Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Jason Nichols is a Professor and Senior Associate Vice President for Research in the UAB Office of Research. He has more than 20 years of experience working at the cross-roads of translational research, entrepreneurial initiatives, and research administration in academic medical settings. As Senior Associate Vice President for Research in the UAB's Office of Research, he helps oversee 26 university-wide institutional research centers (UWIRCs) and the Research Development Office. Dr. Nichols has also been instrumental in developing clinical trials initiatives at the university level, more than doubling university-wide clinical trials expenditures. He has also helped build a southeast partner regional network for multisite studies through the NIH/NCATs supported Center for Clinical and Translational Science. He is responsible for strategy development and implementation of UAB's research and entrepreneurial initiatives including administration and business development with a focus on large/center grants, institutional training grants, industry-academia partnerships, startups, joint-ventures, and SBIR/STTR activity. He has strong analytical, leadership and management skills, but also understands the importance of alliance building and the cultivation of shared governance. He actively collaborates with other university functions such as research risk, post-award, legal, procurement, and safety in addition to upholding and implementing policies and procedures related to research administration.

    Dr. Nichols is also an internationally recognized clinician-scientist with long-standing track record of research development, oversight, and scientific discovery. He has over 175 publications and an h-index approaching 50. He maintains an ocular surface research group with full scale capabilities for conducting clinical and basic research receiving funding from the National Eye Institute (NEI) and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATs). His research unit employs state-of-the art facilities and equipment for the study of dry eye, meibomian gland disease, and pharmaceutical and medical device development and testing. He has served on numerous medical/advisory boards and boards of directors. His awards include three Ezell Fellowships, the Borish Award from the AAO and he is a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Lastly, he is editor-in-chief of Contact Lens Spectrum, the world's leading journal on contact lenses and chairs the Global Specialty Lens and Global Myopia Symposia continuing education meetings.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2022 Differences in Practitioner Experience, Practice Type, and Profession in Attitudes Toward Growing Contact Lens Practice 2022
    2022 Inflammatory proteins associated with contact lens-related dry eyeContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  45. 2022
    2022 All soft contact lenses are not created equalContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  45. 2022
    2022 Characterization of the thickness of the Tear Film Lipid Layer in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction using high resolution optical microscopy 2022
    2022 The impact of contact lenses on meibomian gland morphology 2022
    2022 Bibliometric analysis of the keratoconus literatureClinical and Experimental Optometry.  105:372-377. 2022
    2022 Bibliometric analysis of the literature relating to silicone hydrogel and daily disposable contact lensesJournal of Optometry.  15:44-52. 2022
    2022 Global optometrist research ranking derived from a science-wide author database of standardised citation indicatorsClinical and Experimental Optometry.  105:20-25. 2022
    2022 Human meibum and tear film derived cholesteryl and wax esters in meibomian gland dysfunction and tear film structure: Cholesteryl and wax esters in meibomian gland dysfunction 2022
    2022 Tear Film miRNAs and Their Association With Human Dry Eye DiseaseCurrent Eye Research.  47:1479-1487. 2022
    2022 The Glycoprotein 340’s Scavenger Receptor Cysteine-Rich Domain Promotes Adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Contact Lens PolymersInfection and Immunity.  90. 2022
    2021 Opportunities and threats to contact lens practice: A global survey perspectiveContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  44. 2021
    2021 Corrigendum to “Human precorneal tear film and lipid layer dynamics in meibomian gland dysfunction” [Ocul Surf 21 (2021) 250–256] (The Ocular Surface (2021) 21 (250–256), (S1542012421000185), (10.1016/j.jtos.2021.03.006)) 2021
    2021 Topical Review: Bibliometric Analysis of the Emerging Field of Myopia ManagementOptometry and Vision Science.  98:1039-1044. 2021
    2021 Bibliometric analysis of the literature relating to scleral contact lensesContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  44. 2021
    2021 Bibliometric analysis of the orthokeratology literatureContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  44. 2021
    2021 Human meibum and tear film derived (O-Acyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acids as biomarkers of tear film dynamics in meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye disease 2021
    2021 Human meibum and tear film derived (O-acyl)-omega-hydroxy fatty acids in meibomian gland dysfunction 2021
    2021 Human precorneal tear film and lipid layer dynamics in meibomian gland dysfunction 2021
    2021 Authors’ Reply: “Thirty years of ‘quiet eye’ with etafilcon A contact lenses: Additional considerations”Contact Lens and Anterior Eye.  44. 2021
    2021 Frequency of Contact Lens Complications Between Contact Lens Wearers Using Multipurpose Solutions Versus Hydrogen Peroxide in the United States and Canada 2021
    2021 Bibliometric analysis of the meibomian gland literature 2021
    2021 Challenges and lessons learned for institutional review board procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.Journal of Clinical and Translational Science.  5:e107. 2021
    2021 21st century bibliometric analysis of the field of dry eye diseaseClinical and Experimental Optometry.  104:639-640. 2021
    2021 21st century citation analysis of the field of contact lensesClinical and Experimental Optometry.  104:634-638. 2021
    2021 Bibliometric analysis of the refractive error fieldClinical and Experimental Optometry.  104:641-643. 2021
    2021 Global optometrist top 200 research rankingClinical and Experimental Optometry.  104:471-485. 2021
    2021 On the art and science of rigid contact lens fittingClinical and Experimental Optometry.  104:684-690. 2021
    2020 Regulation of Contact Lens Sales in the United States: The Pendulum Swings between Patient Protection and Consumer Choice 2020
    2020 The ocular surface, coronaviruses and COVID-19Clinical and Experimental Optometry.  103:418-424. 2020
    2020 The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitionersContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  43:196-203. 2020
    2020 Thirty years of ‘quiet eye’ with etafilcon A contact lensesContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  43:285-297. 2020
    2020 Global trends in myopia management attitudes and strategies in clinical practice – 2019 UpdateContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  43:9-17. 2020
    2020 International survey of contact lens fitting for myopia control in childrenContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  43:4-8. 2020
    2020 Impact of the 2011 International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction on clinical trial attributes for meibomian gland dysfunction 2020
    2019 Effect of the Bruder moist heat eye compress on contact lens discomfort in contact lens wearers: An open-label randomized clinical trialContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  42:625-632. 2019
    2019 Tear Film and Meibomian Gland Characteristics in AdolescentsCornea.  38:1475-1482. 2019
    2019 In vivo thickness measurement of the lipid layer and the overall tear film by interferometryOptics Letters.  44:2410-2413. 2019
    2019 Detection of Lipid Mediators of Inflammation in the Human Tear Film 2019
    2019 Characterization of the thickness of the tear film lipid layer using high resolution microscopy 2019
    2019 Untargeted lipidomic analysis of human tears: A new approach for quantification of O-acyl-omega hydroxy fatty acids 2019
    2019 The Case for Using Hydrogen Peroxide Contact Lens Care Solutions: A Review 2019
    2019 IMI – Industry guidelines and ethical considerations for Myopia control report 2019
    2019 Myopia – A 21st century public health issue 2019
    2019 A randomized trial to evaluate the effect of toric versus spherical contact lenses on vision and eyestrain 2019
    2019 Identification of leukocytes associated with midday fogging in the post-lens tear film of scleral contact lens wearers 2019
    2018 An imaging system integrating optical coherence tomography and interferometry for in vivo measurement of the thickness and dynamics of the tear filmBioMedical Engineering OnLine.  17. 2018
    2018 Comparison of Collection Methods for the Measure of Human Meibum and Tear Film-Derived Lipids Using Mass SpectrometryCurrent Eye Research.  43:1244-1252. 2018
    2018 Efficacy of Toric Contact Lenses in Fitting and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Contact Lens Wearers 2018
    2018 An imaging-based analysis of lipid deposits on contact lens surfacesContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  41:342-350. 2018
    2018 Glycoprotein 340 in mucosal immunity and ocular surface 2018
    2018 Relation Between Dietary Essential Fatty Acid Intake and Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Postmenopausal WomenAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology.  189:29-40. 2018
    2017 TFOS DEWS II Report Executive Summary 2017
    2017 Lipid Deposition on Contact Lenses when Using Contemporary Care SolutionsOptometry and Vision Science.  94:919-927. 2017
    2017 Concentrations of MUC16 and MUC5AC using three tear collection methodsMolecular Vision.  23:529-537. 2017
    2017 Imaging Approaches for Contact Lens Deposition 2017
    2017 TFOS DEWS II Definition and Classification Report 2017
    2017 TFOS DEWS II Introduction 2017
    2017 TFOS DEWS II pain and sensation report 2017
    2017 Advances in thickness measurements and dynamic visualization of the tear film using non-invasive optical approachesProgress in Retinal and Eye Research.  58:28-44. 2017
    2017 Non-surgical interventions for acute internal hordeolumCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.  2017. 2017
    2016 Contact lens comfortOptometry and Vision Science.  93:790-792. 2016
    2016 Dual-polymer drops, contact lens comfort, and lid wiper epitheliopathyOptometry and Vision Science.  93:979-986. 2016
    2016 Eyelid margin and meibomian gland characteristics and symptoms in lens wearersOptometry and Vision Science.  93:901-908. 2016
    2016 Impact of lens care solutions on protein deposition on soft contact lensesOptometry and Vision Science.  93:963-972. 2016
    2016 Lid wiper epitheliopathy in soft contact lens wearersOptometry and Vision Science.  93:943-954. 2016
    2016 Microbial contamination of contact lens storage cases during daily wear useOptometry and Vision Science.  93:925-932. 2016
    2016 Subjective comfort and physiology with modern contact lens care productsOptometry and Vision Science.  93:809-819. 2016
    2016 Ocular Surface Membrane-Associated Mucins 2016
    2016 Global trends in myopia management attitudes and strategies in clinical practiceContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  39:106-116. 2016
    2016 Analysis of tear inflammatory mediators: A comparison between the microarray and luminex methodsMolecular Vision.  22:177-188. 2016
    2016 Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome 2016
    2016 Association between serum levels of testosterone and estradiol with meibomian gland assessments in postmenopausal women 2016
    2015 Agreement between automated and traditional measures of tear film breakupOptometry and Vision Science.  92:e257-e263. 2015
    2015 Dry eye diseaseOptometry and Vision Science.  92:922-924. 2015
    2015 Association between meibomian gland testing and ocular surface sensitivityCornea.  34:1187-1192. 2015
    2015 Trends in US contact lens prescribing 2002 to 2014Optometry and Vision Science.  92:758-767. 2015
    2014 Tear film interferometry and corneal surface roughness 2014
    2014 Compliance factors associated with contact lens-related dry eye 2014
    2014 The neurobiology of the meibomian glands 2014
    2013 The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: Executive summary 2013
    2013 The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: Introduction 2013
    2013 The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: Report of the contact lens materials, design, and care subcommittee 2013
    2013 The TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort: Report of the definition and classification subcommittee 2013
    2013 Tear film images and breakup analyzed using fluorescent quenching 2013
    2013 Tear film breakup and structure studied by simultaneous video recording of fluorescence and tear film lipid layer images 2013
    2013 Long-term contact lens wear of children and teens 2013
    2013 Interventions for acute internal hordeolum 2013
    2013 1. History, evolution, and evolving standards of contact lens careContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  36. 2013
    2013 1. History, evolution, and evolving standards of contact lens care.Contact Lens and Anterior Eye.  36 Suppl 1:S4-S8. 2013
    2013 3. Ocular surface health with contact lens wearContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  36. 2013
    2013 3. Ocular surface health with contact lens wear.Contact Lens and Anterior Eye.  36 Suppl 1:S14-S21. 2013
    2013 An international survey of daily disposable contact lens prescribingClinical and Experimental Optometry.  96:58-64. 2013
    2013 Citation analysis of the dry eye literature 2013
    2013 Deposition on silicone hydrogel lenses 2013
    2012 The use of fluorescent quenching in studying the contribution of evaporation to tear thinning 2012
    2012 A method of imaging lipids on silicone hydrogel contact lensesOptometry and Vision Science.  89. 2012
    2012 A review of meibography.Optometry and Vision Science.  89. 2012
    2012 Imaging and measurement in the eye: Now and aheadOptometry and Vision Science.  89:521-523. 2012
    2012 Development of the 4-3-2-1 meibum expressibility scale 2012
    2012 Safety and efficacy of topical azithromycin ophthalmic solution 1.0% in the treatment of contact lens-related dry eye 2012
    2012 A review of meibography.Optometry and Vision Science.  89. 2012
    2012 Analysis of meibum and tear lipids 2012
    2012 Citation analysis of the contact lens fieldOptometry and Vision Science.  89:70-79. 2012
    2012 Inter-examiner reliability in meibomian gland dysfunction assessment. 2012
    2012 Relation between upper and lower lids' meibomian gland morphology, tear film, and dry eyeOptometry and Vision Science.  89. 2012
    2011 Rasch analysis of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) 2011
    2011 An international analysis of contact lens complianceContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  34:223-228. 2011
    2011 Examination of human meibum collection and extraction techniquesOptometry and Vision Science.  88:525-533. 2011
    2011 The international workshop on meibomian gland dysfunction: Report of the subcommittee on the epidemiology of, and associated risk factors for, MGD 2011
    2011 Global trends in prescribing contact lenses for extended wearContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  34:32-35. 2011
    2011 Soft toric contact lens prescribing in different countriesContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  34:36-38. 2011
    2011 Tear film, contact lens, and patient factors associated with corneal staining 2011
    2011 High resolution microscopy of the lipid layer of the tear film 2011
    2010 Evidence for the major contribution of evaporation to tear film thinning between blinks 2010
    2010 In vitro lipid deposition on hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses 2010
    2010 Tear proteomics in keratoconusMolecular Vision.  16:1949-1957. 2010
    2010 Evaluation of extractants and precipitants in tear film proteomic analysesOptometry and Vision Science.  87:854-860. 2010
    2010 Daily disposable contact lens prescribing around the worldContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  33:225-227. 2010
    2010 Twenty first century trends in silicone hydrogel contact lens fitting: An international perspectiveContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  33:196-198. 2010
    2010 Enzymatic quantification of cholesterol and cholesterol esters from silicone hydrogel contact lenses 2010
    2010 Gas permeable and soft contact lens wear in childrenOptometry and Vision Science.  87:414-420. 2010
    2010 International rigid contact lens prescribingContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  33:141-143. 2010
    2010 Application of a novel interferometric method to investigate the relation between lipid layer thickness and tear film thinning 2010
    2010 Texture based prelens tear film segmentation in interferometry images 2010
    2010 Contact lens material characteristics associated with hydrogel lens dehydrationOphthalmic and Physiological Optics.  30:160-166. 2010
    2010 Demographics of international contact lens prescribingContact Lens and Anterior Eye.  33:27-29. 2010
    2010 Interventions for acute internal hordeolum.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.  9. 2010
    2010 Prevention of UV-induced damage to the anterior segment using class I UV-absorbing hydrogel contact lenses 2010
    2009 The contribution of lipid layer movement to tear film thinning and breakup 2009
    2009 Interventions for acute internal hordeolum 2009
    2009 Impact of a rinse step on protein removal from silicone hydrogel contact lensesOptometry and Vision Science.  86:943-947. 2009
    2009 Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses in contact lens-related dry eye.Cornea.  28:1109-1117. 2009
    2009 Proteins identified from care solution extractions of silicone hydrogelsOptometry and Vision Science.  86:E123-E131. 2009
    2008 Contributions of evaporation and other mechanisms to tear film thinning and break-upOptometry and Vision Science.  85:623-630. 2008
    2008 Dry eye and designer ophthalmicsOptometry and Vision Science.  85:643-652. 2008
    2008 Treatment, material, care, and patient-related factors in contact lens-related dry eyeOptometry and Vision Science.  85:764-772. 2008
    2008 Hydrogel contact lens binding induced by contact lens rewetting dropsOptometry and Vision Science.  85:236-240. 2008
    2008 Investigation of the human tear film proteome using multiple proteomic approachesMolecular Vision.  14:456-470. 2008
    2008 Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses of contact lens depositionMolecular Vision.  14:291-297. 2008
    2008 Mucins in Contact Lens Wear and Dry Eye ConditionsOptometry and Vision Science.  85:E631-E642. 2008
    2008 The impact of punctal occlusion on soft contact lens wearing comfort and the tear film. 2008
    2007 Frequency of and factors associated with contact lens dissatisfaction and discontinuationCornea.  26:168-174. 2007
    2007 Identification of fatty acids and fatty acid amides in human meibomian gland secretions 2007
    2007 The contact lens and tear film laboratory, The Ohio State University College of Optometry 2007
    2006 Relation between mood and self-reported dry eye in contact lens wearersCornea.  25:937-942. 2006
    2006 Deposition rates and lens care influence on galyfilcon a silicone hydrogel lensesOptometry and Vision Science.  83:751-757. 2006
    2006 Reliability of grading lissamine green conjunctival stainingCornea.  25:695-700. 2006
    2006 Reliability of grading lissamine green conjunctival stainingCornea.  25:695-700. 2006
    2006 Tear film, contact lens, and patient-related factors associated with contact lens-related dry eye 2006
    2006 Longitudinal changes in visual acuity in keratoconus 2006
    2006 Interferometric imaging of the full thickness of the precorneal tear film 2006
    2005 Sensitivity of the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life instrument to refractive surgery outcomesJournal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.  31:2313-2318. 2005
    2005 The reliability of the Lanthony Desaturated D-15 testOptometry and Vision Science.  82:1054-1059. 2005
    2005 Thinning rate of the precorneal and prelens tear films 2005
    2005 The impact of contact lens care solutions on the thickness of the tear film and contact lensCornea.  24:825-832. 2005
    2005 Self-reported dry eye disease across refractive modalities 2005
    2005 An assessment of grading scales for meibography imagesCornea.  24:382-388. 2005
    2005 Assessment of meibomian lipids in postmenopausal women using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry 2005
    2005 Human tear film breakup studied by a new imaging interferometer: Preliminary observations 2005
    2005 Identification and analysis of polar and non-polar lipids from meibomian gland secretions using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry 2005
    2005 The relation between self-reported mood and self-reported dry eye in contact lens wearers 2005
    2004 The lack of association between signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye diseaseCornea.  23:762-770. 2004
    2004 An assessment of self-reported disease classification in epidemiological studies of dry eye 2004
    2004 The impact of hydrogel lens settling on the thickness of the tears and contact lens 2004
    2004 Characteristics of corneal ectasia after LASIK for myopiaCornea.  23:447-457. 2004
    2004 The relation between disease asymmetry and severity in keratoconusBritish Journal of Ophthalmology.  88:788-791. 2004
    2004 The Reliability and Validity of McMonnies Dry Eye IndexCornea.  23:365-371. 2004
    2004 Assessment of the reliability of self-reported dry eye in contact lens wearers: The contact lens dry eye questionnaire (CLDEQ) short-form 2004
    2003 The assessment of automated measures of hydrogel contact lens refractive indexOphthalmic and Physiological Optics.  23:517-525. 2003
    2003 The relation between tear film tests in patients with dry eye diseaseOphthalmic and Physiological Optics.  23:553-560. 2003
    2003 Reliability and validity of refractive error-specific quality-of-life instrumentsJAMA Ophthalmology.  121:1289-1296. 2003
    2003 The effect of eye closure on the post-lens tear film thickness during silicone hydrogel contact lens wearCornea.  22:539-544. 2003
    2003 The reliability and validity of hand-held refractometry water content measures of hydrogel lensesOptometry and Vision Science.  80:447-453. 2003
    2003 Characteristics of corneal ectasia after myopic LASIK 2003
    2003 Reliability of corneal thickness and endothelial cell density measuresJournal of Refractive Surgery.  19:344-352. 2003
    2003 The relation between disease asymmetry and severity in keratoconus 2003
    2003 Thickness of the pre- and post-contact lens tear film measured in vivo by interferometry 2003
    2002 Refractive status and vision profile survey in a contact lens trial [2] (multiple letters) 2002
    2002 Refractive status and vision profile survey in contact lens trial: Author reply 2002
    2002 Between-eye asymmetry in keratoconusCornea.  21:671-679. 2002
    2002 The performance of the contact lens dry eye questionnaire as a screening survey for contact lens-related dry eyeCornea.  21:469-475. 2002
    2002 In vivo measurement of the thickness of human corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane using interferometry 2002
    2002 Is there an association between signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye? 2002
    2002 The evaluation of cornea-to-contact lens base curve relationships in keratoconus through fluorescein pattern analysis 2002
    2002 Evaluation of tear film interference patterns and measures of tear break-up timeOptometry and Vision Science.  79:363-369. 2002
    2002 The thickness of the post-lens tear film measured by interferometryAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.  506 B:929-933. 2002
    2001 The performance of the refractive status and vision profile survey in a contact lens clinical trial 2001
    2001 Thickness of the pre- and post-lens tear film and of contact lenses measured by interferometry. 2001
    2000 Daily disposable vs. disposable extended wear: A contact lens clinical trialOptometry and Vision Science.  77:637-647. 2000
    2000 Corneal scarring and vision in keratoconus: A baseline report from the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) studyCornea.  19:804-812. 2000
    2000 Frequency of dry eye diagnostic test procedures used in various modes of ophthalmic practiceCornea.  19:477-482. 2000
    2000 Asymmetry in keratoconus 2000
    2000 Daily disposables vs. disposable extended wear: explaining and predicting patient-reported preferencesOptometry and Vision Science.  77:21. 2000
    2000 Disease asymmetry in keratoconusOptometry and Vision Science.  77:117. 2000
    2000 Incidence type and location of corneal staining as a result of hydrogel extended wearOptometry and Vision Science.  77:120. 2000
    2000 Overnight Orthokeratology [1] (multiple letters)Optometry and Vision Science.  77:627-629. 2000
    2000 Overnight Orthokeratology: Authors’ ResponseOptometry and Vision Science.  77:628-629. 2000
    2000 Overnight orthokeratologyOptometry and Vision Science.  77:252-259. 2000
    2000 Patient-reported outcomes from a randomized contact lens clinical trial: the Refractive Status and Vision Profile (RSVP)Optometry and Vision Science.  77:260. 2000
    2000 Thickness of the post-contact lens tear film measured by interferometryOptometry and Vision Science.  77:264. 2000
    1999 Correlation of corneal scarring with clinical measures and patient outcomes at baseline in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study 1999
    1999 Overnight orthokeratology 1999

    Education And Training

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science / Physiological Optics, Ohio State University System : Columbus 2004
  • Master of Public Health in Epidemiology, Ohio State University System : Columbus 2002
  • Master of Sciences or Mathematics in Vision Science / Physiological Optics, Ohio State University System : Columbus 2000
  • Doctor of Optometry, Ohio State University System : Columbus 1999
  • Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Hope College 1995
  • Full Name

  • Jason Nichols