A surprising connection: Parkinson's drug L-DOPA protects against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researcher Brian McKay, PhD, used this finding to discover a protective eye pathway & create an AMD supplement. Now he's working on new treatments based on this discovery. 🔬

#FuchsDystrophy is a common blinding corneal disease but only 1 in 70 patients globally have access to transplant tissue. @arvoinfo.bsky.social#FuchsDystrophymember Rajalekshmy Shyam is working on developing more accessible therapies. Read how federal funding supports her research: https://bit.ly/471Np8o

Early-mid career female @arvoinfo.bsky.social members! Apply for our Women's #LeadershipDevelopment Program to boost your leadership skills, expand your network and seize new opportunities. Deadline is Oct. 31: https://bit.ly/47oYoJC

Apply for an @arvoinfo.bsky.social Foundation EyeFind Research Grant for the chance to receive up to $5K for tissue samples from eye banks for your #VisionResearch project. Sponsored by @brightfocus.bsky.social#VisionResearch Submit by Oct. 31 https://bit.ly/45LmPj7

@arvoinfo.bsky.social‬ members―enter your best lab-produced image for the 2025 ARVO Scientific Image Contest and showcase the hidden wonders of #VisionResearch. Your art could be displayed at #ARVO2026 and win a $300 gift card! Deadline is tomorrow: https://bit.ly/4mNNbq8

Junior researchers: Apply for @arvoinfo.bsky.social's Early Career Mentorship Program for a golden opportunity to get the guidance you need from an ARVO mentor tailored to your interests. Submit by Dec. 1: https://bit.ly/42XnSdM

Catch up with @arvoinfo.bsky.social President-elect Terri Young, MD, MBA, FARVO, as she discusses her work in ocular genetics, the importance of advocating for continued funding of #VisionResearch and her advice to junior researchers on the value of ARVO membership. Watch now: https://bit.ly/4oPpOxz

Recognize excellence in #VisionResearch! Nominate a remarkable colleague for one of @arvoinfo.bsky.social#VisionResearchs prestigious Achievement Awards and celebrate groundbreaking contributions to #ophthalmology and #VisualScience. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/438zpHr

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Great opportunity for prospective grad students in integrative pathobiology. Info on how to register for virtual open house on October 30 below.

Today is #WorldDenseBreastDay! Educate yourself and those you love about the higher risks of missed cancer on mammograms and of developing breast cancer. Great resources @densebreastinfo.bsky.social @densebreastscanada.bsky.social. Thank you @bcrfcure.bsky.social for supporting our research!

A treatment being tested in clinical trials for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's using personalized, non-invasive brain stimulation shows promise in slowing cognitive decline and preserving daily function. Read about Dr. Giacomo Koch's research: https://bit.ly/41Jr4JG 🧠 🔬

What if vision loss from glaucoma could be restored? Find out today at 1pm ET, when Dr. Lucy Shen of Mass. Eye and Ear breaks down where the science stands on vision restoration. Watch our livestream to learn about the latest advances in optic nerve regeneration and stem cell and gene therapies. ⤵️

Despite high risk, people with Down Syndrome are excluded from Alzheimer's trials. Inclusive research will increase their life expectancy by 5 years & reduce care costs. Read about the research co-funded by BrightFocus Foundation and published in @alzdemjournals.bsky.social: https://bit.ly/42rTojT

Dr. Keith Hengen is taking a new approach to Alzheimer's research by studying early brain activity patterns during sleep. Join us on Sept 18 at noon ET on Instagram Live for a conversation about his Alzheimer's research + answers to your questions. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Kme46I.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions and can only be diagnosed through eye exams. Many don't know they have it until irreversible vision loss has already occurred. Watch our new PSA featuring first-person accounts of vision loss. Join us to #StopAMD: https://bit.ly/4na8QK1

Glaucoma affects more than 4 million Americans & can only be diagnosed through a dilated eye exam—yet too many people don’t know they have glaucoma until irreversible vision loss has occurred. Our new "Stop Glaucoma” PSA encourages everyone to protect their sight: https://bit.ly/46q9jQS

Join us for our Sept 24 Macular Chat featuring Dr. Sara Fard, a retina specialist at Illinois Retina Associates, as she explains the benefits of sustained GA treatment, including slowing the rate of vision loss, protecting retinal tissue & supporting visual function. Details: https://bit.ly/4miH393

So proud for @brightfocus.bsky.social to be supporting Dr. Carr and her students. Looking forward to witnessing many discoveries from this lab.

Yesterday was BrightFocus Foundation’s #AMD Fast Track as a pre-meeting workshop for International #Retinal Degeneration scientific conference. Link to program: https://www.brightfocus.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-AMD-FastTrack-Prgram-FINAL-A4-web.pdf Videos will be shared soon.

It’s @choroidlab.bsky.social presenting on his very favorite topic, the choroid at the @brightfocus.bsky.social #RD2025 meeting.

It’s @dianebovenkamp.bsky.social from @brightfocus.bsky.social presenting at the AMD Fast Track meeting at the #RD2025 meeting.

The #BaltimoreCameraClub hosted a Welcome Back Potluck & Year-End Award Ceremony. Pics included here. Kudos to all who submitted—whether you win or not, we all are enriched by your artistry. See you soon (calendar): https://www.baltimorecameraclub.org/d/d01b3aca-e969-44ca-b574-0844eb363c2a

When it comes to protecting your sight, knowledge is power. Join us for a chat with @uarizona.bsky.social researchers Drs. Brian McKay & Murray Brilliant about the benefits of AREDS2 supplements for macular degeneration & new research into L-DOPA. Register at: www.brightfocus.org/macular/reso...

Thank you to the the @brightfocus.bsky.social for featuring my research on retinal deposits and their potential association with AMD. 🐸🧪 @dianebovenkamp.bsky.social www.brightfocus.org/news/how-bet...

Meet our newest grant recipients across Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration & glaucoma research! These exceptional investigators were selected for their potential to bring us closer to cures by pursuing the untried, the unexpected, and the most promising ideas. Explore their research: bit.ly/4mnqZTX

Join Dr. Amy Zhang from the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center on Aug 13 at 1pm ET to discover why proactive glaucoma care matters. We'll discuss cutting-edge options like minimally invasive surgery, at-home pressure monitoring, and continuous drug delivery systems. Learn more. ⬇️

Dr. Sandeep Moothedath Subrahmanian of Penn State College of Medicine is studying how a “molecular switch” causes a stress response protein, REDD1, to build up and damage retinal cells in early macular degeneration. His goal: to stop the disease before vision is lost. Read more: bit.ly/47jUpxN

Mengya Zhao, PhD, a BrightFocus National Glaucoma Research grant recipient, uses innovative models to study neuronal resilience to glaucoma. Her findings could reveal survival signals in resistant retinal ganglion cells & guide therapies to protect more sensitive ones. Read more: bit.ly/4m3YdaT 🔬

Join us live TODAY at 1 p.m. ET for a conversation with BrightFocus Foundation Scientific Affairs teammates Dr. Diane Bovenkamp and Dr. Sharyn Rossi as they discuss this year's Macular Degeneration Research bold and innovative projects. To tune in, visit: https://bit.ly/4mAxIdG.

A next-generation blood test could personalize Alzheimer's treatment by revealing disease progression—not just diagnosis. BrightFocus Foundation grant recipient, Dr. Gemma Salvadó, helped validate this test to identify ideal candidates for anti-amyloid therapies. 🔬 Full story ⬇️

📢 #BreakingNews: The FDA has approved an at-home version of Leqembi, the first anti-amyloid therapy individuals can self-administer with a weekly injection. This new option makes treatment more convenient for families & continues to target harmful brain plaques that drive Alzheimer’s. Read more. ⤵️

What an inspiring keynote – a fascinating presentation with powerful insights and an engaging Q&A! Moderator: Diane Bovenkamp @dianebovenkamp.bsky.social Keynote speaker: Renzo Mancuso @mancusorenzo.bsky.social 'Impact of #genetic risk in the biology of #microglia in #neurodegeneration'

BrightFocus Foundation recently awarded $3.8 million to researchers advancing bold ideas to understand, prevent, and treat macular degeneration worldwide. Join @dianebovenkamp.bsky.social and Sharyn Rossi, PhD as they discuss this year's innovative projects. Live on 8/27 at 1 pm ET: bit.ly/3UBbzj0

So excited to be personally moderating this discussion in an hour and a half. If you haven’t registered, no worries, listen live or check back in 2 weeks for transcript and recording on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc. https://www.brightfocus.org/macular/resource-search/macular-chats/

Live from #AAIC25 in Toronto! Our team is connecting with partners, community advocates, and leading Alzheimer's researchers—including many of our funded scientists. Every connection brings us closer to a #MindSightCure. 🧠 🔬 💪

Cleaning out my office. This is surprisingly difficult. I’ve loved the @moraneyecenter.bsky.social and all the people here (well, most of them) and owe my career to this place and its former chair, Randall Olson. Looking forward to continuing our science at @pittdeptofmed.bsky.social.

Proud @brightfocus.bsky.social is partnering w funders @mtecsc.bsky.social, @curealzheimersfund.bsky.social to accelerate understanding & future preventions of #TBI & complications #Alzheimers & #dementias. Civilians (incl. #NCAA athletes) & military have similar risks. Link below to our paper.

Don’t miss this @ismnd.bsky.social webinar on Monday, August 11 at 10 am Eastern! I’ll be moderating discussions on a highly anticipated presentation by Dr. @petetheteapot.bsky.social Pete Williams, who is a fresh FY25 @brightfocus.bsky.social National Glaucoma Research grantee! See you there.

Phenomenal #BaltimoreCameraClub inaugural photo-culturalism panel discussion on Thursday. Kudos to Christophe Casamassima for organizing. Thanks to facilitator Teri Henderson & panelists, Joe Giordano, Chuck Patch & Micah E. Wood & store Greedy Reads, for providing a selection of books for purchase.

Karolinska is looking for 20 (!!) assistant professors and offering 6 year appointments with ~1M USD startup packages. ki.se/en/about-ki/...

All set. #BaltimoreCameraClub’s Photo-Culturalism panel w facilitator Teri Henderson & panelists Devin Allen, Joe Giordano, Chuck Patch, & Micah E. Wood! In person/zoom. Kudos to organizer Christophe Casamassima! 5800 Cottonworth Ave. Baltimore, MD 21209 8 pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87190375181

Group photo taken today of attendees at the @faseborg.bsky.social 2025 Biology and Chemistry of Vision meeting. Here are some photos I took while the shoot was taking place.

As President of the Baltimore Camera Club, I’d like to invite you to attend in person (or on zoom) our first annual Photo-Culturalism Panel, led by Teri Henderson of the Baltimore Beat and featuring photographers Devin Allen, Joe Giordano, Chuck Patch, and Micah E. Wood. Info & bios attached.

Attending the @faseborg.bsky.social Biology and Chemistry of Vision conference in MA. So proud to be funding some of the innovators presenting their work. Looking forward to panel discussion of vision funding tomorrow. https://events.faseb.org/event/biology-chemistry-vision/home

On Thursday, May 22, we had our last Digital Competition for the 2024-2025 year. Kudos to the winners: https://www.baltimorecameraclub.org/Competitions/CompetitionResults.aspx These photos from the event, give you an idea of the judging ‘arena.’ See you next week online for the ‘Battle RAW-Yal.’

Don’t Miss Out! Submit your abstract before NEXT TUESDAY MAY 27th to ISER/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium and be part of an inspiring research community. At least 30 TRAVEL FELLOWSHIPS guaranteed. Can’t get it if you don’t apply! Submission: https://iserbrightfocusglaucoma.org/abstract-submission/

May 1, we had a phenomenal Master Class on Studio Portrait Photography from #BaltimoreCameraClub’s Board member, Kenneth A. Epps Sr, Cr. Photog, A.F.Ph., & owner of E-magination Photography Studio (kennyeppsphotography.com). Thanks, Kenny, you are a most generous teacher and mentor.

I’d argue that while vision research would be de-emphasized on the whole, areas of work at the front of the eye which is not neuroscience per se, like aqueous outflow and corneal work would be even more harmed. So what you say? Glaucoma and myopia, the two leading causes of blindness would suffer.

So shocking. Please read this obituary of Hilari, Bryan’s wife of nearly 30 years. Feel free to reach out to him @bwjones.bsky.social.