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OUR MISSION: We lead by advancing the scientific understanding of preventable blindness through the interpretation of ophthalmic images in translational research and by our collaboration and leadership in the conduct and analysis of clinical and epidemiological trials.
To support our mission, we promote innovation, service and learning in ophthalmic imaging research.
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We are the core image reading lab within the University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences studying diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, uveitis and other ophthalmic diseases. The Wisconsin Reading Center (WRC), formerly known as the Fundus Photograph Reading Center (FPRC), was founded on the enduring principles of intellectual honesty, quality, relevance, innovation and staff satisfaction.
We serve a wide range of academic institutions, foundations, pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms including the National Eye Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases, Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network and the Department of Defense.
Meet the WRC Leadership Team
Barbara A. Blodi, MD
Matthew D. Davis Professor, Wisconsin Reading Center Medical Director
Amitha Domalpally, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Wisconsin Reading Center Research Director
Michael M. Altaweel, MD
Professor, Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Director
WRC Faculty Collaborators
Mihai Mititelu, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Clinical Eye Research Unit Medical Director
Roomasa Channa, MD
Assistant Professor
Kimberly E. Stepien, MD
Professor, Co-Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, John W. and Helen Doolittle Professor
Yao Liu, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Director of Teleophthalmology, Glaucoma Service Chief, Glaucoma Fellowship Director
Services
For early phase clinical trials, we offer a streamlined approach tailored to the needs of the study and sponsor.
- Consultation on protocol design
- Project management
- Image analysis
- Certification and regulatory compliance
Workflow:
- Consultation on protocol design
- Defining ocular disease outcomes
- Study protocol/start-up training
- On-site/off-site and web-based training on imaging protocols
- Certification of photography equipment and operators
- Project management
- Electronic upload of digital images
- DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) conversion
- Inventory tracking
- Query monitoring
- Image quality monitoring and reporting
- Reproducibility reports for evaluation data
- Collaboration on manuscript preparation
- Storage and archival of study images
Evaluation Types
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Macular edema
- Vein occlusion
- Infectious and non-infectious uveitis
- Cytomegalovirus retinitis
- Lens opacities
- Glaucoma and neurodegenerative diseases
- Safety studies to monitor toxicity
Image Evaluations
- Optical Coherence Tomography (quantitative and layer analysis)
- Fundus autofluorescence (scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and camera-based)
- Color fundus photography
- Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiograms
- Red reflex, retroillumination and slit lamp lens photographs
Regulatory Compliance
- Independent Quality Assurance workgroup, reporting directly to the General Manager
- WRC documentation is compliant with ICH (International Conference on Harmonisation) guidelines and global regulatory requirements
- WRC developed software is compliant with 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 11, ICH and other applicable global regulatory requirements
- WRC staff are trained in HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), human subjects and regulatory compliance and follow a detailed set of policies and standard operating procedures
- Expert FDA hearing support
Imaging
All imaging technicians and equipment participating in any of our studies are required to be certified by the UW-WRC for each specific study and each specific procedure within that study, prior to submitting study participant images.
ACTIVE GRANTS
Dr. Barbara Blodi
- U01DK094176 08/15/12-06/30/22 – The George Washington University/NIH
Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC)
EDIC is a multi-center, longitudinal, observational study that focuses on nephropathy and macrovascular complications. Dr. Blodi’s team at the Wisconsin Reading Center monitors the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy among study participants, providing training and certification in optical coherence tomography (OCT) for other personnel working on the EDIC grant, as well as grading the OCT images and associated tasks.
- U10EY023521 09/30/13 – 03/31/20 – National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute
Study of Comparative Treatments for Retinal Vein Occlusion 2 [SCORE2] Comparative Trial
The major goals of this phase III trial is to study patients with central retinal vein occlusion. This comparative effectiveness research proposal aims to support a multicenter, prospective, randomized, phase III clinical trial to compare treatment protocols for decreased vision due to macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
- R01EY025292 (Co-Investigator with Dr. Julie Mares) 06/01/15 – 05/31/20 – National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute
Macular Pigment in Aging and Disease
This research provides the first evidence from long-term studies to determine whether having a low density of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina of the eye, predicts aging of the retina, the development and progression of age-related macular degeneration, and the loss of vision. Simple techniques exist to measure lutein and zeaxanthin density in the macula of the eye, safely and at low cost. Therefore, this research may provide the opportunity to identify individuals at risk for age-related eye disease in middle-age, and the opportunity to lower risk for eventual vision loss by increasing the intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in foods and supplements and adopting other strategies to lower risk, thereby preserving vision as they age.
- U01DK061230 17-D18 08/01/16-04/30/20 – The George Washington University/NIH
Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth 2 (TODAY2): Phase 2 Long-Term Post-Intervention Follow-Up
The major goals of this project is to address gaps in knowledge about Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in juveniles by continuing to follow a well-studied group of adolescents with T2D to identify causes and factors related to development of complications in young adulthood. Role: UW Principal Investigator
- UG1EY023533 04/01/19-03/31/22 – Pennsylvania State University/NIH
The Study of Comparative Treatments for REtinal Vein Occlusion 2 [SCORE2] Long-term Follow up Study
The WRC provides the reading center component of the SCORE2 LTF trial including writing procedures and certification of imaging systems, project management, submission of images, grading of fundus photographs, OCT scans and fluorescein angiograms, data transfer to the coordinating center, quality control, and analysis of data derived from evaluation of fundus images, OCT and angiograms in conjunction with the study chair, co-chair and the coordinating center.
UW-Madison 07/01/19-06/30/20
Institute for Clinical and Translational Research $50,000
BIM Polymorphisms Impact on anti-VEGF Therapy for Neovascular AMD
The goal of this project is to determine whether patients that are non-responsive to anti-VEGF therapy have BIM polymorphisms with dysregulated VEGF and key pro-inflammatory mediator expression.
Dr. Michael Altaweel
- U10EY024531 09/30/14-07/31/20 – National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute
Macular Edema Treatment Trials Associated with MUST (META-MUST)
The major goals of this project are to investigate how uveitis and its association with high rates of visual loss, typically caused by structural complications, of which uveitic macular edema is among the most common. Furthermore, macular edema is the most frequent cause of visual loss among patients with uveitis. The two comparative effectiveness trials will provide an evidence base to guide clinicians in the management of uveitic macular edema.
- UG1 EY028087 09/30/18-8/31/23 – National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute
Adalimimab vs. conventional Immunosuppression for uveitis (ADVISE) trial
The major goals of this project are to use a randomized, comparative effectiveness trial of adalimumav vs. conventional immunosuppression for the treatment of non-infectious intermediate, posterior and panuveitides.
recent publications and NEWS

Fundus Photograph Reading Center Renamed to Wisconsin Reading Center
Jul 10 2021
The former Fundus Photograph Reading Center (FPRC), a leader in ophthalmic imaging evaluation since 1970, has been renamed to the Wisconsin Reading Center (WRC). The new name is a reflection of the WRC’s increased range…
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2019 Distinguished Alumnus Announced
Sep 04 2019
Dr. Andy Harris Honored as 2019 OAA Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, W. Andy Harris, MD (Residency 1974), recalled his time at the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and…
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Getting in on the Action: Live Description at the Theater
May 13 2019
Visually impaired theater-goers have a new way to experience the art form. A recent article by the Wisconsin State Journal highlights the addition of live audio description at select performances at the Overture Center in Madison. Kelly Warren…
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Reading Centers in The Era of Artificial Intelligence: 2018 Retina Times Article
Mar 13 2019
Barbara Blodi, MD, professor and medical director of the Fundus Photograph Reading Center (FPRC), and Amitha Domalpally, MD, research director of the FPRC were recently panelists for the Retina Times article, “Exploring the Role of…
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Fundus Photograph Reading Center Participates in New NIH Clinical Study
Mar 12 2018
The Fundus Photograph Reading Center (FPRC) in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the core imaging lab for a new international clinical study funded by the National…
Read MoreExcellence in Imaging Research: Amitha Domalpally, MD, Receives Prestigious Award
Dec 01 2017
Dr. Amitha Domalpally, research director for the Fundus Photograph Reading Center, has been awarded the ARVO Foundation 2018 Pfizer Ophthalmics Carl Camras Award for translational research.
Read MoreCONTACT US
301 S Westfield Rd, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53717
Phone: (608) 262-1334
Fax: (608) 265-9509