Lori Ann Kehler

December 2, 2025

Study seeks to determine best way to treat myopia in children

Researchers hope to slow the progression of this chronic eye disease that affects approximately 40% of the U.S. population.

By Jessica Pasley
Tonia Rex, PhD, left, Lori Ann Kehler, OD, Brad Turner and Tennessee Sen. Jeff Yarbro pose for a photo at the Project PAVE check presentation. (photo by Donn Jones)
August 20, 2025

Tennessee grant ensures continued visual services for students through Project PAVE  

Project PAVE (Providing Access to the Visual Environment) was established in 1993 as a collaborative program between the Tennessee Department of Education, Lions Clubs of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University.

By Holly Fletcher
Smiling young African girl with long curly hair wearing glasses while standing alone against a gray background
August 1, 2023

VUMC participates in national study to test eye drops for nearsightedness in children

A multi-institutional study found that low-dose atropine eyedrops, commonly used in a higher dose to treat lazy eye, was no better than a placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) progression and elongation of the eye among children treated for two years.

By Nancy Humphrey
Lori Ann Kehler, OD, gives a low vision exam to patient Mary Elizabeth Parker at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute.
October 27, 2022

Low vision initiative for children lands new funding

Vanderbilt’s Project PAVE has received funding from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to continue the program that has provided low-vision evaluations for more than 2,150 school-age children in Tennessee since 1993.

By Nancy Humphrey
Smiling young African girl with long curly hair wearing glasses while standing alone against a gray background
March 22, 2018

Study explores new treatment for childhood myopia

The rates of myopia, or nearsightedness, in pediatric patients have steadily increased with little to no change in treatment, which, for decades, has had ophthalmologists and optometrists turning to corrective lenses for improved vision.

By Jessica Pasley
October 16, 2014

Project PAVE’s impact on children’s vision easy to see

It’s been 20 years since Project PAVE, a Tennessee program providing low-vision evaluations for children, was launched.

By Jessica Pasley