Glaucoma Research Foundation going global

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, plans for Glaucoma 360—the virtual 2021 Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) meeting—are blossoming. It has become clear that the continuing pandemic is no match for the enthusiasm of researchers and conference participants. All events will be held virtually and appear to be shaping up in a way that will rival the in-person events.

The virtual platform also offers the opportunity to increase attendance globally, as well as allow presentations by international experts.

Key dates to remember are:

> Saturday, January 23, 2021: CME/CE

> Friday, January 29, 2021: The Annual Gala–Fund a Need/Scientist

> Saturday, January 30, 2021: The 10th Annual New Horizons Forum

Registration for the events is open online at https://www.glaucoma.org/news/events/glaucoma-360.php. Registrants can opt to donate to the GRF to support research and educational programs.

The 25th Annual Glaucoma Symposium CME on January 23, for which attendees can earn 4 hours of CME credit, highlights the latest advances in glaucoma management, medications, and surgical techniques that are of special interest to practicing ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, and fellows. This symposium is presented by the Glaucoma Research and Education Group in partnership with the GRF. Advance registration is required. The presentation will run from 8 am to noon, PST.

Donald L. Budenz, MD, MPH, Kittner Family Distinguished Professor and chair, Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, will deliver the Shaffer-Hetherington-Hoskins Lecture keynote address, titled “Glaucoma at the Center of the Earth,” during the symposium.

The current agenda, listed alphabetically, includes the following speakers and topics to be addressed: George A. Cioffi, MD, “Managing in a Crisis: Ophthalmology in the COVID Era”; Ying Han, MD, PhD, “Glaucoma Drainage Devices: Tips for Better Success”; Andrew G. Iwach, MD, “Glaucoma: News and Views”; J. Michael Jumper, MD, “Glaucoma: Meet You at the Pars Plana”; Malik Y. Kahook, MD, “Surgical Management of the Glaucoma Patient with Advancing Visual Field Defect and Concurrent Anti-VEGF Treated Wet AMD”; L. Jay Katz, MD, “Secondary Glaucoma due to Intravitreal Steroid”; Shan C. Lin, MD, “The Latest in Cyclophotocoagulation”; Yvonne Ou, MD, “Using Handheld ERG to Diagnose Glaucoma”; Joseph F. Panarelli, MD, “Masquerade Syndromes: When is it NOT Glaucoma?”; Terri Pickering, MD, “Telemedicine in Glaucoma”; Sunita Radhakrishnan, MD, “Glaucoma and Dry Eyes: Double Trouble”; Kuldev Singh, MD, MPH, “Surgical Decision Making in the Era of MIGS”; Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, “Optimization and Surgical Modifications of Newer Glaucoma Surgeries”; Robert L. Stamper, MD, “ORA, Corneal Hysteresis, and the Corvis Scheimpflug Device”; and Ruth D. Williams, MD, “Cataract Surgery When? Practical Advice from the EAGLE Study.”

Related: Glaucoma 360: Fostering innovation in the face of costs, policy issues

Sixth Annual Optometric Glaucoma Symposium
This symposium on January 23, for which attendees can earn 3 hours of CE credit, highlights the latest advances in glaucoma for practicing optometrists. The symposium, which also is presented by the Glaucoma Research and Education Group in partnership with the GRF, requires advance registration. The session runs from 1 pm to 4 pm PST.

The current agenda listed alphabetically includes the following speakers and topics to be addressed: Murray Fingeret, OD, FAAO, “Glaucoma Test Results: Facts vs. Fiction”; John G. Flanagan, PhD, FCOptom, “Glaucoma: News and Views”; Andrew G. Iwach, MD, “Glaucoma: Pearls and Pitfalls”; J. Michael Jumper, MD, “Glaucoma: Meet You at the Pars Plana”; Malik Y. Kahook, MD, “NTG: Pearls and Pitfalls”; L. Jay Katz, MD, “Electrophysiology: Role in Glaucoma”; Shan C. Lin, MD, “The Role of Myopia in Glaucoma”; Terri Pickering, MD, “Telemedicine in Glaucoma”; Sunita Radhakrishnan, MD, “Glaucoma and Dry Eyes: Double Trouble”; Oluwatosin U. Smith, MD, “Addressing Cataracts in Patients with Glaucoma: To Combine or not to Combine?”; Robert L. Stamper, MD, “Home Tonometry”; and Ruth D. Williams, MD, “Innovations Wrought by COVID: Which Are Valuable Long Term?”

In commenting on the Glaucoma Symposium CME and the Optometric Glaucoma Symposium, Andrew G. Iwach, MD, cofounder and cochair, Glaucoma 360, and board chair, GRF, said the new virtual platform for Glaucoma 360 will enable the foundation to connect with its global glaucoma community.

Related: Glaucoma 360 shines spotlight on innovation

“While we cannot be together in person for safety reasons, technology gives us the ability to reach a much broader audience to highlight the very latest information on therapies, procedures, and best clinical practices to help doctors provide the most effective, state-of-the-art care for their patients,” Iwach said.

The Annual Gala
“This year’s 1-hour Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala will highlight our research and educational initiatives and include special entertainment and an extraordinary opportunity to recognize those dedicated to improving the lives of patients with glaucoma,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president and CEO of the GRF. “We are expecting friends from around the world to join together to raise funds to advance our sight-saving programs.”

The presentation slated for the gala on January 29 will include an overview and recent history of the GRF and Glaucoma 360, multiple awards, and a live fundraiser. This format offers the opportunity to expand audience outreach and the base of donors who would not normally attend a live gala. The goals of the gala are to raise $700,000, to honor and recognize key stakeholders and supporters, and to encourage attendance and engagement from past attendees.

The awards are a favorite segment of the gala. There are 4 planned for 2021.

The Catalyst Award will honor Ramin Valian, vice president, Glaucoma and Reimbursement US, Allergan Eye Care and AbbVie, for exemplary leadership in the advancement of innovative treatments for glaucoma and outstanding support of patient education.

Check out last year's Gala

The Visionary Award will go to Amy Dixon, Paralympic Team USA and president of Glaucoma Eyes International, for outstanding dedication to improving the lives of patients with vision loss.

The President’s Award will honor the Farrell family for dedicated fundraising and advocacy efforts.

Finally, the recipient of the Shaffer Prize, which recognizes the outstanding research project from the 2019 Shaffer Grants for Innovative Research, will be announced later.

The cost of attending the gala is a $75 household ticket, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase virtual tables and sponsorships that are in line with 2020 costs. Attendees who purchase sponsorships will have an opportunity to pick from a selection of gifts, which include champagne, fruit, or cheese.

New Horizons Forum
January 30 will be a day of presentations, panels, and discussions featuring CEOs from start-up companies, industry executives, ophthalmic leaders, venture capitalists, and the FDA. This meeting brings together individuals dedicated to speeding the translation of new ideas to improved therapies for patients with glaucoma. The registration for the forum is complimentary.

The broad topics to be addressed by research and industry leaders will include health care delivery, pandemic and beyond; diagnostics; therapeutics; global innovations; and the future of innovations.

Related: Glaucoma 360: Fostering innovation in the face of costs, policy issues

The Drs. Henry and Frederick Sutro Memorial Lecture, the opening keynote address, will be delivered by George A. Cioffi, MD, the Edward S. Harkness Chairman and ophthalmologist-in-chief, Department of Ophthalmology, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, New York.

For the first time this year, the H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, International Innovation Award will be presented to the most promising new technologies in glaucoma; the award will feature 3 levels: $5000 for first place, $3000 for second place, and $2000 for third place.

The award was made possible by Gene de Juan, MD, who donated the award funding.

Organizers said video recordings of the New Horizons Forum presentations are expected to be available 2 weeks before the event, and attendees will have access to the panel discussions on the day of the forum.

For any further questions, please contact Christopher Wiseman, associate director of events and engagement, Glaucoma Research Foundation. His email is christopher@glaucoma.org.

“Our 10th New Horizons Forum will be exciting and groundbreaking in a number of ways. It will be our first-ever virtual Glaucoma 360, which gives us the opportunity to ‘go global’ and focus on global issues in glawww.ucoma treatment and innovation,” said Glaucoma 360 cofounder and cochairperson Adrienne Graves, PhD, a GRF board member. “For speakers and moderators, we have already assembled an all-star lineup of glaucoma thought leaders from around the world.”

Graves added that the foundation is thrilled with the added ability to have global audience participation, and the potential support of glaucoma innovation around the globe.

“The new H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., MD, International Innovation Award will also provide a unique opportunity to recognize the most impactful and novel glaucoma advances globally,” she said.

See coverage from the 2020 Glaucoma 360 meeting