A graduate in biomedical science from Wake Forest University, Donnie Rhett Koonce is an ophthalmic technician at Charlotte Optometric Clinic. While a graduate student, Donnie Rhett Koonce performed various ophthalmic research. He contributed to research which resulted in the publication of a paper on syphilitic retinopathy, which was subsequently submitted for presentation before the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

An infectious disease, syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. Person-to-person transmission can occur through a congenital medium in utero (either through the placenta or contact with an active genitalia lesion during birth) or by small breaks or damage in the skin during sexual intercourse. A common symptom of syphilis is a rash that spreads over the entire body (including the palms and soles of the feet). If left untreated, syphilis can result in complications such as damage to the heart, eyes, nerves, brain, and blood vessels - although these usually begin many years after the initial infection, unless the individual has an immune disorder like HIV.

When syphilis causes damage to the eye, it may affect the front parts (such as the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or crystalline lens) or back areas (like the optic disc, retina, and uveal tract). Syphilitic retinopathy refers to damage to the retina due to an underlying syphilis infection - a common example is inflammation of cells in the retina and associated blood vessels. Often, it can improve with intravenous delivery of antibiotics such as penicillin.