SupportSight Washington, D.C.

Retinal Consultants, P.C.

Next Seminar: March 21, 2009

Next Meeting: To be determined

Previous Seminars:

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Meeting Schedule

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Previous Seminars:

March 8, 2008
On March 8, the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) and Retina Consultants, P.C. teamed up to give a seminar on macular degeneration, designed to bring the latest information about the disease to those who live with it, as well as their friends and families. The seminar, which was both free and open to the public, was held at the AMC Mazza Gallerie 7 Theater.

The seminar opened with a presentation from MVRF Executive Director Lea Bramnick, who was on hand to talk about the history and mission of the organization. Bramnick emphasized the importance of organizations such as the MVRF in disseminating the latest information, helping those affected by the disease lead their fullest possible lives and in raising funds to find a cure.

That session was followed by a presentation from David L. Parver, M.D. during which he discussed all the latest information about macular degeneration. Dr. Parver covered some of the newest information coming out of research studies and also reviewed the treatment options presently available. He closed his presentation by fielding audience questions, which was clearly appreciated.

Fadi Nasrallah, M.D. was on hand to talk about the depression that can frequently accompany a macular degeneration diagnosis. Dr. Nasrallah spoke about how to cope with the depressed feelings and outlined several strategies that patients can employ to overcome them.

The seminar closed out with a fantastic presentation from Mary Betty Roeder, who was present to give her first-hand account of living with macular degeneration and how to not only live, but live well with the disease. Equal parts information and inspiration, Mary's talk was well received by the eager and appreciative audience.

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March 3, 2007
Patients with macular degeneration in the Washington, D.C., area were invited to attend a free seminar on their condition on March 3, 2007. Sponsored by Retina Consultants, P.C., in partnership with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF), the well-attended seminar was held at Mazza Gallerie Theater.

The group was welcomed by Lea S. Bramnick, who introduced the speakers and talked about the mission of MVRF, an organization headquartered near Philadelphia, whose singular mission is to raise money for research towards finding the cure, prevention, treatment and a cure for macular degeneration. MVRF is unique in that all of the money raised goes directly towards research projects, as all of the administrative costs are underwritten separately.

Dr. David L. Parver gave an interesting talk about the newest research and treatments for macular degeneration, and he also discussed the potential new information to be learned from AREDS2 (the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2), a study that began in the Spring of 2007. This study will look at the addition of lutein and other potentially helpful ingredients into the AREDS formula.

Suleiman S. Alibhai talked about low vision services and adaptive aids that were available to the community, pointing out how many different things can make coping with macular degeneration much more manageable.

Proving this point, Mary Betty Roeder then talked to the group about her own experiences living with the condition. Ms. Roeder, a spokesperson for MVRF, travels the country giving inspirational speeches and the tone and tenor of her uplifting talk left people amazed.

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Macular Degeneration Seminar Shines Light on Disease of Darkness

November 17, 2006
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of visual impairment in Americans over the age of 50, and is a devastating diagnosis that people everywhere receive every day. Now, people in the Washington, D.C., area with the disease can attend free educational seminars to help them learn to cope with their situation.

The seminars were sponsored by the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) in partnership with Retina Consultants, PC, as part of a nation-wide grassroots program called SupportSight, that holds similar seminars in 23 cities. Held on Thursday, November 17, the seminars were conducted at two separate times and locations in order to make it most convenient for people and maximize attendance. The morning session took place at the Rockville Senior Center, and the evening session at Ring House in Rockville.

The lively program was kicked off by Dr. David Parver, who gave the audience an overview of macular degeneration. Dr. Parver then talked about the latest treatment options available. He was followed by his colleague Dr. Fadi Nasrallah, who discussed the use of vitamin therapy for the treatment of macular degeneration.

Mary Betty Roeder, a motivational speaker who is a national spokesperson for MVRF delighted and stunned the audience with her humorous, honest and inspirational discussion of her own life experiences with macular degeneration. Finally, Lea Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, gave the audience a glimpse into the organization behind the program, and discussed their unique mission to support and educate people with the disease.

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Chevy Chase


April 16, 2005
Retina Consultants, P.C., partnered with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to present a seminar on services for visually impaired people on Saturday, April 16, in Chevy Chase.

The crowd gathered to hear the impressive and informative speakers. The first was Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of MVRF, based outside of Philadelphia. Ms. Bramnick discussed the mission of MVRF and the fundraising goals for supporting research. The organization is unique because one hundred percent of all donations go towards research, as all administrative costs are underwritten. After Ms. Bramnick, David L. Parver, M.D., of Retina Consultants, talked about the newest research and clinical trials for macular degeneration. This disease currently has no known cure, so research is of vital importance.

Suleiman S. Alibhai, O.D., of NOVA Hazel E.R. Widner Low Vision Center discussed low vision services available to the community. Many of these are free of charge and all were of great interest to the audience. Dr. Alibhai also addressed the availability of many adaptive aides for low vision patients.

The morning closed with a motivational speech from Mary Betty Roeder, a patient who lives with macular degeneration. Ms. Roeder spoke of her personal experiences, and her discussion provided a valuable and intimate ending for an informative morning.

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Nearly One Hundred Area Seniors Attend Free Presentation on Macular Degeneration


February 21, 2004
Retina Consultants, P.C. presented a free seminar for seniors in the Washington, D.C. area suffering with macular degeneration. The private practice partnered with The Macula Vision Research Foundation to put on the meeting, which was attended by nearly 100 people.

The purpose of the forum was to provide an overview of the disease for people who have it, and to provide background and helpful information for friends and family members of patients regarding treatments available. An explanation of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) concerning vitamin therapy was particularly helpful. Speakers at the meeting included Leonard Parver, M.D., Robert F. Stephens, M.D., and Fadi Nasrallah, M.D., all physicians in private practice with Retina Consultants, P.C.

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration causes deterioration of the macula, resulting in the 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. Currently, there is no cure, but there are treatments available and more in development that work to halt the progression of the disease.

Speakers at the Meeting
Dr. Parver provided the audience with an overview on the disease, and Dr. Stephens addressed treatment options for macular degeneration. Dr. Nasrallah discussed the progress of research using vitamin therapy to treat the condition. Additionally, Lea S. Bramnick, Executive Director of the Macula Vision Research Foundation, based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, also addressed the group. She spoke of the Foundation's mission to find the cause, prevention, treatment and cure for macula vision diseases with the goal of saving sight and to provide support and public education about the disease and support to those suffering from macular degeneration. The other speaker, patient Mary Betty Roeder, talked about her personal experiences dealing with the disease. Her inspiring discussion drove home her point that full and meaningful lives can be led by people who suffer from macular degeneration.

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

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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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