UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Carol B. Toris, PhD

Professor Emeritus, UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Carol Toris

Carol B. Toris, PhD, is a professor emeritus in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at UNMC. Dr. Toris is a physiologist who has spent most of her research career at UNMC.

Although now retired from UNMC, she continues to work in the field of aqueous humor dynamics and intraocular pressure  regulation at Ohio State University. She investigates changes in intraocular pressure under various situations and in different animal models. Her clinical work includes the study of ocular pathologies affecting intraocular pressure and normal changes that take place during aging and over a 24-hour period. This work has generated more than 200 publications, book chapters, review articles and abstracts

Education
  • Bachelor's: Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois
  • Master's: University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
  • PhD: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
  • Postgraduate: Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Research

Dr. Toris’ long-term research goal is to see the glaucoma research lab at UNMC grow and remain internationally recognized in the field of aqueous humor dynamics. She also wants to see more effective, longer-term treatments for glaucoma, especially in countries with the greatest need.

Her team’s current clinical work includes the study of why some patients respond well to glaucoma drugs and others do not. Another project involves studies of glaucoma drainage devices to lower IOP with the goal of replacing or at least reducing the need for eye drops. Their current rabbit work includes the study of a new class of IOP lowering drug and a new delivery system to lower eye pressure for longer periods of time. These studies have been funded by industry in the form of collaborations or Investigator Initiated Trials, by receiving Foundation grants and by collaborations with PIs funded by NIH.