BrightFocus Chats: Macular Degeneration: Recent Episodes
BrightFocus Foundation
Monthly in-depth conversations with scientists and eye experts about macular degeneration, how to manage vision loss, and exciting scientific breakthroughs.
In recognition of National Caregivers Month, this episode explores the vital role of those who support individuals living with vision loss—whether family members, professionals, or volunteers. Our guests will discuss the emotional, physical, and financial challenges care partners face and share practical resources to help support them.
Stem cell research is offering new possibilities for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss. In this Macular Chat, Dr. Jeffrey Stern and Dr. Sally Temple, Principal Investigators and Co-Founders of the Neural Stem Cell Institute, will explain what stem cells are, share the latest updates from clinical trials such as Luxa Biotechnology’s RPESC-RPE transplantation, and discuss the safety, outcomes, and future potential of stem cell therapies. They will also address what these advances mean for patients and caregivers today, what clinical trials are available, and what timelines might look like for making these treatments more widely accessible.
Geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration, can lead to irreversible vision loss. New long-term data are offering hope that treatment can slow this decline and help preserve sight. Join Dr. Sara Fard, a retina specialist at Illinois Retina Associates, as she explains the benefits of sustained GA treatment, including slowing the rate of vision loss, protecting retinal tissue, and supporting daily visual function.
Ever wonder how Macular Degeneration Research identifies and supports the most promising scientific studies around the world? We recently awarded $3.8 million to researchers advancing bold ideas to better understand, prevent, and treat macular degeneration. In this episode of Macular Chats, Dr. Diane Bovenkamp highlights several of this year’s groundbreaking projects and explain how they’re driving progress in early detection, risk reduction, new treatments—and ultimately, a cure.
Can a simple vitamin or supplement help protect your sight? In this Macular Chats episode, we explore what current science tells us about nutritional approaches to support eye health, particularly in the context of age-related changes in the retina. Join Dr. Brian McKay and Dr. Murray Brilliant for a conversation about the widely used AREDS2 nutrient formula, as well as exciting new research into L-DOPA, a naturally occurring compound that may offer a stronger role for maintaining retinal health.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, join psychologist Ed McDaniel for an honest conversation about the emotional impact of being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and/or geographic atrophy (GA). Drawing from both his professional expertise and personal experience, Ed will share strategies for coping with anxiety, grief, and loss of independence—and how to start important conversations about mental health with your eye doctor. Learn about resources that can help you feel less alone.
Join us for a special discussion on clinical trials for macular degeneration. Experts from Genentech will provide an overview of the company’s work in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy, including the role of clinical trials and how they work. They will also share details about an upcoming clinical trial for geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry AMD, and what potential participants can expect.
Join us for a conversation about light therapy and macular degeneration, where we’ll explore how different types of light—blue, red, and sunlight—affect the retina, the science behind light therapy, and the newly approved Valeda red light therapy. Plus, we’ll answer listener questions about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) lights, red light therapy for early-stage AMD, and more. Bring your questions to ask our guest expert!
With two FDA-approved treatments now available for geographic atrophy, an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, we’ll explore how to navigate treatment options, engage in shared decision-making with your healthcare team, and maximize your eye health. February is Low Vision Awareness Month, so we’ll also discuss support options for those living with vision loss.
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the latest developments in wet age-related macular degeneration treatment. We’re partnering with the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) to bring you an overview of current treatment options, the impact of the Avastin shortage, and alternative treatments. We will also explore advocacy efforts by ASRS and the American Academy of Ophthalmology to address these issues.
This Macular Chat episode will cover practical tips for maintaining quality of life with low vision. From adaptive activities to resources like large print books, there are resources to help you live well.
Geographic atrophy is an advanced and severe form of dry age-related macular degeneration that, if left untreated, can lead to irreversible vision loss. Hear from guest expert Dr. Veeral Sheth about the latest treatments, research breakthroughs, and how to protect your vision.
Join us for an in-depth discussion on Stargardt disease, a rare inherited form of juvenile macular degeneration that affects about 1 in 10,000 children and young adults. Learn about the latest in diagnosis, genetic testing, and promising treatments, which researchers are also evaluating in geographic atrophy.
Macular Degeneration Research, a BrightFocus Foundation program, is supporting 49 active research grants around the world. Join us as our Scientific Affairs team highlights a few of these groundbreaking research projects working toward earlier detection and prevention, treatments, and a cure for macular degeneration.
What are the best foods to lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? If you already have AMD, can changing your diet slow the progression of the disease? This Macular Chat episode will explore how diet and nutrition influence the risk and progression of AMD and discuss the vital role that the gut microbiome plays in overall human health. Learn which foods to eat more of, which to avoid, and the latest research and clinical trials on AMD.
Geographic atrophy is an advanced and severe form of dry age-related macular degeneration that can lead to permanent vision loss. Guest expert Dr. Philip Niles shares what you need to know about identifying, preventing, and treating geographic atrophy and delving into the landscape of available treatments.
After a macular degeneration diagnosis, the best way to adapt to vision loss is to learn new ways of doing things. Ed Haines discusses the resources available from the organization Hadley, which provides practical, social, and emotional support to older adults adjusting to vision loss.
Does cataract surgery increase your risk of developing macular degeneration? Learn more during a conversation with guest expert Emily Y. Chew, MD, who will discuss this question and the relationship between cataracts and macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans aged 60 and older. Guest speaker Gayatri S. Reilly, MD answers questions and shares all the facts you need to know about wet and dry macular degeneration.
After a diagnosis of macular degeneration many individuals experience a range of emotions, including grief, anxiety, or depression. Our expert guest will define and discuss different emotions, as well as provide specialists and additional coping strategies and resources to consider.
Guest speaker Kapil Bharti, PhD discusses a new treatment for macular degeneration that is currently being studied using stem cell therapy to restore lost vision.
Guest speaker W. Lloyd Clark, MD, discusses a new anti-VEGF treatment option that is available for wet AMD. Dr. Clark specializes in the treatment of vitreous and retinal diseases. He is also dedicated to the advancement of new treatments for retinal diseases through his involvement with clinical trials for the newest therapies for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions.
Guest speaker Dr. Veeral Sheth, discusses geographic atrophy, an advanced and severe form of dry age-related macular degeneration, and the landscape of treatments that are currently available.
Katherine Freund, Founder and President of Independent Transportation Network of America, discusses how aging impacts our driving skills, explores alternatives to driving, as well as what you can do if there are no currently driving resources in your area.
The event featured guest speaker Preeti Subramanian, PhD, who oversees the Macular Degeneration Research and National Glaucoma Research programs at BrightFocus Foundation. Dr. Subramanian highlighted some of the exciting research currently funded by BrightFocus.
This event featured Rob Howden and Diane Marshall, both currently living with geographic atrophy, the advanced form of dry macular degeneration. They give a firsthand account of daily living with geographic atrophy and discuss the importance of diagnosis.
This event featured Dr. Surendra Sharma, Senior VP of Medical Affairs at Outlook Therapeutics. Dr. Sharma discussed the difference between Wet AMD and Dry AMD, who is at risk for Wet AMD, and what treatment options are available.
BrightFocus Foundation hosted this Access Live event to discuss macular degeneration. This event featured Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD, professor of ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dunaief spoke about symptoms and treatments for macular degeneration, including a new study of zebra fish to understand how they regenerate eye cells. Participants asked questions regarding eye injections, the risk factors of drusen turning into geographic atrophy and how important a healthy diet is to help prevent macular degeneration.
This event featured guest speakers Maureen Foley and Sheila Klein, who are both currently living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and gave firsthand accounts of daily living with low vision. They also discussed the biggest challenges and the resources they find most helpful while living with AMD.
This event featured Jerry Feliz, Access Technology Director at Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He discussed how to use a screen reader and apps the blind can use to help with daily activities. Jerry also spoke about his YouTube channel and he let participants know that he does private consultations for anyone that might need extra help increasing their independence with assistive technology.
BrightFocus Foundation hosted this monthly chat featuring Dr. Maria Richman, a Low Vision Rehabilitation Optometrist from Shore Family Eyecare in New Jersey. Dr. Richman discussed Advanced Macular Degeneration and provided an update on the investigational medical device called the SING Implantable Miniature Telescope. She discussed the improvements and benefits made to the new implantable telescope device as well as the criteria that is needed in order to join the clinical trial for the device.
This event featured Dr. Sally Temple and Dr. Jeffrey Stern who are both co-discoverers of stem cells in the human retinal pigment epithelium at the Neural Stem Cell Institute, who addressed the role of stem cells in central nervous system development, maintenance, and repair. There was also discussion about cell transplants to replace retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and clinical trials for stem cell therapy and AMD.
Understanding Dry AMD and Geographic Atrophy.” The event featured Dr. David S. Liao, a board-certified ophthalmologist at the Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group, who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the retina and vitreous. The hosts discussed a proposed and promising pharmaceutical under investigation for geographic atrophy (GA) using a targeted C3 therapy. There was also discussion about other possible treatment for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and GA, clinical research, how long eye disease may take to progress, and regular provider visits with optometrists and ophthalmologists.
Featuring Allysin Bridges-German, OTD, MA, OTR/L, who specializes in treating people living with low vision.
The Chat features Ranjoo Prasad, OD, Staff Optometrist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and Board Member of VisionLink Philadelphia. Learn how to improve your quality of life by using low vision devices, making adaptations to your hobbies and tasks, making the most of lighting, and finding services to assist in identifying the best strategies for you.
This chat features Dr. Rowan, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and a scientist on the Nutrition and Vision Research Team at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, located at Tufts.
BrightFocus Foundation held this Access Live Event to speak with participants about eye care. Our guest speaker was Alicia Menezes, M.D., a Medical Director in U.S. Medical Affairs, Ophthalmology at Genentech. Topics of discussion included comprehensive exams, treatments, and new advances in research.
BrightFocus Foundation held this Access Live Event to speak with participants about eye care. This event featured Dr. Gayatri Reilly, Retina Specialist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Retina Group of Washington, who spoke about macular degeneration and the effects that it has on your eyes. Dr. Reilly also spoke about both wet and dry macular degeneration and understanding both forms of the disease. She discussed preparation for doctor visits regarding macular degeneration or any other eye disease.
BrightFocus Foundation hosted this Access Live Event to speak with participants about living and coping with age related vision diseases. The event featured Dr. Deirdre Johnston, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who discussed the impact that age related vision diseases has on older adults and common challenges that older adults face living alone. Dr. Deirdre Johnston also addressed the depression and anger that people face when dealing with an age-related vision disease and steps to take when facing those emotions.
BrightFocus Foundation held this Access Live Event to speak with participants about living with age-related macular degeneration. The event featured Dr. Joshua Dunaief from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center to provide tips on how to keep eyes healthy in the new year. Specific topics of discussion included stem cell research, new treatments, and dietary/vitamins that may be helpful to aid in this disease.
This event featured Jill Adelman and Liz Tully, both of whom are living with AMD. The guests shared helpful tips regarding doctors and specialists that assist with vision loss and shared the physical and psychological challenges of living with AMD.
The event featured experts including Moshe Vardi, Vice President and Global Medicine Team Lead at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, and Aleksandar Skuban, MD, Executive Medical Director for Neurology and Ophthalmology Clinical Development and Translational Sciences at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Vardi explained the role of the immune system as it relates to GMD, or geographical atrophy. Dr. Skuban talked about studies being done to determine efficacy of new treatments, including Danicopan, for GMD.
The event featured Joshua Dunaief, M.D., Ph.D., who provided an overview of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) including prevention and treatment. There was specific discussion about overall vision health, new therapies, and which populations are more susceptible to AMD.
The event featured Arshad M. Khanani, MD, who provided an overview of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) including an explanation on how gene therapy is being utilized. There was specific discussion about overall vision health, new therapies, and which populations are most susceptible to AMD.
The event featured Arshad M. Khanani, MD, who provided an overview of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) including an explanation on how gene therapy is being utilized. There was specific discussion about overall vision health, new therapies, and which populations are most susceptible to AMD.
The event featured Joshua Dunaief, M.D., Ph.D., who provided an overview of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) including prevention and treatment. There was specific discussion about overall vision health, new therapies, and which populations are more susceptible to AMD.
The event featured Emily Chew, MD, Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications at the National Eye Institute. Dr. Chew shared the latest news on the role of nutritional supplements in age-related macular degeneration. Participants asked questions about how to know if they are purchasing the correct supplements and if AREDS2 can reverse vision damage.
Dr. Benjamin Kim is Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His areas of research expertise include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, geographic atrophy, choroidal neovascularization, retinal neovascularization, clinical trials, and retinal imaging.
Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D., a specialist in low vision rehabilitation at Penn Medicine, is the guest speaker.
The featured expert is Daniel Chao, MD, PhD, who is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Shiley Eye Institute. He is a retina surgeon, clinician-scientist, and entrepreneur. Dr. Chao’s clinical focus is in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal diseases with a special interest in macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and inherited retinal diseases.
Dr. David S. Liao is a board-certified ophthalmologist at the Retina-Vitreous Associates Medical Group in California. He specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the retina and vitreous. His main areas of interest include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, disorders of the vitreomacular interface, and retinal detachment repair.
The discussion features Sheldon Rowan, PhD of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University. Dr. Rowan’s research examines the impact of dietary carbohydrate quality on age-related macular degeneration.
The featured guest is Gayatri S. Reilly, MD, a retina specialist with The Retina Group of Washington. Dr. Reilly started her academic training by graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from New York University. She then received her medical degree from the Penn State College of Medicine and completed her Ophthalmology residency at the University of Maryland where she was honored by serving as the Chief Resident during her senior year. She completed her surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital-Washington Hospital Center-The Retina Group of Washington.
The guest is Deirdre Johnston, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., who is Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and Medical Director of the PATCH and MIND at Home community-based programs.
The telephone discussion features Dr. Joshua Dunaief, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, who specializes in the study of age-related macular degeneration.
This telephone discussion features Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist from UCLA who is devoted to research and clinical care of hereditary retinal disorders, especially age-related macular degeneration, retinal dystrophies and other medical retinal conditions.
The guest speaker is Joe Kardine, OTR/L, who is an occupational therapist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Mr. Kardine specializes in treating those with vision and cognitive deficits as well as neurologic rehabilitation.
The guest speaker is Avnish A. Deobhakta, MD, who is an ophthalmologist and Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York NY.
Yasha Modi, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health and is a vitreoretinal surgeon at Tisch Hospital and the Ambulatory Care Center. He treats people who have diseases that affect the vitreous—a clear substance in the eye—the retina, and the choroid—the layer of the eye containing blood vessels and connective tissue. In addition to caring for patients, he also performs research to understand retinal vascular diseases, including diabetes and vein occlusion, retinal drug toxicity, age-related macular degeneration, and the outcomes of retinal detachment surgery.
Yasha Modi, MD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health and is a vitreoretinal surgeon at Tisch Hospital and the Ambulatory Care Center. He treats people who have diseases that affect the vitreous—a clear substance in the eye—the retina, and the choroid—the layer of the eye containing blood vessels and connective tissue. In addition to caring for patients, he also performs research to understand retinal vascular diseases, including diabetes and vein occlusion, retinal drug toxicity, age-related macular degeneration, and the outcomes of retinal detachment surgery.
The telephone discussion features Emily Y. Chew, MD, who is a retina specialist and is the deputy director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, and the deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Chew has extensive experience in age-related eye diseases, and designing and implementing clinical trials, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2).
[[{"fid":"3915","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD","title":"Joshua Dunaief, MD, PhD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The telephone discussion features Dr. Joshua Dunaief, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, who specializes in the study of age-related macular degeneration.View the transcriptPrint the transcriptListen to the discussion:
The guest speakers are Joanne Dillon, a caregiver, and C. Grace Whiting, the President & CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving.View the transcriptPrint the transcriptListen to the discussion:
[[{"fid":"5208","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Christopher Brittain, MB, BS, BSc (Hons), MBA, DIC, MRCOphth","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Christopher Brittain, MB, BS, BSc (Hons), MBA, DIC, MRCOphth","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The telephone discussion features Christopher Brittain, MB, BS, BSc (Hons), MBA, DIC, MRCOphth, who is Interim Global Head of Ophthalmology Clinical Development at Genentech.
[[{"fid":"4824","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","title":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]Priyatham S. Mettu, MD, is a Duke University retina specialist who is testing new treatments and new imaging technologies for age-related macular degeneration.
[[{"fid":"4946","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Sheldon Rowan, PhD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Sheldon Rowan, PhD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Sheldon Rowan, PhD","title":"Sheldon Rowan, PhD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The telephone discussion features Sheldon Rowan, PhD of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University. Dr. Rowan’s research examines the impact of dietary carbohydrate quality on age-related macular degeneration.
[[{"fid":"3840","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D","title":"Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]Ranjoo K. Prasad, O.D., a specialist in low vision rehabilitation at Penn Medicine, is the guest speaker.
[[{"fid":"3915","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Joshua Dunaief, MD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Joshua Dunaief, MD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Joshua Dunaief, MD","title":"Joshua Dunaief, MD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The telephone discussion features Dr. Joshua Dunaief, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School Medicine, who specializes in the study of age-related macular degeneration.
[[{"fid":"4893","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Prevent Blindness","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Prevent Blindness","style":"float: right; margin-top: -13px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The guest speakers are Sara Brown and Dan Roberts from Prevent Blindness who discuss eye health advocacy.
[[{"fid":"4824","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","title":"Priyatham S Mettu, MD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The guest speaker is Priyatham S. Mettu, MD, a Duke University retina specialist who is testing new treatments and new imaging technologies for age-related macular degeneration.
[[{"fid":"4795","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"William W. Li, M.D. Chief Executive Officer, President, Medical Director, and Co-founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"William W. Li, M.D."},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"William W. Li, M.D. Chief Executive Officer, President, Medical Director, and Co-founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation.","title":"William W. Li, M.D.","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The speaker was Dr. William Li, President of The Angiogenesis Foundation, and his guests: Leona, a person living with macular degeneration, and her daughter, Sharon, who provided their perspectives on managing this eye disease.
[[{"fid":"2833","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Gayatri S. Reilly, MD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Gayatri S. Reilly, MD"},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Gayatri S. Reilly, MD","title":"Gayatri S. Reilly, MD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The telephone discussion features Dr. Gayatri S. Reilly of The Retina Group of Washington, who has excelled in research, patient care, and educating other eye care professionals about treating diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
[[{"fid":"4518","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Allen Taylor, PhD","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Allen Taylor, PhD","title":"Allen Taylor, PhD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]Allen Taylor, PhD directs the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research at Tufts (a part of the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging), and also holds faculty positions in nutrition, ophthalmology, molecular & chemical biology, and development at the Tufts University School of Medicine. He talks about how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops, the nutritional component, and what new research shows about ways to delay onset or progress.
[[{"fid":"4489","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Orli Weisser-Pike, OTR/L, CLVT, SCLV","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Orli Weisser-Pike, OTR/L, CLVT, SCLV","title":"Orli Weisser-Pike, OTR/L, CLVT, SCLV","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]This telephone discussion features Orli Weisser-Pike, a doctor of occupational therapy and a certified low vision therapist. She has over eighteen years of clinical experience in a wide variety of settings and has for the past decade specialized in treating people disabled by vision loss.
[[{"fid":"4480","view_mode":"wysiwyg","fields":{"format":"wysiwyg","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Drs. Lewin and Biswal","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Drs. Lewin and Biswal","title":"Manas Biswal, PhD, and Alfred S. Lewin, PhD","style":"float: right; margin-top: 8px;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"}}]]The guest speakers are Alfred S. Lewin, PhD, from the University of Florida Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, who focuses on developing therapies for inherited and age-related diseases of the retina; and Manas Biswal, PhD, a Postdoctoral Associate, also from the University of Florida.
The phone conference features Brian S. McKay, PhD, who conducts basic research towards developing new cell-based therapies for macular degeneration. He discusses a major new breakthrough showing that L-DOPA, a drug widely used to treat Parkinson’s disease, may help protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD); Maria B. Grant, MD, who conducts research using adult stem cells to repair damaged blood vessel networks within the retina that are associated with macular degeneration; and David Pepperberg, PhD, who researches methods to restore vision lost in diseases such as age-related macular degeneration;
The featured speakers for this telephone discussion are Katherine Freund, the President and Founder of the Independent Transportation Network (ITN America), a national nonprofit providing transportation to seniors and to adults with visual impairments, and Karen A. Keninger, director of the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, where her top initiatives are to increase braille literacy and leveraging technology to improve service to NLS’s 500,000-plus patrons.
This telephone discussion features Christopher Brady, MD, an ophthalmologist from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who specializes in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases, including macular degeneration. His research focuses on the benefits of telemedicine for underserved populations and how new technologies can improve patient care.
This telephone discussion features Neal Adams, MD, who is in private practice at DC Retina and is a nationally-recognized leader in the field of retina disorders. He is author of the book, "Nutrition for the Eye," and will provide healthy tips for those living with low vision.
This telephone discussion features Priyatham (Prithu) S. Mettu, M.D., from the Duke Center for Macular Diseases, who provides helpful information for those recently diagnosed with macular degeneration.
This telephone discussion features Mary Jo McGuire, an occupational therapist in private practice from Akron, Ohio, who serves clients in the home and community addressing the real-life problems caused by aging, disease, or trauma, including the challenges related to low vision.
This telephone discussion features Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist from UCLA who is devoted to research and clinical care of hereditary retinal disorders, especially age-related macular degeneration, retinal dystrophies and other medical retinal conditions.
The telephone discussion features Emily Y. Chew, MD, who is a retina specialist and is the deputy director of the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, and the deputy clinical director at the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Chew has extensive experience in age-related eye diseases, and designing and implementing clinical trials, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2).
The telephone discussion features Robert W. Massof, PhD, who is Professor of Ophthalmology and Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Director of the Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center and the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, and Jim Deremeik, RT, CLVT, who is the LOVRNET Project Manager and the Education/Rehabilitation Program Manager for the Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.
The telephone discussion features Dr. Gayatri S. Reilly of The Retina Group of Washington, who has excelled in research, patient care, and educating other eye care professionals about treating diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The telephone discussion features Dr. Joshua Dunaeif, of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School Medicine, who specializes in the study of age-related macular degeneration.
This telephone discussion feature Katherine Freund, the President and Founder of the Independent Transportation Network (ITN America), a national nonprofit providing dignified transportation to seniors and to adults with visual impairments, and Meredith Lyons, an occupational therapist and driving rehabilitation specialist who works primarily in treating patients with neurological disorders and visual impairments.
This telephone discussion features Milam A. Brantley, Jr., MD, PhD, of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute. He discusses the basics of macular degeneration, including the forms of the disease, risk factors, and available treatments.
The telephone discussion features Jim Hindman, founder of Jiffy Lube International, who was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration at age 57 and years later declared legally blind. He refused to give up hope, eventually finding his way out of the darkness with the IMT (implantable miniature telescope).
This telephone discussion features Marti Bailey, the Director of the Sibley Senior Association and Community Health, who has helpful tips on how to get the most out of your doctor’s appointment
This telephone discussion features Ike Presley of the American Foundation of the Blind’s National Literacy Center, who has expertise in blindness and literacy, special education, assistive technology, and low vision.
This telephone discussion features Jennifer Kaldenberg, an occupational therapist who has expertise in working with older adults who are living with visual impairment.
A telephone discussion featuring Jarrod Davies, OD, FCOVD, a developmental optometrist specializing in vision therapy and neurovisual rehabilitation, and Madeline, a person living with low vision.
This telephone discussion features Dr. Jacque Duncan, an ophthalmologist at UCSF Medical Center, who specializes in treating retina degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
This telephone discussion features Orli Weisser-Pike, a doctor of occupational therapy and a certified low vision therapist. She has over eighteen years of clinical experience in a wide variety of settings and has for the past decade specialized in treating people disabled by vision loss.
This telephone discussion features Albert O. Edwards, MD, PhD, a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in diseases and surgery of the retina.
The Talking Information Center interviews Dr. Guy Eakin, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at BrightFocus Foundation, about the mission of the organization and the new BrightFocus Chats telephone discussions on macular degeneration.
This telephone discussion features Milam A. Brantley, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, on the latest research findings and their implications for treatment; and a patient advocate, on living with macular degeneration.
In this audio presentation, Dr. Guy Eakin, Vice President of Scientific Affairs for BrightFocus Foundation, discusses the top five questions you should ask your doctor regarding your macular degeneration diagnosis
A telephone discussion on low vision diseases that features Michael B. Gorin, MD, PhD, an ophthalmologist from UCLA, and a patient advocate who offers firsthand tips and strategies for living with the disease.
In this audio presentation, Dr. Guy Eakin, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at the BrightFocus Foundation, discusses recent research progress for the treatment of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
In this audio presentation, Donna Gallagher shares a few adjustments that made around her home that make life easier for her mother, who has lived with low vision for many years.