معرفی
Dr. Susan Cotter is a Professor of Optometry and Associate Dean for Research at the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University. She is a pediatric optometrist and clinician-scientist with extensive experience in vision research and clinical practice. Dr. Cotter serves as the co-Chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), a clinical research network of 350+ pediatric optometrists and ophthalmologists funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye Institute (NEI).
Education:
- BS, Loyola University, Chicago
- OD, Illinois College of Optometry
- MS, University of Southern California
- Residency in Children's Vision, SCCO
Dr. Cotter's research focuses on clinical management strategies for amblyopia, strabismus, convergence insufficiency, and childhood refractive error. She has served in leadership positions for major NEI-funded studies including the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study (MEPEDS), the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Refractive Error (CLEERE), and the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) series. Her work bridges clinical practice with scientific investigation to improve evidence-based pediatric vision care.
Analysis of Dr. Cotter's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on pediatric vision disorders, particularly amblyopia and strabismus. Her research spans clinical trials, longitudinal studies, and innovative diagnostic approaches. A notable trend is her leadership in large multi-center studies examining long-term outcomes of various treatments for pediatric eye conditions. Her work increasingly incorporates advanced statistical methods to identify predictive factors for treatment success and recurrence.
Scientific Awards:
- Excellence in Optometric Education Award from the California Optometric Association
- Women in Optometry's Theia Award of Excellence in Education
- Outstanding Faculty of the Year from 18 third-year optometry classes
- Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
- COVD Skeffington awardee
- Illinois College of Optometry Alumna of the Year
- Glenn Fry Medal for Distinguished Achievements in Vision Research
- 2019 Glenn A. Fry Lecture Award from the American Academy of Optometry
Dr. Cotter serves as President of the American Academy of Optometry, where she is a Diplomate in Pediatric Optometry, Binocular Vision, and Perception. She is a member of the Scientific Bureau of the World Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and served as Co-Chair of the Public Health & Disparities Research Panel for the NEI's Strategic Plan. Her research has been consistently funded by the National Eye Institute, supporting large-scale clinical investigations that have shaped current practices in pediatric vision care.
As co-Chair of PEDIG, Dr. Cotter leads a major research network conducting clinical investigations on pediatric eye disorders. She has also contributed to the field through her editorship of the textbook 'Clinical Applications of Prisms' and her extensive publication record of over 200 peer-reviewed articles spanning more than three decades of research.
