Video Included:
This blog has been a great new way for the Foundation to report on timely and unique topics related to retinal research. Just as important, is that it provides you, our
readers, the opportunity to offer your valuable feedback — questions, comments and suggestions — to these important topics.
A lot of the questions posted on the blog are repeated, and, in fact, similar questions are often posed on the Foundation’s Facebook page and through emails and phone calls to our Information and Referral Department.  To ensure that everyone benefits from the responses, I’ll be answering some of these questions via video Q&A blog posts, like this one.
Q: My 7-year-old grandson has cone-rod dystrophy, and it’s difficult to find much information on research about it. Will the research for RP, Usher syndrome and other diseases also benefit him?
Q: I am so excited to hear about all of the discoveries with stem cell research. My son, who is 32 years old, has RP. I am greatly encouraged by this news. How soon will there be clinical trials? Will there be some trials, in close proximity to Tulsa, OK?
Q: My husband has Stargardt disease. We have two small children. What kind of tests do they perform on the children of a blind parent? How much do they cost, and are they covered under health-care plans?
Q: I’m wondering if anyone with RP has had cataract surgery, and how it turned out. I’m scared to do it, but was told it is something I really need to do.
Check out this video for my answers to these four questions, and be sure to check back periodically for similar Q&A posts. And, by all means, if you have a question that relates to one of my posts or my answers in this video post, feel free to post it as a comment and we’ll get you the most informed answer we can.
Steve is highly respected for his expertise and tireless commitment to finding treatments and cures for vision-robbing retinal diseases. 
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. 
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. 
My son was diagnosed with classic RP when he was 19 (almost two years ago). To the best of our knowledge, no one in our family has this disease (although I suspect his paternal grandfather may have had it but was never diagnosed). I would appreciate any information on genetic testing and what is involved in getting this done.
oops – paternal great-grandfather.
Hi Tammy, thanks for your comment. I would like to direct you to our main website at http://www.FightBlindness.org. We have a special page dedicated to genetic testing and all that you need to know if you are considering it. Please visit the page here: http://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=105&Itemid=132.
If you have any specific questions, please email us at info@fightblindness.org
My daughter is 7 and has rop. I was wondering if the retina surgery would do any good for her.
Jessica, Sorry, we do not fund research for retinopathy of prematurity, so I am not familiar with the condition. Check with your retinal specialist to see if surgery is warranted.