SupportSight Los Angeles, California

Next Seminar: November 8, 2008

Previous Seminars:

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Previous Seminars:

October 20, 2007
October 20 was an enlightening day in Los Angeles for people with macular degeneration, as well as their families and friends. Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, working with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) presented a free seminar for the public at the Skirball Cultural Center. The size of the crowd on hand showed that this population was interested in the latest information about macular degeneration.

The audience was treated to a pair of presentations by J. Jill Hopkins, M.D. Hopkins first session centered on information regarding the newest information about macular degeneration research and treatments. She paused at the close of the session to take questions from the well-informed and inquisitive audience.

Following the Q&A, Hopkins presented "Genetics – Will Your Family Members Get Macular Degeneration?" She explained the science behind the disease and relayed the information in a way that the audience easily understood and appreciated. It was clear from the questions that were asked following this second session that macular degeneration affects not just those with the disease, but their family members as well.

On hand to discuss the mission of the MVRF was Executive Director Lea Bramnick. She told the audience that the MVRF is dedicated to funding research into the cause, prevention, treatment and ultimately, a cure for macular degeneration, all of which is aided by the fact that one hundred percent of funds raised go toward this goal, as the organization is entirely underwritten for all administrative expenses. Finally, Mary Betty Roeder addressed the crowd to talk about her personal experiences with macular degeneration, how it has affected her life and how she has learned to not only cope with it, but thrive with it as well.

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April 22, 2006
Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to present a free seminar on macular degeneration on Saturday, April 22. Held at the Moseley-Salvatori Conference Center, the program attracted patients as well as family and friends, who are caregivers for people with macular degeneration.

The program featured Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, which is headquartered outside of Philadelphia. Ms. Bramnick discussed the mission of the unique organization, which is entirely underwritten, enabling it to donate 100 percent of dollars raised to research and support programs. MVRF has partnered with private practices in more than 20 cities across the country to deliver similar seminars.

Dr. Firas M. Rahhal discussed the latest information on research and treatment for macular degeneration, and psychotherapist Janice Goldhaber, MA, MFT, talked of the importance of the role of family and friends. Depression and isolation can be a serious concern when a person is diagnosed with macular degeneration, and Ms. Goldhaber shared her insight for how avoid those feelings and go on with a positive productive life.

Lastly, Geary Johnson gave a very positive talk about his own experience living with macular degeneration, inspiring the newly diagnosed and reinvigorating those who hae lived with this disease for a long time.

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March 5, 2005
An eager crowd of more than 200 people attended a free seminar on macular degeneration. Sponsored by the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) in partnership with Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, the meeting was held on March 5. This was the second in a series of information sessions sponsored by the two groups, and the topic was “Diagnosis, Depression and Rising Above It.”

Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, welcomed the audience and provided a brief background on the foundation and its unique fundraising mission. She discussed the amazing growth they have had, and the critical need for continuing to raise money for research.

Thomas Chu, M.D., Ph.D., Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, explained how the diagnosis of macular degeneration is made and addressed the reactions of patients involved with receiving a diagnosis of macular degeneration. He noted that many people are unfamiliar with the disease at their diagnosis, demonstrating the importance of information seminars to raise awareness.

Phyllis Amaral, Ph.D., gave a particularly powerful and inspiring presentation on how to combat the depression that often accompanies a diagnosis. Dr. Amaral validated patients’ feelings of despair and hopelessness, but provided a positive perspective that gave renewed optimism to the patients in the audience. Her discussion was so well-received that audience members crowded her after the meeting, thanking her for giving them hope.

Patient Etta Benjamin, herself an optimist, was successful in demonstrating that the glass can still be “half-full” for patients with macular degeneration. She urged her peers to ask for help when they need it, and to not be afraid to seek out new ways to do things instead of giving up. Mrs. Benjamin talked about her full, active life with such intensity and excitement that her audience was extremely receptive and invigorated.

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Los Angeles Area Seniors Attend Seminar on Macular Degeneration

November 22, 2003
Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, under the leadership of David S. Boyer, M.D. in conjunction with the Macula Vision Research Foundation, presented the second in a series of free information seminars for people suffering from low vision due to macular degeneration.

Attendees were addressed by a number of speakers including: Dr. Boyer and Ron P. Gallemore, M.D., Ph.D., who discussed clinical trials for macular degeneration; Janice Goldhaber, M.A., M.F.T, from the Center for the Partially Sighted in Los Angeles, who discussed living with low vision. Also addressing the seminar was Avani Patel, O.D., F.A.A.O, who provided information on low vision services and adaptive aids available to people living in the Los Angeles area.

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.

Receiving the Diagnosis
When people receive this diagnosis, they are often frightened and confused, they usually do not know anything about macular degeneration and many do not know anyone who has the disease. It is very important to become knowledgeable about support services so that people can remain independent and continue to do things for themselves.

Support Groups
Groups like MVRF SupportSight Los Angeles provide people with an outlet to share concerns and learn coping techniques from others who have found ways to solve some of the challenges of low vision. Dr. David S. Boyer and his partners, Drs. Edgar L. Thomas, Roger L. Novack, Thomas G. Chu, Ron P. Gallemore at Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group are very pleased to be able to refer their patients to SupportSight seminars, knowing that the discussions and shared experiences that they have with other patients are invaluable.

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First MVRF SupportSight of Los Angeles Meeting

March 22, 2003
Retina Associates and the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) held the first FREE SupportSight meeting in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 22, 2003 at the Skirball Cultural Center. MVRF SupportSight is the first-ever national series of support group seminars for people suffering with macular degeneration and their families. Over 400 people attended the SupportSight seminar.

Program
Roger Novack, M.D., Ph.D. of Los Angeles' Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group discussed:

David Boyer, M.D. discussed:

Mary Betty Roeder, an 81 year-old legally blind macular degeneration patient from West Chester, Pennsylvania discussed:

Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director, Macula Vision Research Foundation discussed the Foundation and its history and commitment to research and support for those with macular degeneration.

A lively and informative question and answer session followed each speaker's presentation.

Age-related Macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in American adults over 60, but the nearly 15 million people affected are often reluctant to discuss their condition or ask for help. There is a great need to raise awareness about macular degeneration - to bring this condition to the public eye.

Support Group Research
Healthcare research has shown that support groups can be very helpful to people who suffer from diseases such as macular degeneration. “By holding seminars like SupportSight, people with similar concerns and problems can have the forum to share solutions and suggestions which can boost confidence and enable sufferers to cope better with their loss of vision,” said David Boyer, M.D. of Retina Associates.

“We are seeing increasing numbers of patients diagnosed and new treatment options are under development every day. In order for patients to understand their disease and their future, education is vital.”

A 74 year-old patient of Retina Associates said, “Before I was diagnosed, I had never heard of macular degeneration. I had no idea what was happening to me. Now the second eye is having symptoms and it is very distressing to me. Meeting people with similar problems and sharing concerns and solutions for coping was the most helpful thing.”

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

"I was shocked at how little people knew about this issue, which is becoming an epidemic with the growth of the aging population," said Herbert Lotman, Founder, Macula Vision Research Foundation. "This organization was founded to find the cure for this disease and to save the sight of the millions affected. This can and will be done, but only through fundraising support for critical research, some of which is discussed at these seminars. We are also aware of the great need for support for patients with macular degeneration and their families."

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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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