Dubai sight-loss charity brings world leaders in research for a cure to EOC 2008

The Emirates Ophthalmology Conference 2008 is being held between 20-22 November at Dubai Festival City and is organized by the Emirates Ophthalmic Society (EMAOS) in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Foresight is honoured to be a guest sponsor of this event as a contributor to retinal research projects and a member of Retina International, has strong links with leading experts. The 3 eminent professionals are Professor Robin Ali, Professor Charlotte Remee and Dr Andrew Webster.

Professor Robin Ali's address will focus on his recent ground breaking developments with human clinical trials in gene therapy indicating that treatment for the defects in gene RPE65 causing Leber congentinal amaurosis can be safe and effective. This work made headlines around the world when the results were published earlier this year. The evidence suggests that these results justify support for the development of gene therapies for a wide range of eye disorders bringing new hope to millions of people.

Commenting on the event and his participation, Professor Robin Ali, Professor of Human Molecular Genetics, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, said: "This is a great opportunity to make links with ophthalmologists and allied professionals in the Middle East as well to let those in the region with inherited retinal dystrophies know about our programme of work to develop new treatments. I would like to thank Foresight for their support for our work."

Dr. Andrew Webster - Consultant Ophthalmologist, University Senior Lecturer, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology is presenting "The spectrum of genetic and clinical variation in inherited human retinal disease". Prof. Charlotte Reme - Professor of Ophthalmology, Lab of Retinal Cell Biology, University of Zurich will talk about her findings on Bright light effects in the Retina: From acute injury to inflammatory reactions.

Foresight's panel will also include Christina Fasser, President of Retina International. Christina has a unique and valuable view from the patients' perspective as she has lost her sight to the hereditary eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Sight loss has a devastating effect on people's lives and until recently there was no hope for people with degenerative diseases of the retina. Supporters in the U.A.E. have helped Foresight to fund 5 cutting edge research projects.

Blindness is thought to be the biggest cause of disability in the U.A.E. and hereditary eye disease is the foremost cause of blindness in children here. "I know what it is like to live with sight loss and no hope. Often these cruel diseases affect several members of a family," said Katy Newitt, Chairwoman of Foresight who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, "There is an urgency to fund more research so that cures can be found within our lifetime."