Seminar: March 29, 2003

    First Meeting of the MVRF SupportSight of Lexington

    Retina and Vitreous Associates of Kentucky teamed up with the Macula Vision Research Foundation to put on a free seminar for Lexington area seniors coping with macular degeneration. This meeting was the second in a series of information sessions and more than 200 people attended at the Hamburg Pavilion.

    Program
    Thomas W. Stone, M.D., of Retina and Vitreous Associates of Lexington, Kentucky discussed:

    • What is Macular degeneration?

    William J. Wood, M.D., of Retina and Vitreous Associates of Lexington, Kentucky discussed:

    • Treatments 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. " Seminars like SupportSight provide an opportunity for people with similar concerns and problems to share solutions and suggestions. There is no better coping mechanism than enlisting the support of others in the same situation,” said David Orth, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor of Ophthalmology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center. 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.

    Currently, there is no cure, but there are treatments available and more in development that work to halt the progression of the disease. “A lot of resources are being funneled into various aspects of macular degeneration and positive results are benefiting patients and their families,” said Serge de Bustros, M.D., Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center.

    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."

    The Macula Vision Research Foundation's mission is to find the cause, prevention, treatment, and cure for macula vision diseases with the goal of saving sight and to provide public education about the condition. The organization can be reached, toll-free, at 1-866-4-macula (866-462-2852).

    The Macula Vision Research Foundation Support Group's mission is to enhance the quality of life of the ever-growing population who are affected by or concerned with macular degeneration through public education programs, support groups, the toll-free hotline (866-4-macula), responding to the needs of patients, their families and loved ones, through question and answer sessions following public education programs, and printed and taped literature.