Scholars@Duke
Stuart James McKinnon

Stuart James McKinnon

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, Glaucoma
stuart.mckinnon@duke.edu
Box 3802 Med Ctr, Durham, NC 27710
Box 3802 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710

Overview

Stuart J. McKinnon, MD, PhD, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataract. His areas of expertise include open and closed angle glaucomas, neovascular and other secondary glaucomas, and juvenile glaucoma. He is experienced in all forms of anterior segment procedures including laser therapy and filtering surgeries for glaucoma, as well as cataract surgery. He is integrally involved in the teaching of medical students, residents, and fellows. McKinnon's research activities include NIH-sponsored exploration of the basic mechanisms of retinal cell death in glaucoma. Other research areas include neuroprotective glaucoma therapies, non-invasive imaging of glaucoma damage, and relationships between glaucoma and other chronic neurodegenerations such as Alzheimer's disease.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology · 2021 - Present Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Ophthalmology
Associate Professor in Neurobiology · 2015 - Present Neurobiology, Basic Science Departments

Recent Publications

Neuroprotection in Glaucoma

Chapter · January 1, 2024 Neuroprotection is a therapeutic modality that aims to slow or prevent neuronal death. In glaucoma, the target neuron is the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and its axon. The ultimate goal of neuroprotection is to delay or prevent the loss of visual function. ... Cite

Contribution of autophagy to ocular hypertension and neurodegeneration in the DBA/2J spontaneous glaucoma mouse model.

Journal Article Cell Death Discov · 2018 Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by axonal degeneration and retinal ganglion cells loss. Several factors have been postulated to play a role in glaucoma, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) being the best well-known causative factor ... Full text Link to item Cite

Autophagy in the Neuroretina and Angle Region of DBA/2J Mice

Conference INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE · June 1, 2015 Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Neuroinflammation: the role of lymphocytes in glaucoma

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by BrightFocus Foundation · 2014 - 2016

The Retroject Device: A Novel Approach to Glaucoma Drug Delivery

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Retroject, Inc · 2014 - 2015

Autophagic Lysosomal Pathway and Glaucoma

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2015

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Education, Training & Certifications

Louisiana State University · 1990 M.D.
University of New Orleans · 1990 Ph.D.
University of New Orleans · 1986 M.S.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst · 1984 B.S.