Seminar: August 9, 2003
Free Seminar for Visually Impaired Seniors Attracts Large Crowd
Austin Retina Associates partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation to present an information seminar for Austin area seniors coping with macular degeneration. The meeting was widely attended, drawing more than 250 people to the J. J. Pickle Center. The seminar featured speakers from local support organizations that provide services for visually impaired people in the Austin area.
Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness and visual impairment in American adults over 65, and nearly 15 million people are affected. Surprisingly, however, according to a recent survey commissioned by AMD Alliance International, 58 percent of people in the United States were not at all familiar with the disease.
Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula, resulting in a 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 very limited peripheral vision.
Receiving the Diagnosis
When people receive this diagnosis, they are often frightened and confused, they usually do not know anything about macular degeneration and many do not know anyone who has the disease. It is very important to become knowledgeable about support services so that people can remain independent and continue to do things for themselves.
Support Groups
Support groups like SupportSight Austin provide people with an outlet to share concerns and learn coping techniques from others who have found ways to solve some problems. Dr. James Dooner along with his partners at Austin Retina Associates, Drs. Driver, Pierce, Harper, Martinez, McCrary, Kuhl and Levitan, are very pleased to be able to refer their patients to SupportSight seminars, knowing that the discussions and shared experiences that they have with other patients are invaluable.
Speakers at the Meeting
Dr. Dooner discussed clinical trials for macular degeneration. Kathi Young, CCRC Low Vision Coordinator discussed low vision services and adaptive aids. Ron Lucey, Medical Services Specialist, discussed living with low vision, and Shannon Nay, Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher discussed resources available in the Austin area for people with low vision.
The 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 of the cause, prevention, treatment and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration.