NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Every 18 months, the Macula Vision Research Foundation hosts a conference that brings together industry-leading retinal scientists, clinicians and medical equipment developers.  This year, 25 participants were invited to share their work and collaborate with one another in an interactive setting at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York.

Dr. Samuel G. Jacobson, M.D. Ph.D., Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, discussed his groundbreaking studies on Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a genetic disease that causes significant vision loss in children.  These studies, supported by the Macula Vision Research Foundation, lead directly from recent results indicating safety and success in treatment trials of one form of LCA.  Dr. Jacobson's intent is to extend the progress and bring increased vision to children and adults with the many other forms of LCA that are currently considered untreatable. Other topics included, identification of new genes associated with macular degeneration, development of imaging tools to assess changes in retinal structure and function, advancements in drug therapy, and stem cell technology.

MVRF Founder, Herb Lotman stated, "The conference has exceeded my wife's and my expectations.  Each year we leave the conference amazed at the work being done and the discoveries being made. We're hopeful that one day this effort will lead to a cure."

MVRF's Scientific Advisory Board Chairman, Robert S. Molday, commented, "The 10th Macula Vision Research Foundation Conference attended by the world's foremost basic and clinical vision scientists was a resounding success.  New research discoveries and technological advancements presented at the meeting have resulted in a more comprehensive understanding of macular degeneration.  Participants were optimistic that ongoing and future clinical trials based on these research findings will produce new treatments which will greatly benefit individuals with age-related macular degeneration and inherited retinal degenerative diseases."  

MVRF's Scientific Advisory Board is comprised of six scientists and clinicians. Members include, Robert S. Molday, Ph.D., Chairman, University of British Columbia; Colin J. Barnstable, D.PHIL. Penn State College of Medicine; Dean Bok Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles; William W. Hauswirth, Ph.D., University of Florida College of Medicine; Roderick R. McInnes, M.D., Ph.D., Lady Davis Institute, McGill Institute; Philip J. Rosenfeld, M.D., Ph.D., Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. These internationally-renowned specialists attend the conference and select MVRF's research grantees.

The Macula Vision Research Foundation is a U.S. based non-profit organization, headquartered in West Conshohocken, PA.  Funding visionary research since 1997, MVRF has provided over $14 million in research grants with the goal of finding the cure for macular degeneration. 100% of every dollar donated to MVRF goes directly to research and education. All administrative costs are underwritten by the Karen and Herb Lotman Foundation. For more information contact:

Contact:
Shannon Wells
Marketing and Editorial Manager
100 Tower Bridge, Suite 300
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
shannon@mvrf.org
PH: 610-234-0091

SOURCE Macula Vision Research Foundation