Foundation Fighting Blindness: VISIONS 2008

This year we will have our expert researchers and clinicians speaking on a variety topics such as; gene therapy, stem cells, nutrition, neuroprotection, genetic testing, and disease-specific general overviews. Check back regularly for schedule and speaker updates.

Friday, August 8, 2008
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM	Information & Registration Desk Open
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Exhibit Area Open and Hotel Tours
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM	Opening Luncheon with Speakers
2:00 PM - 7:30 PM	Exhibit Hall Open
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM	Retinal Degenerative Disease Overview and Q&A Sessions Latest News on the Rarer Diseases including: Choroideremia, Retinoschisis, and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Jacque Duncan, M.D., University of California, San Francisco Hope on the Horizon for Usher Syndrome William Kimberling, Ph.D., National Usher Syndrome Center J. Jill Hopkins, M.D., Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group AMD: Better Treatments on the Way Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, M.D., University of North Carolina Emily Chew, M.D., National Eye Institute Research and Treatment Breakthroughs for Retinitis Pigmentosa and LCA Stephen Daiger, Ph.D., University of Texas Byron Lam, M.D., Bascom Palmer Institute Gerald Fishman, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago Progress in Overcoming Stargardt Disease, Cone-Rod Dystrophy, and Best Disease Janet Sunness, M.D., Greater Baltimore Medical Center Shalesh Kaushal, M.D., Ph.D., University of Florida Tim Schoen, Ph.D., Foundation Fighting Blindness
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM	Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM	Concurrent Science and Information Sessions All About Genetics and Genetic Testing: Should You be Tested? Meira Meltzer, M.A., M.S., National Eye Institute Rafael Caruso, M.D., National Eye Institute Stephen Daiger, Ph.D., University of Texas Internet and Technology Tools Maurie Hill, Ai Squared Daniel Hubbell, Microsoft Ed Leary, Microsoft Know Your ADA Rights Julie Carroll, Senior Advisor, National Council on Disability Physical Fitness and Sports for the Visually Impaired Charles Plaskon, Visually Impaired Marathon Runner Lisa Lloyd, Foundation Fighting Blindness Education Rights and Options To Be Determined.
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM	The Doctor Is In Sessions Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Stargardt Disease, and Best Disease Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, M.D., University of North Carolina Emily Chew, M.D., National Eye Institute Tim Schoen, Ph.D., Foundation Fighting Blindness Retinitis Pigmentosa Gerald Fishman, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago Stephen Daiger, Ph.D., University of Texas Retinitis Pigmentosa Byrom Lam, M.D., Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Usher Syndrome William Kimberling, Ph.D., National Usher Syndrome Center J. Jill Hopkins, M.D., Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group Rare Retinal Degenerative Diseases including: Choroideremia, Retinoschisis, and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Jacque Duncan, M.D., University of California, San Francisco Retinitis Pigmentosa/Leber Congenital Amaurosis Shalesh Kaushal, M.D., Ph.D., University of Florida Rafael Caruso, M.D., National Eye Institute
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM	Exhibitor Reception
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM	Networking Sessions

Saturday, August 9, 2008
8:30 AM - 7:30 PM	Registration and Information Desk Open
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM	Exhibit Hall Open
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM	Coffee and Bagels in Exhibit Hall
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM	General Session: Accelerating the Advancement Of Cures to the Clinic Stephen Rose, Ph.D., Foundation Fighting Blindness Morton Goldberg, M.D., National Neurovision Research Institute
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM	Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM	The Doctor Is In Sessions Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Stargardt Disease, And Best Disease David Birch, Ph.D., Retina Foundation of the Southwest Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, M.D., University of North Carolina Retinitis Pigmentosa Eliot Berson, M.D., Harvard Medical School Retinitis Pigmentosa Byron Lam, M.D., Bascom Palmer Eye Institute David Gamm, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Usher Syndrome William Kimberling, Ph.D., National Usher Syndrome Center Rare Retinal Degenerative Diseases including: Choroideremia, Retinoschisis, and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Jacque Duncan, M.D., University of California, San Francisco Stephen Daiger, Ph.D., University of Texas Retinitis Pigmentosa/Leber Congenital Amaurosis J. Jill Hopkins, M.D., Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group Gerald Fishman, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch on your own
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM	Concurrent Information and Science Sessions Eating Right for your Retina Dennis Hoffman, Ph.D., Retina Foundation of the Southwest Practical Techniques and Valuable Resources for Successful Living Joann Wilson, National Federation of the Blind Treatment of RP Eliot Berson, M.D., Harvard Medical School The Potential of Stem Cells for Rescuing and Restoring the Retina David Gamm, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Cane & Guide Dog Mobility Panel Bill and Colleen Carty, Guide Dog User and Trainor Betsy Sawyer, Guide Dog User More to be determined.
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM	Concurrent Information and Science Sessions So You Want to be in a Clinical Trial: The Participant Selection Process Gerald Fishman, M.D., University of Illinois at Chicago Why Retinal Imaging is Important for Diagnosis and Treatment Jacque Duncan, M.D., University of California, San Francisco David Birch, Ph.D., Retina Foundation of the Southwest Emotional Adjustment to Vision Loss: An Attitude For Success Joann Wilson, National Federation of the Blind What's Cooking for your Retina: A Culinary Demonstration Dennis Hoffman, Ph.D., Retina Foundation of the Southwest Diane Bovenkamp, Ph.D., Foundation Fighting Blindness Low Vision Aids, Tips and Techniques To Be Determined
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM	Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM	General Session
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM	Reception
7:30 PM - Midnight	Dinner/Dance

Sunday, August 10, 2008
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Registration and Information Desk Open
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM	Light Continental Breakfast
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM	Closing Session Direct from the Clinic: Physicians and Patients Share their Clinical Trial Experiences - A session Not to be missed! Larry Hall, Participant in Neurotech Clinical Trial Jean Bennett, M.D., Ph.D., Lead Investigator, LCA Gene Therapy Trial at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

*schedule is subject to change

“The speakers were terrific, the sessions were informative, and I made new friends for life.
I can’t wait for VISIONS 2008!”