SupportSight free seminar for people affected by macular degeneration

Sep 9 2009

Sponsored by Chester County Eye Care Associates and the Macula Vision Research Foundation

Chester County Eye Care Associates has joined with the Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF) to sponsor a SupportSight seminar in West Chester on September 26th. SupportSight is the national series of educational seminars for people affected by macular degeneration and for those who would like to learn more about this disease affecting more than 25 million people in this country. Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of severe and irreversible loss of central vision in people over 50.

This FREE seminar provides information to help attendees learn the newest developments in research and treatments, as well as a forum for discussions with others who have low vision. More than 25,000 people have attended SupportSight seminars in 25 cities across the country.

The West Chester seminar will take place on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at the Chester County Hospital, Mira Room, 701 E. Marshall Street in West Chester, PA 19380. Check-in begins at 9:30AM. The seminar runs from 10:00 AM until noon.

Dr. Bruce Saran of Chester County Eye Care Associates will address current and pending research and treatments for macular degeneration. His associate, Dr. Michael J. Ward will discuss genetic factors involved with the disease. Barbara Sarrett, a macular degeneration patient will talk about living well with this condition.

Macular Degeneration is a disease that, unchecked, sneaks up on you. By the time a patient notices a change in his or her vision, macular degeneration has already begun its irreversible process of obliterating a person's central vision - slowly destroying one's ability to see a new grandchild, read a letter from a friend, watch TV, scan a computer screen, or drive a car. There are many ways to live well with this challenging disease. MVRF's SupportSight has shown thousands how to live active, full lives in spite of low vision.

In addition to the seminar on September 26, the Foundation sponsors 5 support group meetings. These meetings are on October 7 and November 4 in 2009 and March 3, April 7 and May 5 in 2010 at the Fern Hill Medical Campus, Wellness Resource Class Room - Building B, 915 Old Fern Hill Road, West Chester, PA 19380.