Seminar: October 6, 2007

October 6 was an exciting and informative day in West Chester, PA for people with macular degeneration, as well as their families and friends. Chester County Eye Care Associates teamed with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to present a free seminar for the public, held at Chester County Hospital. The energetic crowd on hand demonstrated that this large population was eager for information.

Lea Bramnick, Executive Director, MVRF, explained that the mission of the MVRF is to fund research into the cause, prevention, treatment and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration – all of which is aided by the fact that one hundred percent of all funds raised go toward this goal, as the organization is entirely underwritten for all administrative expenses.

Bruce Saran, M.D. and Carolyn Glazer-Hockstein, M.D. presented some of the newest research and treatment options for macular degeneration. The attentive audience asked informed and thoughtful questions.

A special presentation on coping with the psychological rigors of macular degeneration was given by psychologist Dennis Given. Given addressed the gamut of emotions that are experienced throughout the process, from diagnosis, to depression and eventually, how to rise above it.

Finally, Mary Betty Roeder addressed the crowd to talk about her own experiences with macular degeneration, how it has affected her life and how she has learned to cope and thrive with it.