SupportSight Houston, Texas

Vitreoretinal Consultants

Next Seminar: December 6, 2008

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Previous Seminars:

Seminar on Macular Degeneration Gives Information and Hope

January 27, 2007
A crowd gathered at Rice University on January 27, 2006, eager to learn more about macular degeneration at a free seminar sponsored by Vitreoretinal Consultants and Macula Vision Research Foundation. The audience included people living with the disease, as well as their friends, family members and caregivers.

Dr. David Brown started the program by providing information on the newest research and treatments available for macular degeneration. Dr. Richard Fish talked about the diagnosis of macular degeneration, the depression that may accompany it, and how to rise above it. Father Wayland Coe gave a remarkably inspiration talk about his own life and how he copes with his macular degeneration.

Lea Bramnick, Executive Director of the Macula Vision Research Foundation, closed the seminar by discussing the mission of the sponsoring organization, which has started seminar series like the Houston one in more than 23 cities across the country.

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January 29, 2005
Exactly one year after launching the SupportSight program in Houston in January 2004, Vitreoretinal Consultants once again partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to host the second meeting on January 29 at Rice University. More than 100 people attended the second meeting of SupportSight, which featured a robust agenda with four very informative presentations.

The crowd was welcomed by Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, which is headquartered outside of Philadelphia. Lea told everyone about the amazing progress and impact the SupportSight programs have had in cities all over the country.

Next, Dr. David Brown from Vitreoretinal Consultants provided an interesting update on the current state of research and clinical trials for macular degeneration. He explained that the number of trials is actually increasing, because new research has recently yielded new treatment options. This gave the crowd a renewed sense of hope for their futures with this disease.

Dr. Stanley Woo gave a well-received presentation on low vision services and adaptive aids for low vision patients. This was particularly helpful for people who were newly diagnosed and were still learning to adapt to their condition. Things such as transportation within the community, opportunities for reading large-print books and books on tape, and telephone assistance, were all mentioned, as well as many others.

Three invited guests described their own experiences with macular degeneration. John and Eva Schriever were role models for the audience as they talked about their full, productive lives. Winton Davenport, also a patient, shared his ideas and hints for how he plays golf and completes crossword puzzles, things that people without impaired vision frequently struggle to perfect! He was truly inspirational, and the audience clearly was impacted by his uplifting discussion.

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Hundreds Attend Free Presentation on Macular Degeneration

January 24, 2004
Vitreoretinal Consultants partnered with The Macula Vision Research Foundation to present a free seminar for Houston area seniors coping with macular degeneration. This seminar was attended by more than 300 people.

The seminar focused on providing an overview of the disease, and speakers included Richard Fish, M.D., David M. Brown, M.D., and Tien P. Wong, M.D., all retina specialists in practice with Vitreoretinal Consultants of Houston. This meeting was the first in a series of planned events.

Speakers at the Meeting

Dr. Fish provided an overview on what macular degeneration is, and Dr. Brown provided insight on current treatments and ongoing clinical trials. Dr. Wong discussed vitamin therapy for age related macular degeneration. Two additional speakers addressed the crowd. These included Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of the Macula Vision Research Foundation, based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. The Foundation's mission is to find the cause, prevention, treatment and cure for macula vision diseases with the goal of saving sight and to provide support and public education about the disease and support to those suffering from macular degeneration. The other speaker, Mary Betty Roeder, talked about coping with macular degeneration. Her discussion is inspiring and uplifting, explaining how full, meaningful and active lives can be led even with macular degeneration.

The 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 of the cause, prevention, treatment and ultimately the cure for macular degeneration.

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Contact

Would you like to volunteer?
Do you need more information?

SupportSight

Macula Vision Research Foundation SupportSight
Five Tower Bridge
300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 600
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2984

Please call Lea Bramnick
Toll free 1-866-462-2852
1-866-4-macula
Email: lea@mvrf.org
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