As part of next month’s “Envisioning Path to Hope” initiative, the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) is preparing to host a webinar geared toward eye care professionals (ECPs) on best practices for managing patients with inherited retinal disease (IRD).
Established in 1971, the FFB is the world’s leading private funder of retinal disease research and is responsible for the identification of over 270 genes linked to retinal disease as well as the launch of 40+ clinical trials for potential treatments.
In honor of the virtual session, Glance President Jaclyn Garlich, OD, FAAO, spoke with Michelle Glaze, FFB’s director of professional outreach, on why ECPs should be attending and what to expect.
Tell me about this initiative.
FFB’s “Envisioning Path to Hope” initiative—kicking off in March 2024—is aiming to expand ECP connections across the United States, giving an opportunity for “all of our volunteers and partners to share the foundation with (ECPs) within their personal network," according to Glaze.
Gotcha. Now give me the bigger picture on this upcoming event.
With nearly 50 clinical trials currently ongoing for emerging IRD therapies as well as the availability of no-cost genetic testing for patients, Glaze stated that ECPs, “can do so much to help IRD patients on their challenging journeys.”
Below, Glaze speaks with Dr. Garlich on FFB’s purpose and what attendees should know about the webinar.
Now the webinar details.
The free, online course seeks to raise awareness among ECPs of FFB’s resources for both IRD patients and caregivers, with topics such as:
- Recommended functional and structural tests
- Potential manageable complications
- Genetic testing and why it is a critical element in IRD care
- Clinical trials for emerging therapies
- IRD patient registries, low vision clinics, and additional resources
Who’s hosting?
Two ECPs will deliver the hour-long course:
- Rachel Huckfeldt, MD, PhD
- Assistant professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School; clinician-scientist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, Massachusetts.
- IRD experience: Conducted postdoctoral research on novel therapeutics at the University of Pennsylvania; completed clinical fellowships in medical retina (University of Iowa) and IRDs (Mass Eye and Ear).
- Rachelle Lin, OD, MS, FAAO
- Assistant professor at the Southern California College of Optometry (COO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California.
- IRD experience: Conducts genetic testing for inherited eye conditions in the clinical departments of Acquired Brain Injury and Low Vision Rehabilitation.
So when is this taking place?
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 7 to 8 pm EST.