James Pitzer Gills, III, MD and Joy Gills Professor of Ophthalmology

Medical School

University of Michigan

Residency

Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital

Fellowship

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard

Background

Paul Lee, MD, JD, provides referral and consultative evaluation, management, and surgery of complicated adult glaucoma. He is experienced in all forms of glaucoma surgery, including tube implant, laser, and filtering surgery. Lee has a special interest in enhancing patients’ understanding of, and participation in, their own care.

Clinical Interests

Lee’s clinical interests include consultation and management of adult glaucoma, particularly complicated cases. Special interests in advanced surgical techniques for previously operated eyes, patients with corneal transplants, and neovascular glaucoma.

Phone

919.681.2793

Fax

919.681.8267

Research Interests

The premise of our health care system is to provide the most effective care to each patient. We use eye care as an initial model for enhancing our ability to achieve this goal. Our research methods range from qualitative interviews and focus groups to primary quantitative data collection with patients to development of measurements to secondary analysis of large national databases, with strong collaborative efforts at Duke and elsewhere. Current areas of emphasis include:

•  Health care providers. 

• Improving patient education and understanding of their health, diseases and care

• Understanding patterns and factors of utilization of health and social care services 

• Assessing the legal system’s roles in structuring our care delivery system.

Current funding includes grants from the National Institute of Aging, the National Eye Institute, the Glaucoma Research Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, and other sources.

Representative Publications 

1. McGwin G Jr, McNeal S, Owsley C, Girkin C, Epstein D, Lee PP.  Statins and Other Cholesterol-Lowering Medications and the Presence of Glaucoma.  Arch Ophthalmol. 2004 Jun; 122(6):822-6
2. Sloan FA, Brown DS, Carlisle ES, Picone GA, Lee PP. Monitoring Visual Status: Why Patients Do or Do Not Comply with Practice Guidelines. Health Serv Res. 2004 Oct; 39(5):1429-48.
3. Picone G, Brown DS, Sloan FA, Lee PP. Do Routine Eye Exams Improve Vision? International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics. 2004; 4:43-63.
4. Wilkinson CP, Ferris FL, Klein RE, Lee PP, Agardh CD, David M, Dills D, Kampik A, Pararajasegaram R, Verdaguer T, for the Global diabetic Retinopathy Project Group. Proposed International Disease Severity Scales for Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmology. 2003 Sep; 110(9): 1677-82. Review.
5. Dawn AG, Lee PP. Patient Satisfaction Instruments Used at Academic Medical Centers: Results of a Survey. Am J Med Qual. 2003 Nov-Dec; 18(6):265-9.
6. Lee PP, Feldman ZW, Ostermann J, Brown DS, Sloan FA. Longitudinal Rates of Annual Eye Examinations of Persons with Diabetes and Chronic Eye diseases. Ophthalmology 2003 Oct:110(10):1952-9.
7. Lee PP, Feldman ZW, Ostermann J, Brown DS, Sloan FA. Longitudinal Prevalence of Major Eye Diseases. Arch Ophthalmol 2003 Sep; 121(9): 1303-10.
8. Lee PP, Smith JP, Kington R. The Unique Relationships of Self-Rated Vision and Hearing with Functional Status and Well-Being Among Seniors 70 and Older. Am J Ophthalmol 1999; 127:447-52.
9. Lee PP, Meredith L, Whitcup S, Spritzer K, Hays RD. A Comparison of Self-Reported Utilization of Ophthalmic Care for Diabetes in Managed Care Versus Fee for Service. Retina 1198: 18:356-59.
10. Girkin CA, McGwin G Jr, McNeal SF, Lee PP, Owsley C. Hypothyroidism and the Development of Open-Angle Glaucoma in a Male Population. Ophthalmology 2004 Sep; 111(9): 1649-52.