New York, NY: SUNY College of Optometry is proud to announce that two members of the Class of 2026 have recently been part of a research team that was published in the Review of Optometry, “Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices for Neuroprotection in Glaucoma.” Along with California based Ophthalmologist Steven Pratt, MD, FACS, ABIHM, students Nicholas Premnauth and Rebecca Treen worked on the article, while also under the guidance and encouragement of Neda Gioia, OD, CNS®, FOWNS, ‘06. The students come from different parts of North America, but it is their passion for both optometry and nutrition that brought them together with Dr. Pratt on this article.
Nicholas Premnauth, ’26, is from Toms River NJ and earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with minors in Psychology and Nutritional Science from Rutgers University. His interest in optometry began in middle and high school after frequent visits to the optometrist for a recurring corneal issue. While working for an integrative optometrist and functional medicine practitioner during his undergraduate years, he gained a deeper appreciation for the role nutrition plays in healthcare—an aspect often overlooked in patient care.
Rebecca Treen, ’26, is from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada and earned a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences with a minor in French Studies from Queen’s University in Canada. She had an optometry career in mind growing up in Southwest Saskatchewan, where she developed a strong sense of community and combined her love for healthcare with a dedication to improving people's vision and overall quality of life. It was also her undergraduate studies that sparked a knowledge and passion for nutritional science that grew as she navigated the application process for optometry schools.
When asked about the subject of nutrition and eye care, Ms. Treen noted some key points that the public should know about nutrition and eye health. “Carrots are NOT the only food that are good for your eyes!” Ms. Treen noted. “Many antioxidants and phytonutrients mentioned in the article are crucial in the maintenance of systemic health that protect and promote good eye health and sight. By eating well, you are nourishing all the organs in your body, including your eyes, to stay healthy and function optimally.”
Getting published while still studying at SUNY Optometry has made an impact on both students, with Mr. Premnauth stating, “Being published is a meaningful milestone as it allows me to contribute to the broader body of knowledge in the field and share findings that could impact patient care. Ongoing research is essential because it drives innovation, deepens our understanding, and ultimately improves clinical outcomes. By continuously exploring new ideas, we can develop more effective treatments and better preventive strategies for our patients.”
Looking ahead to their next project, Ms. Treen and Mr. Premnauth designed an anonymous survey with Dr. Mark Rosenfield earlier this year that was distributed to SUNY students to analyze correlations between Dry Eye and Lifestyle Choices. They are proud to announce that they will be presenting a poster of the results of this survey at the American Academy of Optometry meeting in Indianapolis this November. “It was an absolute pleasure to work with Rebecca and Nick on this project evaluating the impact of lifestyle choices on symptoms of dry eye, a topic with significant clinical implications,” Dr. Rosenfield affirmed. “It is very impressive for two OD students in their third year to be presenting at a major international meeting such as the American Academy of Optometry. And what is even more impressive is that Rebecca will be doing this for the second year running, since she also presented at last year's Academy meeting in New Orleans. Truly, two superstars in the making.”
Both students are members of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society, and feel very grateful to have worked closely on this publication with Dr. Pratt, and have guidance regarding nutrition in eyecare from Dr. Gioia. “Ms. Treen and Mr. Premnauth were a real pleasure to work with on our article,” Dr. Pratt complimented. “Both are very enthusiastic, hard-working, very intelligent, and extremely reliable. They will be fantastic ODs.”
“Working with students is meaningful because it emphasizes the importance of prevention-based care early in their training,” Dr. Gioia stated. “This publication highlights how vital it is for future eye care professionals to integrate lifestyle and nutrition.” She went on to add, “Personally, I think including students will help us navigate better implementation ideas as it is one challenge for most healthcare professionals. I always consider myself as a forever student, so including their work was a pleasure.”
Media Contact: Rob Rosiello, communications@sunyopt.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 21, 2024
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About SUNY Optometry
Founded in 1971 and located in New York City, the State University of New York College of Optometry is a leader in education, research, and patient care, offering the Doctor of Optometry degree as well as MS and PhD degrees in vision science. The College conducts a robust program of basic, translational and clinical research and has 65 affiliated clinical training sites as well as an on-site clinic, the University Eye Center. SUNY Optometry is regionally accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; its four-year professional degree program and residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. All classrooms, research facilities and the University Eye Center, which is one of the largest optometric outpatient facilities in the nation, are located on 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan. To learn more about SUNY Optometry, visit www.sunyopt.edu.