Seminar: February 15, 2003

    First SupportSight of Tucson Meeting

    Retina Associates and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) held the first FREE SupportSight meeting in Tucson on Saturday, February 15, 2003 at the Tucson Convention Center. 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
    Leonard Joffe, M.D., of Tucson’s Retina Associates discussed:

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

    Alexander J. Brucker, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, discussed:

    • Update of Vitamin Therapy 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.

    Support Group Research
    Healthcare research has shown that support groups can be very helpful to people who suffer from diseases such as macular degeneration. “Patients will cope better with their loss of vision if they are able to share their concerns with people with similar problems. SupportSight will provide this forum, and will boost confidence and independence among people with macular degeneration, said Leonard Joffe, M.D. of Retina Associates.

    “This disease is rising in prevalence every year, and people need to be aware of the options for coping, even as new treatments are under development.”

    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.

    A 74 year-old patient of Retina Associates said, “Before I was diagnosed, I had never heard of macular degeneration. I had no idea what was happening to me. Now the second eye is having symptoms and it is very distressing to me. Meeting people with similar problems and sharing concerns and solutions for coping was the most helpful thing.”

    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."