CARES Conference Follow-Up

The 1st Annual Glaucoma Service Foundation CARES* Conference was a tremendous success! This patient educational event, held on January 20th at Wills Eye Institute exceeded our expectations. We were pleased to welcome over 200 glaucoma patients and their families along with high-risk individuals from the Philadelphia community who received free glaucoma screenings and information about glaucoma. In addition to lectures by the world-renowned Wills Eye glaucoma physicians, attendees had the opportunity to speak with those physicians in a relaxed atmosphere and visit vendors to learn about patient assistance programs and low vision services.

This unique conference allowed glaucoma patients and their families a chance to speak with others who are dealing with the issues of coping with this potentially blinding disease, get valuable insights to the best treatment options, and, as one gentleman said, understand that “they are not alone on this journey.”

Check back for post conference patient comments.

The Glaucoma Service Foundation sincerely thanks the glaucoma physicians who shared their time and knowledge with us on Saturday. They addressed many glaucoma related topics and provided useful information for all those present.

The Foundation is extremely grateful to the many volunteers who made this event possible: Glaucoma Service staff members and their families, Clinical and Research Fellows and Observers, Wills Eye Residents, Members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and Villanova’s Delta Gamma Sorority.

We are also most appreciative for the sponsors who helped make this event possible: Our lead sponsor, Allergan, made this event possible with a very generous, unrestricted grant. We also thank Sunrise of Dresher, and Alcon Labs for their generosity in funding. In addition, we recognize the following companies for their generous gifts-in-kind: Quiznos, Staples, Eckerd Drugs, Philly Soft Pretzel Factory, Pfizer Ophthalmics The Bagel Factory, South Jersey Party Supply, Inc, Berry & Homer, and DeVitis Design.

We would also like to thank the following vendors who shared valuable information and support with the attendees: Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Wills Eye Glaucoma Research Center, and The Wills Eye Low Vision Service.

(*Committed to Awareness through Research Education and Support)

Click here for CARES Photos by Mr. Roger Barone

CARES Comments/Suggestions