Growing the Future of Glaucoma Research: BrightFocus “Glaucoma Fast Track” on October 23
![A scientist preparing to look at a slide under a microscope. Below the image is the following text: Glaucoma Fast Track, October 23, 2019](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1920x1080/public/legacy/images/glaucoma-fast-track-2019-800-x-500.jpg?h=e91a75a9&itok=peP1cxYy 1080w)
The second-ever BrightFocus Glaucoma Fast TrackSM Workshop is taking place October 23 at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
The day-long workshop provides a unique immersive environment for early-stage scientists focused on glaucoma research or those who want to enter the field to accelerate their path towards becoming an expert in this exciting field.
“Glaucoma Fast Track is a great opportunity to learn the latest research on the disease and interact with some of the world’s foremost vision scientists,” said Diane Bovenkamp, PhD, vice president for Scientific Affairs at BrightFocus, who helped organize the workshop and is a featured speaker.
[Learn more about this year’s workshop]
Modeled after BrightFocus’ highly successful Alzheimer’s Fast Track Workshop, Glaucoma Fast Track is being held just prior to the October 23-26 ISER/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium, Concepts and Breakthroughs in Glaucoma, which BrightFocus co-leads with the International Society of Eye Research (ISER). It’s the second time for both events, which were first held at the same location in 2017.
The 2019 workshop is co-chaired by John C. Morrison, MD of Casey Eye Institute, who also serves as the chair of the scientific review committee (SRC) for BrightFocus’ National Glaucoma Research (NGR) program and Abbott F. Clark, PhD of North Texas Eye Research Institute, also a long serving member of the NGR SRC. The faculty for the 2019 workshop include world’s leading researchers and clinicians in the field , who reflect on an array of knowledge and expertise in key areas of glaucoma treatment and new science, including imaging and early diagnosis; current and future therapies; dynamic pressure measurements; genetic contributors; ways to assess the optic nerve and tissue damage; other neurodegeneration associated with glaucoma; and the all-critical effort to develop disease models capable of informing about the disease process and cures in humans.
A special guest this year will be MSNBC network anchor Richard Lui. He has taken a strong personal interest in BrightFocus’ work, as his own family has been impacted by diseases of mind and sight.
BrightFocus’ National Glaucoma Research program currently is supporting over 32 scientific projects worldwide, a more than $6 million investment to end a disease that affects over 3 million Americans, a number expected to double by mid-century unless progress is made.