At the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we are always looking forward. Our scientists are continually focused on achieving the next sight-saving breakthrough, and our donors and volunteers are always looking for new opportunities to raise more money to drive the research.
But for a moment, as we put the wraps on 2012, it is very inspiring to look back on the past year and reflect on the many exciting advancements that have been made in our quest for treatments and cures.
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This week, the Foundation Fighting Blindness has much to be thankful for – its members, the tireless efforts of researchers and, of course, the readers of this blog, many of whom share their interest in our work via social media. But our biggest “thank you” goes to those who are directly affected by retinal diseases and do all they can to help FFB raise funds for research.
With the elections now behind us, the U.S. Congress needs to address an issue that could delay by years, perhaps even decades, the ability of those with serious diseases to access treatments that will at the very least change their lives for the better, if not save them. The looming “fiscal cliff” – Congress’ current means of tackling a substantial budget deficit – is a combination of tax increases and spending cuts that will kick in January 1, 2013, if no further legislative action is taken. And it’s a huge mistake.
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Rachel Weeks, who has Usher syndrome – a disease affecting both vision and hearing – is a dedicated triathlete. With guidance from her sister, Rebecca, she runs, swims and bikes her way through triathlons with only a 10-degree field of vision and 30 percent of her hearing. But once, as she prepared to plunge into the water with hundreds of competitors, a woman insisted on congratulating her for her efforts. At that particular moment, it served as a disorienting reminder of the challenges she faces.
Three weeks ago, in recounting my participation in Charity Day at Cantor Fitzgerald, I mentioned that FFB had established October as Save Your Vision Month (SYVM). Well, now it’s here, so I wanted to reiterate what SYVM is all about and how the Foundation has been preparing for it the past couple of weeks.
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Without a doubt, as chief research officer at FFB, I get more questions about clinical trials – also known as human studies – than any other topic. So, I thought it would be useful to provide a list of the major clinical trials underway right now for retinal disease treatments. Continue Reading…
Ryan Lochte, I didn’t get a chance to meet. I did, however, get a picture taken with Michael J. Fox, who was very cordial but focused most of his attention—and rightly so—on a little girl with muscular dystrophy. Now, actor Steve Buscemi is a character and a half. I was there with Leah Bartos, who’s Mrs. New York, and because I’m Mrs. World, and the two of us were wearing crowns and sashes, he took a look at us and, before a photo was snapped, said, “Wow, let me get in between these two ladies.”
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A couple weeks ago, I was in China, to visit with Dr. Ruifang Sui, a Foundation-funded clinician-researcher at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing. During my time there, I felt like I had never left the United States. Don’t get me wrong — there’s no mistaking Beijing for Baltimore (the location of our national office) or Mandarin for English. But when it comes to retinal degenerations, we and the Chinese have a lot in common.
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Could the complex function of rods and cones — converting light into signals that the brain can interpret as vision — be replicated in a pair of high-tech glasses? Based on the recent research advances made by Dr. Sheila Nirenberg at Weill Cornell Medical College, it looks like a possibility.
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Steve is highly respected for his expertise and tireless commitment to finding treatments and cures for vision-robbing retinal diseases. Read More...
As the Foundation's senior science writer, Ben writes science and research articles for the Foundation’s website, newsletters and Eye on the Cure blog. Read More...
As the Foundation's senior writer, Rich writes and edits content for all of the Foundation’s print and online publications, including its blog, Eye on the Cure. Read More...
Nobel Prize Winners Have Big Impact on Emerging Retinal Treatments
By Dr. Steve Rose on October 15, 2012 | 0 Comments
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For science geeks like me, the announcement of Nobel Prize for Medicine winners is always exciting news. But this year’s two recipients are especially near and dear to my heart, because their groundbreaking work is having an enormous impact on sight-saving retinal research.
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