Columbia University Medical Center and Lighthouse Guild Hold Conference on New Technologies for Patients with Vision Loss

Newswise — NEW YORK – Lighthouse Guild, the leading not-for-profit vision and healthcare organization, held its 2016 Alfred W. Bressler Vision Science Symposium and Award Luncheon and The Pisart Award Lecture and Reception at the New York Historical Society on October 28-29, 2016.

Daniel Palanker, PhD, is the recipient of the 2016 Bressler Prize. The Bressler Vision Science Symposium on “Technologies for Restoration of Sight in Retinal Degeneration,” took place on Saturday, October 29, 2016, from 9:00am to 2:30pm.

Pradeep Y. Ramulu, MD, PhD, is the 2016 Pisart Award honoree. The Pisart Award lecture, entitled “Functional and Behavioral Implications of Low Vision,” and reception was held Friday, October 28, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm.

“Both scientists, chosen by an independent panel of judges from various vision care disciplines, are being recognized for their remarkable contributions to the field of vision science and the significant impact of their research,” said Alan R. Morse, JD, PhD, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild.

“Improving the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired is a core tenet of Lighthouse Guild,” Dr. Morse added. “By recognizing leading clinicians and researchers, who are searching for and finding ways to understand visual mechanisms, restore vision, and help those with vision loss, we bring new energy to our shared purpose and help lay the foundation for tomorrow’s breakthroughs. We look forward to collaborating with them to help people deal effectively with vision loss.”

A technology conference, co-sponsored with the Columbia University Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology and directed by Stanley Chang, MD, K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology and Former Chair of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center and Dr. Morse, was held on Friday, October 28, 2016, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The conference, is titled, “New Technologies for the Patient with Vision Loss. Among speakers was Dr. Stephen H. Tsang, MD, PhD, an internationally recognized clinician and geneticist specializing in the treatment of retinal disorders using gene therapy.

2016 Bressler Prize RecipientDr. Palanker is a Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory at Stanford University. A physicist by training and working at the interface of physics and ophthalmology, Dr. Palanker directs one of the most sophisticated multi-disciplinary research programs on electro-neural interfaces, including small wireless photovoltaic retinal implants, allowing for easier implantation and better vision.

Besides his work on retinal prosthetics and neural stimulation for treatment of dry eye syndrome, Dr. Palanker’s studies of laser interactions with retinal cells revealed the tissue response mechanisms that lie at the root of cellular repair following laser therapy. This discovery led to the development of the non-damaging retinal laser therapy for the macula.

Every year since 2003, the Bressler Prize has recognized a mid-career vision clinician or scientist whose leadership, research and service have led to important advancements in the understanding of vision loss, treatment of eye disease, or the rehabilitation of people with vision loss. 2016 Pisart Award RecipientThe Pisart Award, established in 1981, recognizes an early-career vision clinician or scientist whose noteworthy, innovative and scholarly contributions to vision science have the potential for substantial influence in the understanding of vision loss, treatment of eye disease or the rehabilitation of people with vision loss.

Dr. Pradeep Ramulu, this year’s recipient, is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Ramulu is a glaucoma specialist in clinical practice. One aspect of Dr. Ramulu's research focuses on difficulties patients with vision loss have with reading, walking, driving and traveling, including rehabilitative strategies to increase the safety and quality of life for all individuals with glaucoma.

About Lighthouse GuildLighthouse Guild, headquartered in New York City, is the leading not-for-profit vision and healthcare organization with a long history of addressing the needs of people who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities or chronic medical conditions. With more than 200 years of experience and service, Lighthouse Guild brings a level of understanding to vision care that is unmatched. By integrating vision and healthcare services and expanding access through its programs and education and awareness, we help people lead productive, dignified and fulfilling lives. For more information, visit lighthouseguild.org.

About Columbia University Medical CenterColumbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. The campus that Columbia University Medical Center shares with its hospital partner, NewYork-Presbyterian, is now called the Columbia University Irving Medical Center. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.

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