in India; Role: researched the value of this rotation, traveled to India and supervised the first resident on this rotation, supervisor/coordinator for subsequent trips for our residents; Supervisor (2017–present)
  • Volunteer, Kindergarten Classroom, Heim Elementary School, Getzville, NY Teaching about eye science and eye health; Volunteer, Kindergarten Classroom (2016–2017)
  • Co-Organizer, Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium; Co-Organizer, Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium (2016)
  • Ophthalmology; ad hoc reviewer (2015–2022)
  • Faculty mentor for Ophthalmology Resident(s) needing academic support; Counselor (2015–2017)
  • Representing the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences on the University at Buffalo Faculty Senate; Senator (2015–2017)
  • Faculty Practice Management Plan Governing Board, Alternate, Representing Department of Ophthalmology; Department of Ophthalmology alternate representative (2015–2016)
  • ARVOConnect Champions Group, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Committee Member (2015)
  • Medical Research Council, UK; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2015)
  • Diversity and Inclusion Advocate, Representing Department of Ophthalmology; Representative for the Department of Ophthalmology (2015–present)
  • VA, Alternate Member of Subcommittee on Research Safety; Committee Member (2014–2022)
  • Experimental Biology and Medicine; Reviewer (2014–2016)
  • Board Member of the Buffalo Eye Bank Foundation; Board Member (2014–2015)
  • Muscle and Nerve; Reviewer (2014–2015)
  • Members Networking Group, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Committee Member (2014)
  • SUNY Brain Network of Excellence, Collaboration Pilot Grants Program; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2014)
  • IRB Proposal Scientific Review Veterans Administration; Other (2013–2020)
  • Cornea Fellowship Interviews; Participant (2013–2016)
  • Experimental Eye Research; ad hoc reviewer (2013–present)
  • School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Careers in Medicine Program; Physician Advisor (2012–2017)
  • The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2010)
  • Co-Organizer, Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium; Co-Organizer, Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium (2010)
  • Participant, Residency Interviews; Participant, Residency Interviews (2009–present)
  • Reviewer, Digital Journal of Ophthalmology; Reviewer (2009–2011)
  • Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science; Ad hoc reviewer (2009–present)
  • Israel Science Foundation; Ad Hoc Reviewer (2004)

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Contact Information

Ross Eye Institute
1176 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14209
Phone: 716-881-7900
Fax: (716)887-2991
sppatel@buffalo.edu

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD