Susan Primo OD
- Department of Ophthalmology
Professor
- (404) 778-3317
- sprimo@emory.edu
-
Emory Eye Center
Optometry
1365B Clifton Rd., NE, Suite B1100
Overview
Susan Primo, OD, MPH, FAAO, is director of Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation Services. In addition to her public health work, she specializes in vision rehabilitation to assist patients who become visually impaired through the evaluation and prescription of low vision devices. Her research interests are in strategic public health approaches to address visual impairment and loss (especially due to glaucoma) and to reduce racial disparities in vision healthcare.
National Recognition
Dr. Primo is a known expert in low vision/vision rehabilitation research as well as visual health disparities. She sits on several national panels and boards to address strategies and policies to reduce visual impairment in at-risk populations. Dr. Primo is a member of NEI's National Eye Health and Education Planning Group and she is Co-Chair of the Center for Vision and Population Health at Prevent Blindness. Dr. Primo also is a reviewer on multiple grant panels around vision impairment and prevention of vision loss.
Dr. Primo is involved in multiple global ophthalmology projects including GAVision 2020 and Standing Voice service visits to Tanzania. She continues her advocacy efforts in the importance of integrating eye and vision care into primary care at community health centers through on-site delivery models.
Dr. Primo was named Optometrist of the Year by the National Optometric Association in 2005 and has received numerous awards and recognition for community service. She was also given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the New England College of Optometry in 2021 as well as the Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Health Association in 2023. Dr. Primo is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry and has lectured extensively at various local and national meetings.
Areas of Clinical Interest
Comprehensive eye exams
Evaluation and management of the patient with low vision/vision impairment
Community Health Centers
Academic Appointment
- Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine
Education
Degrees
- MPH from Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
- O.D. from New England College of Optometry
- BS from University of Massachusetts
Research
Focus
- Vision loss is a serious public health problem. Strategic public health approaches to address visual impairment are desperately needed. My areas of interest include reducing visual health disparities in at-risk populations and clinical-based visual rehabilitation research such as macular degeneration and cortical reorganization (in collaboration with Georgia Tech), the implantable miniaturized telescope, rehabilitation outcomes and prismatic approaches for visual field loss.
Publications
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Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Health Disparities in Ophthalmology with a Retrospective Analysis at a Large Academic Public Hospital.
Adv Ophthalmol Optom Volume: 7 Page(s): 311 - 323
08/01/2022 Authors: Chung YG; Person CM; O'Banion J; Primo SA -
Testing Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Undergoing Cataract Surgery: Lessons Learned from the Past and Development of a New Quality of Life (QOL) Test.
Clin Ophthalmol Volume: 16 Page(s): 385 - 387
01/01/2022 Authors: Borkenstein AF; Borkenstein E-M; Murphy K; Primo SA -
Challenges and Enablers for Smartphone Use by Persons With Vision Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report of Two Case Studies.
Front Public Health Volume: 10 Page(s): 912460
01/01/2022 Authors: Senjam SS; Primo SA -
Vision health disparities in the United States by race/ethnicity, education, and economic status: findings from two nationally representative surveys.
Am J Ophthalmol Volume: 154 Page(s): S53 - 62.e1
12/01/2012 Authors: Zhang X; Cotch MF; Ryskulova A; Primo SA; Nair P; Chou C-F; Geiss LS; Barker LE; Elliott AF; Crews JE -
Disparities in eye care utilization among the United States adults with visual impairment: findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system 2006-2009.
Am J Ophthalmol Volume: 154 Page(s): S45 - 52.e1
12/01/2012 Authors: Chou C-F; Barker LE; Crews JE; Primo SA; Zhang X; Elliott AF; McKeever Bullard K; Geiss LS; Saaddine JB -
Surveillance of disparities in vision and eye health in the United States: an expert panel's opinions.
Am J Ophthalmol Volume: 154 Page(s): S3 - S7
12/01/2012 Authors: Lee PP; West SK; Block SS; Clayton J; Cotch MF; Flynn C; Geiss LS; Klein R; Olsen TW; Owsley C -
Impact of a health communication intervention to improve glaucoma treatment adherence. Results of the interactive study to increase glaucoma adherence to treatment trial.
Arch Ophthalmol Volume: 130 Page(s): 1252 - 1258
10/01/2012 Authors: Glanz K; Beck AD; Bundy L; Primo S; Lynn MJ; Cleveland J; Wold JA; Echt KV -
Baseline traits of low vision patients served by private outpatient clinical centers in the United States.
Arch Ophthalmol Volume: 130 Page(s): 1028 - 1037
08/01/2012 Authors: Goldstein JE; Massof RW; Deremeik JT; Braudway S; Jackson ML; Kehler KB; Primo SA; Sunness JS; Low Vision Research Network Study Group -
Implantable miniature telescope: lessons learned.
Optometry Volume: 81 Page(s): 86 - 93
02/01/2010 Authors: Primo SA -
An exploratory study of factors influencing glaucoma treatment adherence.
J Glaucoma Volume: 19 Page(s): 66 - 72
01/01/2010 Authors: Stryker JE; Beck AD; Primo SA; Echt KV; Bundy L; Pretorius GC; Glanz K