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THE GLAUCOMA FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER WINTER 2008 Gala Evening Raises Funds for The Foundation In the elegant setting of New York’s Pierre Hotel, 325 private and corporate supporters of The Glaucoma Foundation gathered on December 5th to attend the 21st Annual Black & White Ball. The gala showcased the important work of The Foundation and raised nearly $700,000 to carry out TGF’s crucial research and education initiatives. Christopher Gardner, the subject of the hit film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” based on his autobiography, was honored with the 2007 Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement. Presented personally by Ms. Hart since 1999, the award was presented this year in her memory by Ms. Hart’s daughter, Dr. Catherine Hart, and her son, Chris Hart. The black tie event was emceed by CBS-TV personality, Dave Price.

Gala Evening Raises Funds for The Foundation · Gala Evening Raises Funds for The Foundation ... global awareness of the global toll of this disease that ... advances in Ocular Coherence

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THE GLAUCOMA

FOUNDATION

NEWSLETTER

W I N T E R 2 0 0 8

Gala Evening Raises Funds forThe FoundationIn the elegant setting of New York’s Pierre Hotel, 325private and corporate supporters of The GlaucomaFoundation gathered on December 5th to attend the21st Annual Black & White Ball.

The gala showcased the important work of TheFoundation and raised nearly $700,000 to carry outTGF’s crucial research and education initiatives.Christopher Gardner, the subject of the hit film “ThePursuit of Happyness,” based on his autobiography,was honored with the 2007 Kitty Carlisle Hart Awardof Merit for Lifetime Achievement. Presentedpersonally by Ms. Hart since 1999, the award waspresented this year in her memory by Ms. Hart’sdaughter, Dr. Catherine Hart, and her son, Chris Hart.The black tie event was emceed by CBS-TVpersonality, Dave Price.

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Dear Friends:

Fall is traditionally the busiest season in TGF’s year and 2007 was noexception. In September, we hosted our 14th Annual Scientific Think Tank, atwhich experts from different scientific disciplines come together to sharetheir research and apply their expertise to the challenges of glaucoma. Thisyear, as you will read, the focus was on ultra-high resolution imagingtechniques for the eye, and how advances in nanotechnology can furtherenhance these important diagnostic tools in the years ahead.

To close out 2007, we held our Twenty-First Annual Black and White Ball, The Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. On that elegant andfestive occasion we were proud to honor Christopher Gardner, the subject ofthe successful movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” whose exceptional life storycarries a lesson for us all.

The Foundation is also increasingly involved with the broader glaucomacommunity to achieve our goals – including patient advocacy. Last fall we co-sponsored a major conference in the nation’s capital that we hope will havea positive impact on glaucoma patients’ access to screening and treatmentcovered by private insurers.

Globally, several members of TGF’s leadership serve on the board of theWorld Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA), which helps establish andencourage collaboration among patient support groups worldwide. I ampleased to be the current president of that organization and both Dr. RobertRitch, our Medical Director, and Dr. Gregory Harmon, our Chairman, sit onWGPA’s board. March 6th has been designated World Glaucoma Day to raiseglobal awareness of the global toll of this disease that afflicts 67 millionpeople worldwide.

Along with Foundation news, this issue features several patient-orientedarticles we hope you will find helpful and interesting. Providing a real serviceto glaucoma patients of all ages is the primary goal of our “Eye to Eye”newsletter, which we are publishing more frequently.

All these initiatives would not be possible without your valued support. TheGlaucoma Foundation extends a sincere ‘thank you’ to each of the 13,000individuals who contributed to our work in 2007. We are very grateful toeach and every one of you and hope your support will continue.

Sincerely,

Scott R. ChristensenPresidentChief Executive Officer

THE GLAUCOMA FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gregory K. Harmon, MDChairman of the Board

Joseph M. LaMottaChairman Emeritus

Robert Ritch, MDMedical Director, Vice President & SecretaryProfessor & Chief, Glaucoma ServiceThe New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

William C. Baker

Stephen D. Barkin

Joseph M. CohenChairmanJ.M. Cohen & Company

Peter J. CrowleyManaging DirectorHead of Healthcare Investment BankingCIBC World Markets

David G. CushmanSenior Vice President/Regional ManagerCushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.

Donald Engel

David FellowsPresident, Vision Care New VenturesVistakon

Murray Fingeret, ODChief, Optometry SectionSt. Albans VA Medical Center

Ilene Giaquinta

Debora K. Grobman

Barbara W. Hearst

Chuck F.V. ImhofManaging Director, Greater NY AreaAmerican Airlines, Inc.

Gerald Kaiser, Esq.

Paul L. Kaufman, MDProfessor of Ophthalmology & Visual SciencesDirector, Glaucoma ServiceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison

Theodore Krupin, MDProfessor of OphthalmologyNorthwestern University Medical School

Susan LaVentureExecutive DirectorNational Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

Martin R. LewisMartin R. Lewis Associates

Jeffrey M. Liebmann, MDClinical Professor of OphthalmologyDirector, Glaucoma ServiceManhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Maurice H. Luntz, MDEmeritus Clinical ProfessorThe Mount Sinai School of MedicineEmeritus Director Glaucoma ServiceManhattan, Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Kenneth Mortenson

Susan A. Murphy

Sheldon M. Siegel

James C. Tsai, MDProfessor & ChairmanDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual ScienceYale School of Medicine

Mary Jane Voelker

Irving Wolbrom

Alcon Laboratories, Inc.Kevin J. BuehlerSenior Vice PresidentUS Chief Marketing Officer

Allergan, Inc.Julian GangolliCorporate Vice PresidentPresident, North American Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer, Inc.Dennis KowalskiDirector/Team Leader – US MarketingOphthalmic & Endocrine Care

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Scott R. Christensen

Letter from the President

Colors: 295 202 K 3

Doctor, I Have a Question.

??DIHAQ

Questions answered by:Dr. James TsaiRobert R. Young Professor and ChairDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale University School of Medicine

?

I have asthma: will my inhalermedication affect IOP? If you use a steroid inhaler, it may causeelevated IOP with long-term use. Somemedicines (like beta-blockers used for treatinghigh blood pressure and glaucoma; aspirin; andnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) caninterfere with asthma medicines or even causeasthma attacks. Be sure to tell your doctorabout all medicines that you take, includingover-the-counter ones.

Is LASIK surgery safe for glaucomapatients and people at risk forglaucoma?LASIK, a form of refractive surgery, can be anoption for a patient with glaucoma, particularlyif the intraocular pressure (IOP) is wellcontrolled and the glaucoma is mild. DuringLASIK, there is a brief, but significant, rise inIOP. The refractive surgeon may prefer PRK(another form of refractive surgery) over LASIKfor patients with glaucoma because PRK doesnot involve a rise in IOP during the procedure.

In both LASIK and PRK the cornea is thinned.This may result in a misreading of IOP becausethe instruments used to measure IOP underes-timate eye pressure in a thinner-than-averagecornea. Following LASIK or PRK, a glaucomapatient must be aware that futuremeasurements of IOP may need to be adjustedto determine a true reading. Knowing the “trueIOP” will ensure that the glaucoma treatment isstill effective and that eye pressure isadequately controlled. An experienced

glaucoma specialist will be able to adjust to theIOP measurements according to the patient’scentral corneal thickness (CCT). It is importantthat the eye doctor be aware that theglaucoma patient has had refractive surgery inthe past, and that the IOP may be underes-timated.

What over-the-counter (OTC)medications are safe forglaucoma patients?There are various OTC drugs that can causedilation of the pupil and suddenly cause angle-closure attacks, and/or promote thedevelopment of chronic angle-closure insusceptible patients with very narrow angles.Drugs prescribed for conditions as diverse asdepression, allergy and systemic hypertensioncan cause papillary dilation and result in angle-closure in patients with untreated narrowangles. It does not apply to patients with open-angles or patients whose narrow angleshave already been treated.

We recommend asking your glaucomaspecialist/ophthalmologist before taking anydrug that has “warnings” about usage inpeople with glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group ofdifferent diseases and what is best for onepatient may not work for another. Only adoctor who examines your eyes can determinethe most appropriate treatment for you oranswer questions about your specific condition.It is also a good idea to discuss possible druginteractions with your pharmacist.

2007 Think TankHigh Resolution Imaging of the EyeHigh resolution imaging of the eye is a majorbreakthrough that, according to the 55 partic-ipants attending The Glaucoma Foundation’s2007 Scientific Think Tank, is redefining ourophthalmic horizons. Today it is understoodthat glaucoma is a progressive disease of theoptic nerve, with visual field loss attributed tothe degeneration of retinal ganglion cells andtheir axons (nerve fibers). Imaging devices thatcan quantitatively assess the structure andintegrity of the optic nerve, retina and retinalnerve fiber layer are crucial to early diagnosisof glaucoma and monitoring responses totherapy.

At the two-day interdisciplinary Think Tank inSeptember, researchers, clinicians, biomedicalengineers and neuroscientists from eightcountries gave presentations about state-of-the-art imaging technology, going beyonddiagnostic tools that have made it to themainstream to discuss what’s new in researchand development of devices that incorporatecutting edge optics, microtechnology andnanotechnology.

Several participants reported on recentadvances in Ocular Coherence Tomography(OCT) that provide much clearer images of themacula; topographic images of the optic nerveand measurement of the thickness of theretinal nerve fiber. The newest ultra-highresolution and high speed OCT, 500 timesfaster than standard OCT, provides a wealth ofnew data. The limitation of the OCTtechnology remains its inability to measurechanges in the retinal fiber thickness over aperiod of time. Think Tank participants alsospoke of the need for better ways to analyzeand share the new data.

“Our Think Tank participants are at thevanguard of exploration,” says Robert Ritch,MD, Chair of the Think Tank and TGF’s MedicalDirector. “With these and other advancedimaging technologies, we will be able to moreprecisely diagnose and predict thedevelopment of visual field abnormalities inat-risk individuals and better assess clinicallysignificant change in a patient’s condition over time.”

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Central to the 2007 Think Tank program werepresentations about new techniques that canimage functional changes before anatomicconsequences of glaucoma arise. Among them:

■ Devices that measure ocular blood flow velocityand indicate differences between individuals withglaucoma and those without. Researchers havefound reduced velocity in the arteries and vein ofthe retina of glaucoma patients that may besecondary as well as contribute to glaucomatousdamage.

■ DARC (Detection of Apoptosing Retinal Cells), anew method that uses advanced optical techniquesto image and track the process of nerve cell death in real time. DARC has detected very earlyglaucomatous changes, thus enabling rapid andobjective assessments of potential sight-savingstrategies.

■ New Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)techniques that can measure changes in neuronalactivity and could give early indications of positiveresponses to treatments for nerve cellregeneration.

■ New techniques in microscopy that takemeasurements at the cellular level and can detectnanometer-scale motions in living cells.

■ Array Tomography, a new imaging method whichlooks at molecular changes and holds promise inadvancing the study of neural circuits and theirdisorders.

L to R: TGF Board Member, Irving Wolbrom; TGF Chairman, Greg Harmon, MD; TGF Founder and MedicalDirector, Robert Ritch, MD; Elaine Wolbrom; TGF President and CEO, Scott Christensen

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Laser SurgeryA laser is a highly concentrated beam oflight that is often used to treat glaucoma.For some patients, laser surgery may be oneof the first steps recommended by theirdoctor. For others, laser surgery may besuggested if medication does not reducethe intraocular pressure (IOP) to a sufficientdegree, or if medication fails to maintain anadequately controlled IOP over time.Doctors use laser light in a variety of waysto treat glaucoma. During laser surgery, theeye is numbed so that there is little or nopain.

Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT)Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is atreatment that was first introduced in the1970s and has proven to be effective fordifferent types of glaucoma. It is mostsuccessful for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma who have not had cataractsurgery and/or patients who have pseudoex-foliation (exfoliation glaucoma). In the ALTprocedure, the surgeon directs a laser beaminto the trabecular meshwork, which is theprimary fluid drainage region of the eye.The trabecular meshwork is located in theangle of the eye, where the cornea meetsthe iris. The effect is increased drainage ofaqueous fluid out of the eye, therebylowering the IOP.

The procedure is usually completed in thedoctor’s office or as an out-patientprocedure, with the patient seated at thelaser, and a lens applied to the surface ofthe eye to allow the laser applications intothe trabecular meshwork. Usually, half thefluid channels are treated first. While nomedication or procedure can reverse

glaucoma, an ALT works toreduce IOP in the greatmajority of cases for a periodof time. A second ALT may beappropriate after severalyears; ALT may be usedalone or in combinationwith medications.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)Approved by the FDA in 2001, SLT is a typeof treatment that uses a combination offrequencies allowing the laser to work atvery low levels. It treats cells selectively andleaves portions of the trabecular meshworkintact. Unlike ALT, SLT appears toproduce no superficial scarringof the trabecular meshwork. As a result, SLThas the theoretical potential for beingrepeated as needed. SLT may be analternative for patients who have beentreated unsuccessfully with ALT surgery orwith pressure lowering medication. SLT hasbeen demonstrated to be effective inlowering IOP in patients with open-angleglaucoma.

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)Developing since the 1970s, LPI is aprocedure in which laser energy is used tomake an opening through the iris, allowingaqueous fluid to flow from behind the irisdirectly to the anterior chamber of the eye.This allows the aqueous to bypass its normalroute. LPI is the preferred method formanaging a wide variety of angle-closureglaucomas that have some degree ofpupillary block. The procedure is usuallycompleted in the office or as a brief out-patient procedure.

Types of Glaucoma SurgerySurgery for glaucoma falls primarily into two categories – laser surgery and traditional, orcutting, surgery. Within each category, there are different procedures available and othersbeing developed. Here are some of the more common surgical procedures used broadlyby physicians today.

Optic Nerve

Central Retinal Vein

Choroid

Central Retinal Artery

Muscle

Sclera

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Traditional SurgeryFiltration Surgery(Trabeculectomy)When medications and laser therapies donot lower IOP sufficiently, doctors mayrecommend a procedure called filtrationsurgery, also known as a trabeculectomy,which employs conventional surgicaltechniques and is used in both open-angleand closed-angle glaucomas. The surgeoncreates a sclerostomy, a passage in thesclera (the white part of the eye), fordraining excess eye fluid. A flap is createdthat allows fluid to escape, but which doesnot deflate the eyeball.

A small bubble of fluid called a “bleb”often forms over the opening on thesurface of the eye, which is a sign thatfluids are draining out. Occasionally, thesurgically created drainage hole begins toclose and the IOP rises again. This happensbecause the body tries to heal the newopening, as if it was an injury. Anti-wound

healing drugs help slow down theaggressive healing response at the site.About 50 percent of patients no longerrequire glaucoma medications for asignificant length of time after surgery. 35 to 40 percent of those who still needmedication have better control of their IOP.

A trabeculectomy is usually an out-patientprocedure. The number of post-operativevisits to the doctor varies depending onpatient circumstances. Some activities, suchas driving, reading, bending or heavy liftingmust be limited for a two to four weekperiod. Full recovery is usually expectedafter two to four weeks.

Shunt DevicesDespite the success associated today withfiltration surgery, there is a significantminority of patients whose IOP cannot becontrolled with traditional surgery.Glaucoma drainage devices offer hope forthese patients. Aqueous shunts areimplantable drainage devices in which asmall tube extends into the anteriorchamber of the eye. The tube is connectedto one or more plates, which are sutured tothe surface of the eye, usually not visibleunder the eyelid. Fluid is collected on theplate and then is absorbed by the tissues inthe eye. This surgery is usually an out-patient procedure, most often with localanesthesia.

Aqueous Humor

Ciliary Body

Cornea

Iris

Lens

Vitreous Cavity

Retina

Conjunctiva

Trabecular Meshwork

Fall 2007 TGF has approved the funding ofthree new innovative research projectsthat focus on better understandingseveral types of glaucoma.

Markus H. Kuehn, PhDAssistant Professor, Ophthalmology andVisual SciencesThe University of Iowa, Iowa City

Genetic Characterization of a NovelCanine Model of Heritable AngleClosure Glaucoma

In primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG), the iris blocks the drainage offluid from the eye through thetrabecular meshwork. In the US, PACGaccounts for about 10 percent ofglaucoma, but in other countries,particularly in Asia, it represents themajority of cases. To date, genesassociated with PACG have not beenidentified. The researchers recentlyidentified a pedigree of Basset houndsafflicted with hereditary PACG, withfeatures similar to those observed inhumans. Preliminary genetic studiespoint to small regions of their genomewhich most likely contain the disease-causing mutation. The proposedproject seeks to identify this mutation.Discovery of the responsible gene willenhance understanding of how thisdisease develops and may aid in earlydetection of at-risk persons andimprove the ability to evaluate theeffectiveness of treatment regimens.

Paulo D. Koeberle, PhDAssistant Professor, Division of Anatomy, Department of SurgeryUniversity of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Role of Extracellular MatrixInteractions in Retinal Ganglion CellSurvival and Growth FactorNeuroprotection

Glaucoma is a progressive disease thatresults in the programmed cell deathof retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Anumber of naturally occurring proteinsknown as neurotrophic factors havebeen shown to promote RGC survivaland regeneration. The therapeutic useof neurotrophic factors has beenlimited due to a number of factors,including the loss of effectivenesswhen they are delivered forprolonged periods. Dr. Koeberle’sresearch suggests that one factorcontributing to the loss ofeffectiveness is the activation ofenzymes that degrade theextracellular matrix surrounding nervecells. This study will identify thosecritical matrix components and thesignaling cascades that help promotecell survival in concert with signalingpathways that are activated byneurotrophic factors. It is hoped thatthis will lead to the development ofnew avenues for using neurotropicfactors as effective therapeutics forglaucoma.

Mansoor Sarfarazi, PhDProfessor of Human Molecular Genetics University of Connecticut Health Center

Genome-Wide Association Study ofNormal-Tension Primary Open AngleGlaucoma

While elevated intraocular pressure(IOP) is the most important known riskfactor for glaucoma, approximately 30percent of primary open-angleglaucoma in the United States can beaccounted for by non-IOP dependentrisk factors, most commonly referredto as normal tension glaucoma (NTG).Dr. Sarfarazi’s group previouslyidentified a defective gene that isprimarily involved with the inheritedforms of NTG. But for the majority of

Research Grants

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Research Grants continued

cases no specific gene is known. This study willuse a subgroup of NTG cases and a similarnumber of matched control subjects and scanthe genome with over 1.8 million land markedDNA markers. It is anticipated that a specificDNA marker will be identified that is highlyassociated with the NTG phenotype.Identification of such a DNA marker will lead

the researchers to a specific gene or a knownbiological pathway, providing an early methodof detection for NTG and promotingsubsequent development of an effectivemedical therapy.

Balwantray Chauhan, PhDDr. Chauhan is a Professor and ResearchDirector of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciencesand Professor of Physiology & Biophysics atDalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.He holds the first endowed Chair in VisionResearch at Dalhousie and was instrumental inestablishing the university’s Retina and OpticNerve Research Laboratory. Dr. Chauhan is theprincipal investigator of the CanadianGlaucoma Study, a just concluded long-termand broad project. His clinical researchinterests are in the diagnosis of early changesin the visual field and optic nerve as well asexperimental models of optic nerve damage.

Philip P. Chen, MDDr. Chen is an Associate Professor in theDepartment of Ophthalmology at theUniversity of Washington in Seattle. Hereceived his undergraduate degree withhonors from Stanford University and his MDfrom Yale University School of Medicine. Dr.Chen completed his internship at St. Vincent’sHospital & Medical Center in New York, hisresidency at Doheny Eye Institute in LosAngeles, and his glaucoma fellowship atBascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Hisresearch interests include diagnosis, treatmentmethods (medical and surgical), and outcomesof treatment of open-angle and angle-closureglaucoma, and anterior segment surgery.

David S. Greenfield, MD Dr. Greenfield is a Professor of Ophthalmologyat the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Universityof Miami School of Medicine, practicing inPalm Beach Gardens, Florida. His researchinterests include optic disc and retinal nervefiber imaging in glaucoma, bleb-related ocularinfection, normal-tension glaucoma, andcomplex glaucoma filtration surgery.Greenfield received his undergraduate andMD degrees from New York University. Hisresidency was completed at New England EyeCenter at Tufts University and his fellowshipsin both glaucoma and neuro-ophthalmologyat Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He is activelyinvolved in clinical and pharmaceuticalresearch.

David S. Walton, MDDr. Walton is a Clinical Professor ofOphthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and EarInfirmary, Harvard Medical School. He receivedhis MD from Duke University School ofMedicine and completed his ophthalmictraining at the Massachusetts Eye and EarInfirmary. Dr. Walton is boarded in bothpediatrics and ophthalmology and has aunique practice that contains a highpercentage of childhood glaucoma cases. Hisresearch interest focuses on the mechanismsof childhood glaucomas.

TGF Expands Medical Advisory Board: Four New Members

TGF Co-Sponsors MedicalConference in Washington, DCOn October 18, The Glaucoma Foundation and the Potomac Institute for PolicyStudies convened a major policy conference to address the publication of a report by the United States Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF) that states that there isinsufficient scientific evidence to support the practice of screening for glaucoma inthe U.S. population.

Hon. Louis Sullivan, MD, former Secretary of the Department of Health & HumanServices (HHS); current Deputy HHS Secretary, Tevi Troy; Senator Norm Coleman;Hon. Mark McClennan, MD, PhD, former Commissioner of the FDA and formerMedicare Administrator; and members of the patient and medical community participated in the day-long session to consider the scientific evidence counteringthe USPSTF report dismissing the vital role of glaucoma screening. TGF Boardmember, Debora Grobman, presented from the patient’s advocacy perspective andTGF President and CEO, Scott Christensen, delivered remarks as well.

The conference was convened because the task force had previously declined toconsider public comments presenting new information, and the speakershighlighted the urgent need for review of the evidence before patients might befurther harmed. Said Dr. Sullivan, Honorary Chairman of the conference: “We in themedical and scientific communities owe it to the American people to develop aunified federal policy concerning the management of this serious eye condition.”

At the conclusion of the conference, Dr. Ned Calonge, Chair of the task force,pledged to recommend to his task force members that they take the extraordinarystep of re-evaluating their findings. Christensen applauded the work of theconference participants in moving toward a consensus on glaucoma screening policy,which will have an enormous benefit to the millions of Americans at-risk fordeveloping the disease.

thanksWe Value Your Giving!While headlines about charitable giving focus on ‘mega-gifts’, it is notable that nationally, according toGiving USA, the percentage of households with incomes under $100,000 that give to charities is higher thanthe percentage who vote or read a Sunday newspaper.

The Glaucoma Foundation’s experience reflects this fact – we are immensely proud and grateful that thenumber of individuals who donated to TGF in 2007 topped 13,000. We value your trust that we are workingto meet the challenges of finding new treatments and one day eliminating blindness from glaucoma.

Targeted growth requires increased support. It is your contributions – large and small – that enable us tointensify our research efforts and launch new education initiatives. In the research realm, a TGF granteerecently underscored the importance of private foundations in the current climate of government fundingfor health: in the past three years, the budget of the National Institutes of Health has increased less than therate of inflation. “We have to make up the difference,” he says. We are counting on you to help us do that.

Upcoming GlaucomaSupport and EducationGroup Meetings:N e w Y o r k C i t y C h a p t e rDate: March 15, 2008

Topic: New Surgical Approaches inGlaucoma and an Update onAnterior Segment Imaging

Speakers: Z. Sbeity, MD and Pat Michael Palmiero, MD

Location: New York Eye and Ear Infirmary310 East 14th Street, NYC

Time: 11:00am

N e w E n g l a n d C h a p t e rDate: April 5, 2008

Topic: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Glaucoma

Speaker: Gregory K. Harmon, MDChairman of the Board, TGF

Location: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary243 Cambridge Street, Boston MA

Time: 10:30am

For more information call TGF at 212.285.0080

CHAPTERC O R N E R

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WE NEEDY O U R S U P P O R T

Yes, I support The Glaucoma Foundation’s work in

pursuit of new treatments and cures for glaucoma.Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of:

■■ $25 ■■ $50 ■■ $100 ■■ $250 ■■ $500

■■ $1000 ■■ Other $__________

Please make checks payable to: The Glaucoma Foundation.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

PHONE

EMAIL

CREDIT CARD GIFT

Gifts may be made with Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

CREDIT CARD #

EXPIRATION

SIGNATURE

■■ Please do not share my name with other organizations.*

The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700 • New York, NY 10038

* In order to locate additional supporters, The Foundation occasionally trades mailing lists with other non-profit organizations.Checking this box will ensure that The Glaucoma Foundation never trades your address. [ 45-2008]

Survey Assesses Glaucoma AwarenessA new All Eyes on Glaucoma survey found that two-fifths of Americans over the age of 40 are not going forannual eye examinations, even though twice as manyfear blindness than fear heart disease or dyingprematurely. The international survey, conductedamong some 4,300 people aged 40 or older, included732 adults in the U.S. It was sponsored by PfizerOphthalmics and supported by the World GlaucomaAssociation and the World Glaucoma PatientAssociation. Also among survey findings: almost 70percent of Americans 40 or older have not been advisedby their physician to see an eye specialist. AmongAmericans over 40 with risk factors for glaucoma, morethan 60 percent had not been so advised.

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 60

FARMINGDALE, NY11735

A copy of The Glaucoma Foundation’s annual financial report may be obtained upon request by writing to The Foundation at 8o Maiden Lane, Suite 700, New York, NY 10038 or by residents of the states listed below from the appropriate state agency.Florida: A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the State .Registration Number - CH7263. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, orrecommendation by the State. Maryland: Information filed under the Maryland Charitable Organizations Laws can be obtained for the cost of postage and copies from the Office of the Maryland Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401 or bycalling 410-974-5534. Mississippi: Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, Charities registration, PO Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205-0136, 601-359-1633. New Jersey: Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation may beobtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 201-504-6215. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement. New York: A copy of the last annual report filed may be obtained upon request in writing tothe Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: A copy of the license to solicit charitable contributions as a charitable organization or sponsor and financial information maybe obtained from the Department of Human Resources, Solicitation Licensing Branch, by calling 919-733-4510. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financialinformation of The Glaucoma Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Virginia: Official registration and financialinformation of The Glaucoma Foundation may be obtained from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. Washington: Registration and financial report informationmay be obtained from the Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422 or by calling 1-800-332-4483. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financialdocuments from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.

W I N T E R2 0 0 8

TGF Board MembersPresent to Area Organization about Eye Health

On Thursday, September 20, 2007, 80 employees from the law firm of Kramer,Levin, Naftalis and Frankel, LLP attended a “Lunch and Learn” lecture featuringglaucoma patient, Debora Grobman, and glaucoma specialist, Dr. Jim Tsai. Thewell received lecture, which also featured a question and answer segment,addressed glaucoma and the importance of being an active participant in yourophthalmic health. Grobman, a recently retired Kramer Levin attorney, andTsai, the Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Yale University, are

both members of the TGF Board of Directors.

More lectures have been planned for the future. If your company hosts similarlunchtime series and is interested in having Ms. Grobman and a TGF physician

give a presentation, please contact Clara Cullen at The Foundation at 212.285.0080.

Funding for this newsletter generously provided by Alcon Laboratories, Inc.

The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700 New York, NY 10038www.glaucomafoundation.orgT 212.285.0080 T 212.651.1888