I invite you to join me, this coming week, in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida – not for spring break, but for something even better. As is always the case this time of year, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) will host its international conference, providing thousands of eye professionals with the latest information on retinal research and technologies.

This year’s theme is “Translational Research: Seeing the Possibilities,” which is fitting, seeing as the Foundation has its hand in several clinical, or human, trials aimed at eradicating blindness. In fact, FFB’s partnership stamp will be on roughly 140 abstracts and posters being presented at ARVO.

But I won’t only be there as a representative of the Foundation; I’ll be something of a student as I attend symposia, workshops and lectures and wend my way across the convention floor, taking note of the research posters and exhibitors. I also won’t be alone. Half a dozen members of FFB’s science team will be with me, covering every possible angle, including meetings with the Foundation’s research and corporate partners. So prepare yourself for a series of informative, behind-the-scenes posts next week, photos included. Just don’t expect me to come back with a tan.