Recently@Retina

November 2023

The mission of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest is to prevent vision loss and restore sight through innovative research and treatment for pediatric eye conditions, inherited eye diseases, and age-related macular degeneration.

— LATEST NEWS & EVENTS —

A Message from Dr. Karl Csaky

The Retina Foundation has been the medical destination for agile, patient-centric, retinal research for over 40 years. As North Texas is elevated as a globally recognized center for life sciences, I am honored by the interest shown in scaling the Retina Foundation’s clinical trial process for other institutions. I am grateful to all of the Retina Foundation trial participants, supporters, and researchers who have contributed to this distinction.

Retina Foundation Hosts Immersive Experience with ARPA-H Representatives

The Retina Foundation was honored to host the first Immersive Experience for Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Dallas’ new federal biotechnology hub. Karl Csaky, MD, PhD provided great insight on the agility and success that smaller medical research institutions like the Retina Foundation have in overcoming typical barriers to life-changing clinical trials. We look forward to supporting this important work, which is elevating Texas and Dallas as the center of excellence in life sciences.

After completing its immersive meetings to gather information, Advancing Clinical Trial Readiness will fund efforts that aim to increase clinical trial access, opening the door to more patients for new treatments and solutions discovered during these trials.

Please Join Us in Welcoming Naomi Emmett, CFO & CBO

Naomi Emmett joins the Retina Foundation as Chief Financial Officer/Chief Business Officer. With 15 years of experience in higher education, Emmett brings a wealth of expertise in financial management, business operations and strategy to drive research and innovation. She holds an MBA from Chadron State College and a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Recent Clinical Trials@ Retina

Providing Personalized

Medicine:

How Stem Cell

Research is Driving

New Solutions for AMD

Sisters Jeanne and Diane with Dr. Sripathi.

The Retina Foundation is at the forefront of stem cell research for retinal diseases and is honored to have enrolled the first siblings in our study to uncover impactful solutions to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). As a progressive eye disease, AMD causes people to lose their ability to read, drive a car and recognize the faces of loved ones.

Jeanne has been diagnosed with AMD, but her sister, Diane, has not. They both witnessed their mother lose her vision because of AMD. From their blood draws, Dr. Sri Sripathi, Director of the Henderson Ocular Stem Cell Laboratory, can analyze why only one of the sisters has AMD even though they both have the genetic factor for the disease. Researchers can test the effectiveness of medicine that’s been FDA-approved on one individual’s stem cells. Researchers also aim to take patients’ cells, modify the genes and attempt to reverse vision loss.

Retina Foundation scientist showing the sisters their cells in preparation for genetic analysis.

She continued, “It’s amazing what Dr. Csaky and the Retina Foundation have taught me about macular degeneration. I know so much more than my friends with different doctors.” The sisters encourage others with AMD to contact the Retina Foundation to learn more and receive treatment from the best doctors in the world without being charged.

“I’m having a lot of fun with being the first in the world,” said Jeanne. “I know for most people ‘fun’ sounds like a crazy thing to say, but the Retina Foundation taught me more about my situation. They made me stop crying and have hope.”

The Retina Foundation’s Rods & Cones Foresight Circle is an impact society to support and engage in our mission.

Members may access private events with Retina Foundation leadership, special social engagements, and the first look at cutting-edge research and breakthroughs.

Join the Retina Foundation’s Rods & Cones Foresight Circle to help us find the best treatments and cures for Age-Related Macular

Degeneration (AMD), Inherited Retinal Diseases, and Pediatric Vision Disorders.

If you would like more information on joining the Retina Foundation’s Rods & Cones Foresight Circle please reach out to:

Amy Johnson

214-543-6533

ajohnson@retinafoundation.org

Click Here to Join

Choose the Retina Foundation as your charity of choice this #GivingTuesday – November 28.

It’s a day of giving back, giving opportunities, and giving organizations like the Retina Foundation the power to keep making a difference in our world. Help keep our services free of charge for more patients with your #GivingTuesday gift

Thanks to support from individuals like you, the Retina Foundation is a world leader in research for pediatric eye conditions, inherited retinal diseases, and age-related macular degeneration. The Retina Foundation’s research remains as critical as ever. We continue to work on the development of potential treatments for patients with various eye diseases through laboratory science and clinical trials.

Please help the Retina Foundation continue

leading research and saving sight.