NAEVR/AEVR Events

• Advances in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Diseases

Sept. 21 – In recognition of Healthy Aging Month and International Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Week 2022, AEVR and the American Macular Degeneration Foundation (AMDF) hosted its fourth Research Saving Sight, Restoring Vision Congressional Briefing. 

• Researching the Impact of Lifestyle on Ocular Surface Disease

July 13 – In recognition of Dry Eye Awareness Month, AEVR and the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) hosted their seventh annual Dry Eye Awareness Month Congressional Briefing. This disease continues to be a global epidemic affecting more than 30 million people in the United States alone. It happens when the eye does not produce tears correctly or when the tears are not of the correct consistency and evaporate too rapidly. Dry Eye Disease remains one of the most frequent cases of patient visits to eye care providers, and with the many risk factors such as age, medication side effects, staring at screens for too long, along with it not having a cure, it needs to stay a priority. 

The Briefing features a panel of experts who speak to the lifestyle challenges of Dry Eye Disease, the research that impacts patients, and how research continues to be vital to further the understanding of the causes and continues to improve outcomes. Watch here

Speakers

Maria Markoulli, PhD, MOptom, GradCertOcTher, FBCLA, FAAO Associate Professor University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia	Anat Galor, MD, MSPH Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Fla.	Tannin Schmidt, PhD   Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering UConn School of Dental Medicine, Farmington, Conn.

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • Alcon
  • Allergan
  • Genentech
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Johnson and Johnson Vision
  • Novartis
  • Research to Prevent Blindness

• NEI's Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research (DRCR) Network: Optimizing Treatment for Diabetic Eye Disease Patients

May 25 – In recognition of May as Healthy Vision Month, the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) continued its Research Saving Sight, Restoring Vision Initiative with this important virtual Congressional Briefing. The chairs of the DRCR Network, Jennifer Sun, MD, MPH, and Daniel Martin, MD, talked about advancements in research and its impact on the treatment of diabetic eye disease. Brian Sheehan, vice president of Lions Clubs International, also shared his perspective on diabetic retinopathy and the importance of supporting eye and vision research to further improve patient outcomes. Watch here

Speakers

Daniel Martin, MD Chair NEI's DRCR Network	Jennifer K. Sun, MD, MPH Chair NEI's DRCR Network	Brian Sheehan   Vice President Lions Clubs International

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • DRCR Network
  • Lions Clubs International
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

• Understanding glaucoma patients: Health disparities and unmet need

March 8 – AEVR hosted a virtual Congressional Briefing recognizing World Glaucoma Week (March 6 - 12). The second leading cause of preventable vision loss in the United States, glaucoma affects more than 2.7 million Americans over age 40, with that number estimated to more than double by year 2050. Glaucoma is also a driving factor in the annual cost of vision impairment projected to reach $717 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars by year 2050.

Groups at highest risk of developing glaucoma include African Americans over age 40, individuals over age 60, and those with a family history of the disease. Progression can vary based on factors ranging from gender to ethnic and racial differences, and can be genetic or based on lifestyle choices (e.g., smoking). The Briefing talked about glaucoma and examined these differences, while identifying unmet needs as researchers and clinicians seek to optimize patient care. Watch here.

Speakers

Leon W. Herndon, Jr., MD Professor of ophthalmology Duke University Medical Center	Thomas Brunner President & CEO Glaucoma Research Foundation	Trinh Green, MD     Patient Representative Glaucoma Research Foundation

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • American Glaucoma Society
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Glaucoma Research Foundation
  • Glaukos
  • Optometric Glaucoma Society

• Better understanding Thyroid Eye Disease: Physician, patient and caregiver perspectives/Discussion on women's vision health

Nov. 17, 2021 – AEVR continued its series of educational briefings on exciting new developments in eye and vision research during the second annual Thyroid Eye Disease Awareness Week (Nov. 14-20). Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a serious, debilitating, and vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks muscles and other tissue behind and around the eyes. Because TED is progressive, early management and treatment is critical. People living with TED frequently experience long-term functional, psychosocial, and economic burdens, including inability to work and perform activities of daily living that can result in depression and accelerated mortality. This Briefing features physician and patient/caregiver perspectives on living with TED, as well as a dynamic discussion about the Society for Women’s Health Research’s initiatives on women’s eye health. Watch here.

Speakers

Kimberly Cockerham, MD, FACS Private practice Stockton, Calif.	Ron Barela & Vickie Barela       Patient advocate/ caregiver	Kathryn Godburn Schubert, MPP, CAE       Society for Women's Health Research Washington, DC	Kira Baldonado, MPH Prevent Blindness Chicago, Ill.

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • Prevent Blindness
  • Society for Women's Health Research
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

• Speaking with keratoconus patients about research and treatments

Nov. 10, 2021 – AEVR joined with the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) to recognize World Keratoconus Day 2021. Keratoconus (KC) is an eye condition in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea — the transparent front of the eye — becomes weak and irregular, resulting in vision distortion, double or blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Researchers believe that certain individuals have a genetic predisposition to develop it and a 2021 study from Australia suggests prevalence of 1.2 percent of the population, meaning it affects the lives of more than 3 million Americans. Featured speakers Christopher Rapuano, MD (Wills Eye Hospital) and Christine Sindt, OD, FAAO (University of Iowa) addressed how they speak with newly diagnosed KC patients about research and treatment options. Watch here.

Speakers

Christopher Rapuano, MD Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Penn.		Christine Sindt, OD, FAAO       University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • National Keratoconus Foundation
  • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • Eye Bank Association of America
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

• Myopia: A Public Health Crisis

Oct. 20, 2021 – Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of several refractive errors that occur when the eye cannot clearly focus images from the outside world. Myopia affects 30 percent of the United States population and 28 percent of the world’s population and is expected to reach 50 percent by the year 2050. Studies estimate that the global impact of uncorrected myopia results in a $244 billion annual loss of productivity. Speakers Jason Compton, OD (Compton Eye Associates, New York) and Katherine Lee, MD, PhD (St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital) addressed myopia clinical care and research. Watch here.

Speakers

Jason Compton, OD Compton Eye Associates, New York, N.Y.		Katherine Lee, MD, PhD       St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital Boise, Idaho

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Optometric Association
  • American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Novartis

• Congressional Briefing: Latest on clinical practice and research for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) patients

Sept. 21, 2021 – As part of its Seventh Annual Emerging Vision Scientists Day on Capitol Hill recognizing International AMD Awareness Week 2021 and Health Aging Month, AEVR hosted a Congressional Briefing featuring clinician-scientist Amir H. Kashani, MD, PhD, Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins University and National Eye Institute (NEI) researcher Kapil Bharti, PhD. They addressed all aspects of AMD clinical practice and research. Matt Levine from the American Macular Degeneration Foundation and AEVR Executive Director James Jorkasky moderated a post-presentation discussion with the speakers. Watch here.

Speakers

Amir H. Kashani, MD, PhD Johns Hopkins Medicine, Wilmer Eye Institute		Kapil Bharti, PhD       National Eye Institute (NEI)		Matt Levine American Macular Degeneration Foundation

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • American Macular Degeneration Foundation
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Novartis

• A Conversation: Moving beyond COVID-19 in my career pathway

Sept. 21, 2021 – View AEVR's conversation with 28 early-stage vision scientists on how they have applied lessons learned from COVID-19 laboratory closures to their future research and career pathway. In addition, hear from each of the Emerging Vision Scientists (EVS) in personal videos about their breakthrough eye and vision research that addresses the question, “How will this research delay, reduce, and prevent the $717 billion annual cost of eye disease and vision impairment projected by year 2050?” Watch here.

Access this dossier book for detailed info. about each researcher (searchable by state)

 Speakers

(please click on each researcher's name/photo below to view their video)

Ji Won Bang, PhD NYU Grossman School of Medicine New Jersey		Lea Bennett, PhD The University of Oklahoma Oklahoma		Roomasa Channa, MD University of Wisconsin Wisconsin
Xi Chen, MD, PhD Duke University North Carolina		Lindsey De Lott, MD University of Michigan Michigan		Kimberly Gokoffski, MD, PhD University of Southern California California
Sylvia Groth, MD Vanderbilt University Tennessee		Jarrod Harman, PhD LSU Health Science Center Louisiana		Patrice Marie Hicks, PhD University of Michigan Michigan
Rachel Huckfeldt, MD, PhD Massachussets Eye and Ear Massachussets		Archana Jalligampala, PhD University of Louisville Kentucky		Stefan Kurtenbach, PhD Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Florida
Milica Margeta, MD, PhD Massachussets Eye and Ear Massachussets		J. Patrick Mayo, PhD University of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania		Mallory McLaughlin, OD Illinois College of Optometry Illinois
Joseph Mertz, PhD Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Maryland		Ann Morrison, OD, PhD The Ohio State University College of Optometry Ohio		Alex Muntz, PhD, MScOptom University of Auckland New Zealand
Leah Owen, MD, PhD University of Utah Utah		Jennifer Patnaik, PhD University of Colorado Colorado		Margaret Reynolds, MD Washington University Missouri
Roksana Sadeghi, PhD Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Maryland		Daisy Shu, BOptom, BSc, PhD Massachussets Eye and Ear Massachussets		Katelyn Swindle-Reilly, PhD The Ohio State University Ohio
Brian Thompson, PhD Yale University Connecticut		Edmund Tsui, MD UCLA Stein Eye Institute California		Kevin Willeford, OD, PhD NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry Florida
Thomas Wubben, MD, PhD University of Michigan Michigan

Hosted in conjunction with:

• • Research to Prevent Blindness
  • Novartis
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

• A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease

July 13, 2021 – In recognition of Dry Eye Awareness Month 2021, the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), joined by the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), hosted their sixth annual Dry Eye Congressional Briefing. The briefing consisted of an interview-style discussion led by AEVR Executive Director James Jorkasky, who is a Dry Eye Disease (DED) patient. Key leaders from TFOS’ next Global Workshop entitled “A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease,” also addressed the latest in lifestyle and environmental factors that result in Dry Eye.

This latest initiative follows TFOS’ Dry Eye Workshop II (TFOS DEWS II™) Report, released in July 2017 and published in The Ocular Surface journal. That re-examination of TFOS’ initial 2007 Report updated the definition, classification, and diagnosis of DED; critically evaluated the epidemiology, pathophysiology, mechanism and impact of the disease; addressed its management and therapy, and developed recommendations for design of clinical trials to assess therapies. Watch here.

Speakers

Jennifer P. Craig, PhD, FCOptom University of Auckland New Zealand		David A. Sullivan, MS, PhD TFOS Founder and TFOS Chair, Board of Directors		Christopher E. Starr Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital

•  Glaucoma: Clinical Practice and Research to Optimize Patient Outcomes

March 11, 2021 –  As part of its new Research Saving Sight, Restoring Vision Initiative, the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) held its World Glaucoma Week 2021 Congressional Briefing entitled Glaucoma: Clinical Practice and Research to Optimize Patient Outcomes on March 11. Featured speakers included clinician scientist-educators Mona Kaleem, MD and Elyse Joelle McGlumphy, MD—both from the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine—who spoke about glaucoma and their respective clinical experiences in treating patients, as well as their research efforts to better understand and optimize the patient experience. Glaucoma Research Foundation’s patient representative Amanda Eddy, who was born with glaucoma, spoke about quality-of-life challenges presented by the disease. Watch here.

NAEVR/AEVR events archive

• 2020