Phone:

812-855-0520

Email:

annatich@iu.edu

Website:

https://optometry.iu.edu/patient-care/services/dry-eye-clinic.html

Biography

Dr. Anna Ablamowicz Tichenor received her OD from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN and her PhD in Vision Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She joined the Indiana University School of Optometry as an Assistant Scientist in 2019 and transitioned to a tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2023. She serves as director and clinical attending in the Dry Eye Clinic at Atwater Eye Care Center and is a clinician scientist in the Borish Center for Ophthalmic Research.

Dr. Tichenor’s research interests are in studying ocular surface diseases, including dry eye disease and neurosensory conditions such as neuropathic pain. She has a specific focus on how inflammation, aging, and hormones impact ocular mucins in the tear film and glycocalyx. Her PhD work enabled her to gain a better understanding of translational research, and she uses laboratory techniques to answer clinical questions related to dry eye disease.

Dr. Tichenor also conducts industry-sponsored research and has experience conducting clinical trials in the fields of dry eye disease and contact lenses. She has been an investigator on several FDA trials evaluating new treatments for dry eye disease. She has published articles in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Cornea, and Molecular Vision. She has presented papers and posters at annual conferences such as the American Academy of Optometry and the annual Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meetings.

Dr. Tichenor is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Indiana Optometric Association, the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society.

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Mathematics, summa cum laude, (2009). Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN
• Doctor of Optometry, magna cum laude, (2013). Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN
• Doctor of Philosophy, Vision Science (2018). Title: Characterization of Membrane Associated Mucins. University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL

Research Topics

• Dry Eye Disease
• Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
• Neuropathic pain & Neurotrophic Keratitis
• Tear film imaging

Publications

Posters and Presentations

• Tichenor AA, Cox SM, Ziemanski JF, Ngo W, Karpecki PM, Nichols KK, Nichols JJ. Effect of the Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress on Contact Lens Discomfort in Contact Lens Wearers: an open-label randomized clinical trial. American Academy of Optometry 2019. E-abstract (poster).
• Tichenor AA, Cofield SS, Gann D, Elder M, Ng A, Walsh K, Jones LW, Nichols JJ. Frequency of contact lens complications between contact lens wearers using multipurpose solutions versus hydrogen peroxide in the United States and Canada. American Academy of Optometry 2019. E-abstract (presentation).
• Ablamowicz AF, Ngo W, Ziemanski JF, Nichols JJ, Nichols KK. Meibomian Gland Assessments in the Upper and Lower Eyelids in a Pediatric Sample. American Academy of Optometry 2018. E-abstract (poster).
• Ablamowicz AF, Nichols JJ. MUC16 Regional Conjunctival Expression on the Ocular Surface. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2018. E-abstract #3294 (poster).
• Ablamowicz AF, Nichols JJ. Analysis of MUC16 Expression in the Palpebral Conjunctiva of Dry Eye and Normal Subjects. American Academy of Optometry 2017. E-abstract (presentation).
• Ablamowicz AF, Woodward AM, Nichols JJ, Argüeso P. A Galectin-3-Based Slot Blot Affinity Assay for MUC16. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2017. E-abstract #494 (poster).
• Ablamowicz AF, Nichols JJ. Concentrations of MUC16 and MUC5AC using three tear collection methods. 8^th International Conference on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance. Montpellier, France 2016 (poster).
• Ablamowicz AF, Nichols JJ. Tear film mucins detectable using various tear collection methods. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2016. E-abstract #6178 (poster).
• Ablamowicz AF, Nichols JJ, Nichols KK. Repeatability of Dry Eye Diagnostic Tests Across Various Patients. American Academy of Optometry 2015. E-abstract (presentation).
• Ablamowicz A, Nichols JJ, Nichols KK. Association between serum levels of testosterone and estradiol with meibomian gland dropout and expressibility. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2015. E-abstract #310 (poster).
• Ablamowicz A, Jones-Jordan L, King-Smith PE, Nichols JJ, Nichols KK. Association between tear film lipid layer thickness, pre-corneal tear film thickness and thinning rate with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). American Academy of Optometry 2014. E-abstract #145039 (poster).