Seminar: March 8, 2003

    First SupportSight of Austin Meeting


    Austin Retina Associates and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) held the first FREE SupportSight meeting in Austin on Saturday, March 8, 2003 at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. MVRF SupportSight is the first-ever national series of support group seminars for people suffering with macular degeneration and their families. Over 300 people attended the SupportSight seminar.

    Program
    Jack W. Pierce, M.D., of Austin Retina Associates discussed:

    • What is Macular degeneration?
    • Treatments for Age-related Macular degeneration

    C. Armitage Harper, III, M.D. of Austin Retina Associates discussed:

    • Nutritional Medicine for Age-related Macular degeneration

    Mary Betty Roeder, an 81 year-old legally blind macular degeneration patient from West Chester, Pennsylvania discussed:

    • Living with Macular degeneration — Coping Mechanisms

    Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director, Macula Vision Research Foundation discussed the Foundation and its history and commitment to research and support for those with macular degeneration.

    A lively and informative question and answer session followed each speaker’s presentation.

    Age-related Macular degeneration
    Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in American adults over 60, but the nearly 15 million people affected are often reluctant to discuss their condition or ask for help. There is a great need to raise awareness about macular degeneration - to bring this condition to the public eye.

    Support Group Research
    Healthcare research has shown that support groups can be very helpful to people who suffer from diseases such as macular degeneration. “Each time I diagnose patients with macular degeneration, I find myself wishing I could refer them to a support group so they won’t feel so isolated,” said Jack W. Pierce, M.D., of Austin Retina Associates. “SupportSight is a wonderful program, and I am hoping it will help my patients meet others with the disease so they can share solutions and coping techniques, and hopefully help them feel more confident with their situation.”

    “There is a critical need for education and information among patients with macular degeneration and their families,” said Armitage Harper, III, M.D.

    Macular degeneration
    Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula, resulting in the loss of sharp central vision. An impaired macula prevents a person from clearly seeing objects straight ahead, such as words on a page, television, or the faces of loved ones. At its worst, sufferers of macular degeneration have only limited peripheral vision.

    An 89-year-old patient of Austin Retina Associates was diagnosed ten years ago. He cannot read or drive, and his computer is outfitted with a voice reader so he can check his email. He relies heavily on his wife, and she, too was recently diagnosed with the disease in one eye. “I think the disease should be publicized,” he said. “I think the support group will be helpful as there is great benefit in sharing little pointers for coping with other people facing the same fate.”

    Macula Vision Research Foundation
    The Macula Vision Research Foundation gives 100 percent of every dollar raised to research and public education programs, as the administrative costs of the Foundation are underwritten. It has been estimated that with seven adults turning 50 every minute, macular degeneration may become the disease of the 21st century — by 2025, more than 23 million adults are expected to be diagnosed. Although there is no known cure, recent progress in research provides great hope for future discoveries into the cause, prevention, treatment, and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration.

    “I was shocked at how little people knew about this issue, which is becoming an epidemic with the growth of the aging population,” said Herbert Lotman, Founder, Macula Vision Research Foundation. “This organization was founded to find the cure for this disease and to save the sight of the millions affected. This can and will be done, but only through fundraising support for critical research, some of which is discussed at these seminars. We are also aware of the great need for support for patients with macular degeneration and their families.”