Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) Hosts Fall 2021 Virtual
Congressional Briefings on Key Vision Issues
RSVP for events to Dina Beaumont at 202-407-8325 or dinabeau@aol.com
Wednesday, October 20
Congressional Briefing: Myopia: A Public Health Crisis
Streamed Noon – 1 p.m. eastern time
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of several refractive errors that occur when the eye cannot clearly focus on images from the outside world. Myopia affects 30 percent of the United States population and 28 percent of the world’s population and is expected to reach 50 percent by year 2050. Studies estimate that the global impact of uncorrected myopia results in a $244 billion annual loss of productivity. Speakers Jason Compton, OD (Compton Eye Associates, New York, New York) and Katherine Lee, MD, PhD (St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, Boise, Idaho) will address myopia clinical care and research.
AEVR’s co-sponsors for this event include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and Research to Prevent Blindness, with streaming support by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and event management support by Novartis.
View the Briefing flyer here.
Wednesday, November 10
Congressional Briefing: Speaking with Keratoconus Patients About Research and Treatments
Streamed Noon – 1 p.m. eastern time
Event link here.
AEVR is joining with the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) to recognize World Keratoconus Day 2021. Keratoconus (KC) is an eye condition in which the normally round, dome-shaped cornea — the transparent front of the eye — becomes weak and irregular, resulting in vision distortion, double or blurry vision, and light sensitivity. Researchers believe that certain individuals have a genetic predisposition to develop it, and a 2021 study from Australia suggests prevalence of 1.2 percent of the population, meaning it affects the lives of more than 3 million Americans. Speakers Christopher Rapuano, MD (Wills Eye Hospital) and Christine Sindt, OD, FAAO (University of Iowa) will address how they speak with newly diagnosed KC patients about research and treatment options. In addition to the NKCF, AEVR’s co-sponsors include Research to Prevent Blindness and the Eye Bank Association of America, with event management support by Glaukos and streaming support by ARVO and Novartis.
View the Briefing flyer here.