CONTACT:
Ruth Mack
Manning, Selvage & Lee
(212) 213-7243
Vernice Williams
The Lighthouse Inc.
(212) 821-9559
LIGHTHOUSE CONVENES NATIONAL EXPERTS TO SHARE LATEST RESEARCH ON MACULAR DEGENERATION
--The Lighthouse Inc. Holds Second Annual Invitational Symposium on Macular Degeneration--
NEW YORK, NY, June 12, 1998 --Lighthouse and other leading researchers, ophthalmologists and professionals from across the country will present key findings today about recent advances in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of vision loss among Americans over age 60. The Lighthouse Inc. Second Annual Invitational Symposium on Macular Degeneration will take place on Friday, June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the organization's national headquarters in Manhattan.
Dr. Barbara Silverstone, President and CEO of The Lighthouse Inc. said that the organization annually serves thousands of people whose vision is impaired by the disease and added, "More than 75 million baby boomers are reaching the age when the first signs of the disease become evident. Macular degeneration is a major public health issue that The Lighthouse and other eye health professionals are actively addressing so that people can get the help they need."
Highlights of the symposium include a presentation about the first ever identification of the gene associated with age-related macular degeneration and the preliminary results of a study measuring the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in stopping the bleeding and leakage of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
Age-related macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, currently affects 13.2 million Americans according to statistics compiled by The Lighthouse.
Presentation Highlights
Leading experts in the field who are speaking at the invitational symposium include: Alexander Brucker, M.D., Scheie Eye Institute, Univ. of Pennsylvania Health System, "Update on Ongoing Studies: Laser for Drusen, Thalidomide and Submacular Surgery;" Cynthia J. MacKay, M.D., Columbia Univ. College of Physicians and Surgeons, "Status of Retinal Cell Transplantation;" Ronald A. Schuchard, Ph.D., Univ. of Missouri, Kansas City, Director of Research, Eye Foundation of Kansas City, "Using the Scanning Laser Ophthalmascope to Assess Visual Function Directly on the Retina;" Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, "Environmental, Medical and Genetic Factors Associated with Macular Degeneration;" Jason S. Slakter, M.D., Vitreoretinal Service, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital,"Photodynamic Therapy in the Management of Age-related Macular Degeneration;" and David R.Guyer, M.D., Director of Residency Training and Retinal Service, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, "Pharmacological Intervention for Age-Related Macular Degeneration."
Lighthouse experts will detail the psychosocial and functional effects of macular degeneration and how they can be overcome through treatment and rehabilitation. The Lighthouse presenters include: Kent Higgins, Ph.D., Vision Research Investigator, Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute of The Lighthouse Inc. and Amy Horowitz, D.S.W., Sr. Vice President for Research and Evaluation, Director, Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute, "Driving Behaviors and Driving Cessation Among Older People with Low Vision," which will include findings from a recent survey and future directions for research.
In addition, Aries Arditi, Ph.D., Director of Vision Research for The Lighthouse will present, "Perceptual Phenomena Associated with Macular Disease," which will examine perceptual effects of macular scotomas (localized areas of vision loss). A special panel discission, "Vision Rehabilitation: from Research to Practice," will feature Lighthouse experts Debra Budick, OD, Low Vision Clinician and Joann P. Reinhardt, Ph.D., Sr. Research Associate, as well as Lynne Luxton, Ed.D., Director of Rehabilitation, Helen Keller Services for the Blind (Brooklyn, NY) and Marshall Flax, Director of the Vision Rehabilitation Service, Wisconsin Council of the Blind (Madison, WI).
The symposium is made possible by an endowment of the Mrs. Cecilia Schupf & Paul J. Schupf Invitational Symposia Series which is designed to advance the field of vision education.
The Lighthouse is the world's leading resource on vision rehabilitation. Its mission, philosophy and advocacy efforts are carried out through regional, national and international programs to enable people who are blind or have partial sight to lead independent and productive lives. A not-for-profit organization, The Lighthouse offers a broad range of educational opportunities for the public and health and human service providers as well as conducts major research studies on the impact of vision impairment. For more information about The Lighthouse, visit its website at www.lighthouse.org.
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