Newswise — San Francisco, CA – December 11, 2019: Glaucoma Research Foundation President and CEO, Thomas M. Brunner, announced today that ophthalmology industry innovators Vicente Anido, Jr., PhD and Thomas A. Mitro of Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will be honored at the Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala on February 6, 2020 in San Francisco.

The Catalyst Award, Glaucoma Research Foundation’s highest honor, will be presented to Vicente Anido, Jr., PhD and Thomas A. Mitro in recognition of their remarkable leadership and commitment to the development of innovative treatments that have advanced glaucoma care.

“Aerie has supported several educational initiatives for glaucoma patients and caregivers in cooperation with Glaucoma Research Foundation. We are honored to recognize Vicente and Tom for their extraordinary contributions to ophthalmology and dedication to improving the lives of people with glaucoma,” Mr. Brunner said.

Also at the 2020 Annual Gala, Paul Sieving, MD, PhD will receive the 2020 Visionary Award in honor of his exceptional leadership of the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the launch of the NEI Audacious Goals Initiative for Regenerative Medicine, a 15-year cross-disciplinary research effort with the goal to replace cells of the retina that have been damaged by disease or injury and to restore their connections to the visual centers of the brain. Mr. Brunner noted, “Dr. Sieving is recognized throughout the world for his leadership in vision research.” Dr. Sieving recently joined the faculty at the University of California Davis Health Eye Center, where he is continuing his visionary research.

The Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research is presented annually at the Gala to recognize an exceptional research project that best exemplifies the pursuit of innovative ideas in the quest to better understand glaucoma. The 2020 Shaffer Prize will be presented to Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk, PhD (University of California, San Diego) for her study investigating molecular changes in glaucoma and targeting senescent cells in order to protect healthy retinal ganglion cells from dying.

The President’s Award will be presented to The Wilmoth Family (Mill Valley, CA) – Catherine, Charles, and their three children Cate, Tess, and Christopher. “Glaucoma Research Foundation is indebted to the Wilmoth family for their ongoing advocacy, support and inspiration,” said Mr. Brunner.

About Glaucoma 360

Glaucoma 360 is a three-day series of events dedicated to speeding the development of new therapies and diagnostics for glaucoma patients. Glaucoma often has no symptoms in its early stages, yet it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. More than 1,000 attendees are expected to participate in Glaucoma 360 events. The Annual Gala kicks off Glaucoma 360 on Thursday night, February 6, 2020.

Co-chaired by Michele and Steven Kirsch, the Annual Gala includes a reception, a dinner to celebrate the donors, volunteers, and scientists who have done so much to help advance the field of glaucoma research, and a matching gift opportunity as part of the live auction’s Fund-A-Scientist initiative.  Glaucoma 360 continues on Friday, February 7th with the 9th Annual New Horizons Forum, a full-day meeting dedicated to innovations in glaucoma therapies and diagnostics. New Horizons will feature panelists and speakers from more than 60 companies and institutions. Glaucoma 360 concludes on Saturday, February 8th with two continuing medical education symposia for ophthalmologists and optometrists.

“Glaucoma 360 has become a significant catalyst in advancing new therapies to help patients preserve vision,” Mr. Brunner said. “We continually strive to do more to help glaucoma patients.” All proceeds from Glaucoma 360 support Glaucoma Research Foundation’s research and education programs. To learn more about the 2020 events or to register, visit the website: www.glaucoma360.org.

About Glaucoma Research Foundation

Founded in San Francisco in 1978, Glaucoma Research Foundation is America’s oldest and most experienced institution dedicated to its mission to cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research.

The Foundation has a proven track record of pioneering, results-oriented research and produces definitive educational materials used by eye care professionals across the country. The Glaucoma Research Foundation website, www.glaucoma.org, provides valuable information about glaucoma to 4 million visitors annually. Through The Cure is in Sight: The Campaign for Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than $21 million has been raised to support glaucoma research and education initiatives over the past five years.

For more information about the Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala, or to purchase individual tickets, please contact Brizette Castellanos at 415.986.3162, ext. 221, or visit www.glaucoma360.org.

Meeting Link: Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala, February 6, 2020