Press Releases

BrightFocus Telephone "Chat" to Spotlight Progress on Vision Disease

  • Press Release
Published on:

March 26: "What is on the Horizon for Macular Degeneration?"

CLARKSBURG, MD—The second in a series of free telephone discussions on vision diseases takes place on March 26, when BrightFocus Foundation presents “What is on the Horizon for Macular Degeneration?,” a look at research discoveries that could impact prevention and treatments for a disease affecting 11 million Americans.

This second BrightFocus Chat, which begins at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific), on March 26 and features a physician-scientist from Vanderbilt Eye Institute, addresses one of the most common vision disorders in persons 60 and older. Macular degeneration harms the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed to see objects clearly. In advanced stages the disease can result in blurred or distorted vision.

“Although there are only a few approved treatments for this disease, patients are confronted with a dizzying amount of information,” says Chat moderator Guy Eakin, Ph.D., BrightFocus Vice President for Scientific Affairs.”Our goal is to cut through these weeds and talk about what therapies are currently available, what might be outdated, and what promising technologies are on the horizon.”

Callers to the chat will be able to learn from and ask questions of the speakers, an ophthalmologist/medical scientist and a patient advocate, who will address the potential impact of the latest research developments.

What: BrightFocus Chat: What is on the Horizon for Macular Degeneration?

When: Wednesday, March 26, 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time (10-11 a.m. Pacific)

Who: Milam Brantley, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Ocular Pharmacogenomics at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN.

How to Join the Call: Before March 24, you can pre-register for an automated phone call service at https://www.brightfocus.org/March26 or you can join the chat directly at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific) on March 26 by calling toll-free 1-877-229-8493, and using the ID code 112435.

Previous Chats: Individuals who missed the popular BrightFocus Chat in February, I Have Macular Degeneration…Now What? can listen to the audio or read the transcript.

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. For more information, call 1-800-437-2423.