Technology and Philanthropy Unite to Cure Glaucoma

Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) will be inaugurating a groundbreaking series of events, Feb. 2 to 4, 2011 known as “Glaucoma 360.” All of the events will benefit Glaucoma Research Foundation, which is dedicated to innovative research to find better ways to care for people with glaucoma, and ultimately find a cure.

Glaucoma 360 will kick off on Feb. 2 with the 6th annual “Catalyst for a Cure” fundraising gala featuring a dinner and auction, plus a tribute and awards ceremony honoring all those who have advanced GRF’s mission of helping people with glaucoma preserve their vision. Performing at the event is Roger McGuinn, co-founder of The Byrds, who is also a distinguished GRF award recipient and a glaucoma patient. All events will take place at the Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Glaucoma 360 continues on Feb. 3 with the “New Horizons Forum,” the first of its kind in the nation to bring together large pharmaceutical and device manufacturers, start-up companies, doctors, researchers, venture capitalists and government regulators to discuss new advances to help prevent blindness from glaucoma. The full-day program will showcase companies that are developing new treatments for glaucoma patients, including surgical procedures, drug therapies, and drug delivery devices.

The event wraps up on Feb. 4 with a half-day Continuing Medical Education Glaucoma Symposium. Now in its 16th year, the Symposium updates ophthalmologists who treat glaucoma patients on the most recent advances in glaucoma treatments, surgical procedures, and diagnostics.

Glaucoma 360 is the inspiration of Adrienne Graves, PhD and Andrew Iwach, MD, who are both members of GRF’s Board of Directors. Dr. Graves is a visual scientist by training, a global industry leader in ophthalmology, and the former CEO of Santen Inc. Dr. Iwach, GRF’s Board Chair is Executive Director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California at San Francisco, and a faculty instructor at the California Pacific Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology.

All sponsorships, registration fees, and donations from Glaucoma 360 will benefit Glaucoma Research Foundation research and education programs. To learn more and register, visit www.glaucoma360.org.