Dr. Ells has presented her research and expertise at over 100 scientific meetings, symposiums and conferences. She also has over 50 peer reviewed publications and book chapters.
Current research interests include:
Dr Ells was initiator, primary organizer and co-chair for the International Classification Symposium for Retinopathy of Prematurity which was held in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. September 14, 15, 2002. This was the first classification symposium in the last 20 years. International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity- Revisited. Prepared by the ad hoc committee for ROP classification. Archives of Ophthalmology; Vol 123, July 2005; pg 991-999. http://archopht.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/123/7/991
In 2004 Dr. Ells and Leslie MacKeen presented the first series of longitudinal digital images of retinopathy of prematurity in a movie format at the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Additional videos were produced in 2008. These have served as a valuable teaching tool around the world, illustrating the dynamic documentation of the evolution of retinopathy of prematurity in video format. Journal of American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Vol 8/4. pp 389. August 2004.
Dr. Ells and colleagues evaluated the use of remote reading of digital retinal photographs in the diagnosis of severe (referral-warranted) ROP. They found that longitudinal remote reading of digital photographs using the RetCam-120 system has excellent specificity and sensitivity in detecting referral-warranted ROP.
This pilot study has shown that remote reading of digital photographs has promise for telemedicine strategies in ROP screening. Ophthalmol. Vol 110, No 11, pp 2113-2117, November 2003.
Dr. Ells worked with colleagues to test the effectiveness of ROP screening guidelines as applied to high-risk premature infants. British Ophthalmology Journal “Eye”. 2005 Feb;19(2):138-44.
Dr. Ells chaired a committee of Canadian ophthalmologists with an interest and expertise in ROP to provide standardized screening guidelines which were further recommended by The Canadian Ophthalmological Society, the Canadian Association of Pediatric Ophthalmologists and the Canadian Paediatric Society. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol. 35, No. 5, pp 252, 2000.
Canadian Ophthalmological Society evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the periodic eye examination in adults in Canada. Dr. Ells was a member of the Clinical Practice Guideline Expert Committee. Can J Ophthalmol; Vol. 42, No. I, 2007. pg 39-45.