Phyllis Adgent
Father Ryan High School
AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology

Module:   The Human Eye Mosaic

Project Overview

The Human Eye Mosaic is a module designed to incorporate current scientific research into the existing classroom curriculum of a secondary level Human Anatomy and Physiology course.  The laboratory research used in this module involves the use of a dual-tracer method of fluorescent angiography as a tool for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy in the early stages, thus possibly saving the vision of many people with diabetes.  The central focus of this module is Patient X who is suffering from an eye disorder.  The students are asked to help diagnose the medical problem of Patient X. 

Challenge 1 introduces students to the anatomy and physiology of the human eye.  Students are divided into teaching teams and each team is assigned specific structures of the eye to research and present to the class.  Next, students study the physiology of vision by doing laboratory investigations.  Students are then asked to use their knowledge of anatomy and physiology to determine the parts of the eye that might be involved in the medical problem of Patient X.  They are asked to justify their choices using the scientific principles they have just studied.

Challenge 2 introduces students to various diagnostic tests that might be useful in determining the cause of the medical problem of Patient X.  After testing themselves, the students are asked to analyze the lab test results of Patient X and determine the relevance of each test to the medical condition in question. Next, students research diseases of the eye and prepare multimedia presentations to give to the class.  After the presentations, students are asked to determine the disease causing the medical problems of Patient X and to evaluate their choices of the structures of the eye involved.

Challenge 3 involves students in researching and discussing the treatment options currently available for diabetic retinopathy. Students study membrane permeability and learn the structural and physiological effects of diabetic retinopathy on the eye.   They end the module by practicing some of the methodology involved in a new research study of retinal vascular permeability determined by using dual-tracer fluorescence angiography.  If successful, this research will provide a method for early diagnosis of increased permeability in the retinal vasculature before the vessels begin to hemorrhage.  This condition could then be treated earlier and could lessen or prevent damage to the eyes of people with diabetes.