Vatinee Y. Bunya, MD, MSCE
Harold G. Scheie Chair & Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Co-Director, Penn Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Center
Director, Women in Ophthalmology Mentoring Initiative, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania
Physical Safety & Awareness Committee Member, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania
Committee Member, Penn Presbyterian WorkPlace Violence Committee
Director of Clinical Research, Scheie Eye Institute
Penn Cobalt Community Page Sponsor, University of Pennsylvania
Department: Ophthalmology
Contact information
Scheie Eye Institute
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
51 North 39th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Publications
Education:
BA (Molecular Biology)
Princeton University, Cum Laude, 1996.
MD (Medicine)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2001.
MSCE (Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2019.
BA (Molecular Biology)
Princeton University, Cum Laude, 1996.
MD (Medicine)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2001.
MSCE (Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania, 2019.
Post-Graduate Training
Transitional Intern, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA, 2001-2002.
Ophthalmology Resident, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2002-2005.
Co-Chief Resident, Wills Eye Institute, 2004-2005.
Cornea Fellow, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2005-2006.
Transitional Intern, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA, 2001-2002.
Ophthalmology Resident, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2002-2005.
Co-Chief Resident, Wills Eye Institute, 2004-2005.
Cornea Fellow, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2005-2006.
Certifications
American Board of Ophthalmology, 2007.
Permanent linkAmerican Board of Ophthalmology, 2007.
Description of Research Expertise
Dr. Bunya has extensive experience in the study of dry eye and diseases that affect the ocular surface and eyelids. She also has a special interest in the study of Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that classically causes dry eye and dry mouth. Dr. Bunya has been the principal investigator for several dry eye clinical trials. She currently is working to develop better ways to measure dry eye and to screen patients for Sjogren's syndrome.Key Words
Dry eye, Sjogren's syndrome, meibomian gland dysfunction
Description of Clinical Expertise
Dr. Bunya is the Co-Director of the Penn Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Center. She cares for patients with dry eye, Sjogren's syndrome, and other disorders that affect the ocular surface.Selected Publications
Shen C, He J, Asbell PA, Bunya VY, Ying GS; Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study Research Group: Association between Race and Ethnicity and Severity of Dry Eye Disease. Ophthalmology Page: 620-622, May 2025.Gupta AS, Linaburg TJ, Iacobucci E, Augello PA, Qin VL, Ying GS, Bunya VY, Massaro M: Varenicline Solution Nasal Spray for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease in Sjogren's Disease: A Pilot Study. Clin Ophthalmol Page: 1073-1084, Mar 2025.
Jacob A, He J, Peck A, Jamil A, Bunya V, Alexander JJ, Ambrus JL: Metabolic changes during evolution of Sjögren's in both an animal model and human patients. Heliyon Dec 2024.
Mohammed AA, Abashawl A, Dodson S, Alemayehu W, Gemechu A, Mengesha AA, Kumsa D, Succar T, Chen Y, McWilliams K, Bunya VY, Maguire MG, Burton MJ, Ying GS, Kempen JH; FLuorometholone as Adjunctive MEdical Therapy for Trachomatous Trichiasis Surgery (FLAME) Trial Research Group: The FLuorometholone as Adjunctive MEdical Therapy for Trachomatous Trichiasis Surgery (FLAME) Trial: Study Design. medRXiv July 2024.
Kaiser EA, Haggerty EB, Garner DP, Bunya VY, Aguirre GK. : A measure of the blink reflex to parametric variation of mechanical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. Psychophysiology July 2024.
Nguyen BJ, Gupta AS, He J, Ying GS, Bunya VY, Macchi I, Massaro-Giordano M. : Corneal Epithelial Thickness in Sjogren's Disease: A Pilot Study. Clin Ophthalmol Page: 2175-2182, July 2024.
Lee DC, Guo M, Yu Y, Bunya VY, Asbell P, Ying GS. : Two-Year Progression of Dry Eye Disease in Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study. Cornea Feb 2024 Notes: Online ahead of print.
Lee DC, Guo M, Yu Y, Bunya VY, Asbell P, Ying GS. : Two-Year Progression of Dry Eye Disease in Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study. Cornea Page: Online ahead of print, Feb 2024.
Xiong F, Pula D, Akpek EK, Bunya VY, Shiboski CH, Lietman TL, Gonzales JA. : Sjögren's Versus Non-Sjögren's Ocular Features: Similar Symptoms, But Significantly Worse Signs. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 65(1): 23, Jan 2024.
Zhao M, Yu Y, Roy NS, Ying GS, Asbell P, Bunya VY. : Sex-related differences and hormonal effects in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study. Br J Ophthalmol 108(1): 23-29, Dec 2023.
