See the Horizon and Beyond at Glaucoma 360

Clinicians who know what glaucoma patients want and need…. Pioneering scientists on the cusp of transformative discoveries …. Entrepreneurs with ideas that could become the next care breakthrough … Venture capitalists and industry leaders in search of game-changing investments …  Philanthropists dedicated to supporting a cure …  These are just some of the participants that make Glaucoma 360 a not-to-be-missed event for anyone who envisions greater possibilities for glaucoma patients — from improved diagnostics to more targeted treatments to cures.

It all unfolds over the course of three days at San Francisco’s iconic Westin St. Francis hotel, with a festive Gala on day one, an innovators’ incubator on day two, and informative continuing medical education programs on day three.

This will be the 14^th year for an event that has become an engine for innovation and a magnet for the glaucoma care community, year after year. “The ‘research’ in Glaucoma Research Foundation motivates everything this organization does. But research takes time, and we wanted to address patients’ needs more immediately,” says Adrienne Graves, PhD, who co-founded the event along with Andrew Iwach, MD, executive director for Glaucoma Center of San Francisco. “Engaging the entire glaucoma community and showcasing innovators is a great way to do that,” says Dr. Graves.

“There simply is no other event like Glaucoma 360 for anyone interested in emerging therapies and ideas they can take back to their clinical practice,” adds Dr. Iwach. “Come for the program that intrigues you most and take advantage of your San Francisco visit by experiencing the full 360.”

Highlights of this year’s New Horizons Forum, on day two, include the Drs. Henry and Frederick Sutro Memorial Lecture by Carla Siegfried, MD, professor of ophthalmology at Washington University School of Medicine and president of the American Glaucoma Society.  An accomplished ophthalmologist, trailblazing surgeon, and mentor, Dr. Siegfried will address Glaucoma Racial Disparities: Applying Innovation from Bench to Clinic to Community.

“Individuals of African descent are at higher risk of developing glaucoma at a younger age and are more likely to lose vision compared to those of European descent,” says Dr. Siegfried. “Social determinants of health — health literacy, access to care, discrimination in medical research — play an important role in this risk. But our research has also identified basic physiological differences in oxygen metabolism and oxidative stress in the aqueous outflow system that could play a role in glaucoma. New Horizons provides a unique opportunity to explore all these facets and work together toward innovative solutions.”

New Horizons will also include an insightful presentation on how artificial intelligence is transforming glaucoma diagnosis and management, led by Felipe A. Medeiros, MD, PhD, of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and Inder Paul Singh, MD, president of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha. “We’ll discuss how AI tools are expanding access to care in low-resource settings and bridging global disparities,” says Dr. Medeiros. “We’ll also look at how AI is being applied in screening for systemic diseases using eye imaging, as well as in improving clinical trial designs for investigating new glaucoma treatments.”

Another timely New Horizons session will be facilitated by glaucoma specialist Yvonne Ou, MD, Associate Professor, UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, and Shane Liddelow, PhD, Associate Professor in the departments of Ophthalmology and of Neuroscience and Physiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Their session, Beyond IOP: Targeting Neuroprotection and Vision Restoration, will explore what Dr. Ou calls “the holy grail for glaucoma care.” “We will discuss neuroprotection from the perspective of supplements and small molecules, and vision restoration efforts ranging from stem cell approaches to whole eye transplantation,” she says. Dr. Liddelow will share insights from his work to understand the micro-environment in which vision neurons operate, including trials of a peptide-based drug that could minimize inflammation from neurodegenerative diseases.  “Small cells like astrocytes play a role in the health or disfunction of neurons,” he says. “I’m excited to let clinicians and patients know that, with the potential to restore and improve vision by modulating the cellular environment, there’s new hope on the horizon.”

Glaucoma 360’s last day is dedicated to continuing medical education that sends ophthalmologists and optometrists back to their practices prepared to implement new strategies in glaucoma care. But practical knowledge isn’t the only benefit practitioners can take home. Clinicians who come to Glaucoma 360 return inspired by all the possibilities on and beyond the immediate horizon, and able to bring hope to their patients.

A highlight of each three-day Glaucoma 360 event, the Annual Gala is a benefit dinner celebrating the scientists, advisors, donors, and volunteers who collaborate to advance the field of vision care and bring us closer to curing glaucoma and restoring vision.

In 2025, the Gala will honor luminaries who need little introduction. Exceptional physician, researcher, inventor, and technology developer Sean Ianchulev, MD, MPH, will receive the Catalyst Award. Dr. Ianchulev’s achievements as an eye surgeon, researcher, innovator, entrepreneur, and humanitarian make him an inspiration to peers and patients and a true catalyst for next-generation glaucoma care. The Gala will honor Michael Belkin, MA, MD, with Glaucoma 360’s Visionary Award. A legend in vision science and care, Dr. Belkin championed several innovations that have transformed glaucoma management.  This year’s President’s Award, honoring bold philanthropy, will shine a spotlight on Delta Gamma, a woman’s fraternal organization that volunteers, supports, and advocates for the visually impaired community. 

Source: Glaucoma Today