SupportSight Livingston, New Jersey

Retina-Vitreous Consultants

Next Seminar: April 4, 2009

Previous Seminars:

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Articles

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Previous Seminars:

April 12, 2008
On April 12, the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) and Retina-Vitreous Consultants teamed up to give a seminar on macular degeneration, designed to bring the latest information about the disease to those who live with it, as well as their friends and families. The seminar, which was both free and open to the public, was held at the Livingston Senior/Community Theater.

The seminar kicked-off with a presentation by Eric D. Kanter, M.D. during which he discussed all the latest research information about macular degeneration. Dr. Kanter covered some of the newest information coming out of research studies and discussed how that might soon apply to patients with the disease. He closed his presentation by fielding audience questions about the new information.

Steven B. Cohen, M.D. was on hand to talk about the latest array of treatment options that are available to combat macular degeneration. Dr. Cohen went over some of the more well-known options, as well as some of the emerging medicine that is newly available, or still on the technological horizon but could soon be an option for patients. He also closed his session with an audience Q&A.

The seminar closed out with a pair fantastic presentations by Mary Betty Roeder, who was present to give her first-hand account of living with macular degeneration and how to not only live, but live well with the disease. Equal parts information and inspiration, Mary's talk was well received by the eager and appreciative audience. As well as her talk on living well with macular degeneration, Mary Betty gave a talk that was created specifically for families and friends of those with the disease. The presentation focused on helping those people define their roles and relationships with patients and how to be the best possible support system for them.

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May 5, 2007
St. Barnabas Medical Center was the site of a low vision fair held on May 5, sponsored by Retina Vitreous Consultants and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF). The free fair featured many new gadgets and aids for people with low vision, who were able to see demonstrations as well as conduct hands-on trials to learn first -hand the benefits of the many products. Nuvision glasses, Jordy, computer products and CCTVs were among the various items displayed at the fair.

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May 13, 2006
The third annual seminar in a series on macular degeneration was presented on May 13 by Retina Vitreous Consultants, Inc., in partnership with the Macula Vision Research Foundation. Held in the Islami Auditorium at St. Barnabas Medical Center, the audience included people who had attended the lecture in previous years as well as many new faces.

The first speaker, Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, provided background on the organization, discussing its founders, mission, and goals. Next, Drs. Steven Cohen and Eric Kanter talked about the newest treatments and research for macular degeneration.

Mary Majors, C.A.L.A., was frank and honest about the depression that can accompany a diagnosis of macular degeneration. She gave patients and their families warning signs to watch for, ideas for what to do if and when depression strikes and told the audience many stories of those who rose above the depression to lead positive and fulfilling lives.

The last speaker, Carol Arlein, herself a person living with macular degeneration, gave a thoughtful talk about how she manages independently with her condition. Her positive outlook left the audience feeling very optimistic.

People in the audience shared compelling experiences of their personal success inspiring attendees.

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May 21, 2005
Retina-Vitreous Consultants partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to put on a presentation of services for people with visual impairments. This was the third in their series of free, public information sessions. Held on May 21 in the Saint Barnabas Medical Center's Islami Auditorium, a crowd of more than 100 listened with great interest to the panel of speakers, all experts on macular degeneration and low vision aids.

The group was greeted by Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, an organization headquartered near Philadelphia. Ms. Bramnicks' group has partnered with private practices like Retina-Vitreous Consultants in nearly twenty cities to produce these seminars, which disseminate vital information to people who suffer from this devastating disease.

Eric D. Kanter, M.D., Retina-Vitreous Consultants, provided an overview of the latest research toward prevention and ultimately a cure for macular degeneration. MVRF's ultimate goal as a fundraising organization is to provide critical funds for necessary research all over the world. The organization is unique, because one hundred percent of all of the dollars raised go directly to research, as all of the administrative costs are underwritten.

Next, Steven B. Cohen, M.D., Retina-Vitreous Consultants, discussed ongoing clinical trials for macular degeneration, which was of great interest to many in the audience. There is currently no known cure for this disease, but each day great strides are made in critical areas of research.

A number of other speakers provided practical information for the group, many with macular degeneration, and others who were family members and friends of people with this disease. Ronald Siwoff, O.D., F.A.O.O., presented a review of low vision services in the community. This was particularly helpful for newly diagnosed patients, as learning to live with their situation is of paramount concern, even more so than prevention and treatment, which are more long term goals. People nodded in approval and family members took notes on the aids available, sometimes for free, such as large print checks, large print books by mail, telephone newspaper reading and transportation services. Dr. Siwoff also discussed adaptive aids that are available for patients with low vision.

Lastly, three macular degeneration patients each addressed the audience to talk about their own experiences coping with the disease. Louis Baragona, Jeannette Novak and Thurman C. Pace, Jr., each provided inspiration and humor, very positive notes on which to end an informative and well-attended session.

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More than Two Hundred People Attended Free Seminar on Macular Degeneration

May 1, 2004
Retina Vitreous Consultants partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation to put on a free seminar for Livingston area seniors coping with macular degeneration. This meeting, held on May 1, was the first in a planned series, and was attended by more than 200 people at the Islami Auditorium at St. Barnabas Hospital. Similar programs have been taking place in more than 16 cities across the country.

The seminar focused on providing an overview of macular degeneration for patients and their caregivers. Speakers included Dr. Eric Kanter and Dr. Steven B. Cohen, who are partners in Retina Vitreous Consultants, a practice limited to diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. Dr. Kanter reviewed current treatment options, and Dr. Cohen provided an update of vitamin therapy for treatment and prevention of macular degeneration. Dr. Francis E. Cangemi also addressed the audience, providing an overview of the disease. Additional speakers included Mary Betty Roeder, a patient who talked about how she copes with her disease, and Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of the Macula Vision Research Foundation.

Macular Degeneration
Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness and visual impairment in American adults over 65, and nearly 15 million people are affected. Surprisingly, however, according to a recent survey commissioned by AMD Alliance International, 58 percent of people in the United States were not at all familiar with the disease.

Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula, resulting in a loss of sharp, central vision. An impaired macula prevents a person from clearly seeing objects straight ahead, such as words on a page; television or the faces of loved ones. At its worst, sufferers of macular degeneration have only very limited peripheral vision.

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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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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