(openPR) - Past Fundraising Leads to Major Breakthroughs in Ophthalmology Research and Better Screening

(Dallas, Texas) January 31, 2012 – The Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern and Prevent Blindness Texas are proud to announce the date of the 12th annual black tie fundraising gala, Eye Ball 2012 - A Night For Sight.

The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25th at 7 pm and will feature a cocktail party, seated dinner, live music from the Brent Van Sickle orchestra and an evening that concludes with after-dinner coffee. Tickets are $300, $500, or $1000 each, with tables ranging from $3,000 to $25,000.

“We are eternally grateful to our loyal supporters because the funds raised at past events have made a significant contribution to major research breakthroughs in the field of overall eye health and blindness prevention,” says Dr. James P. McCulley, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern.

The nearly $3 million raised from previous Eye Ball galas has been used to fund critical research at UT Southwestern as well as fund free public education and vision screening programs hosted by Prevent Blindness Texas.

UT Southwestern treats patients who suffer from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys clear vision and makes tasks including reading and driving difficult. More than 13 million Americans over the age of 40 have some level of the disease, and the number of patients is expected to triple over the next two decades.

Though there is no cure for AMD as of yet, UT Southwestern faculty has made major research steps thanks to funds raised by the annual Eye Ball. Some of the major achievements include:

• Identified a gene associated with an increased risk for developing AMD

• The discovery that chronic inflammation significantly contributes to dry eye disease, which decreases the quality of life for millions of people, especially the elderly and women. Research is now moving toward effective treatments for this debilitating condition.

• The identification of contaminated contact lens solutions as a source of Acanthamoeba, an organism that can cause a devastating and difficult-to-treat corneal infection in contact lens wearers. UT Southwestern researchers developed a successful treatment regimen.

• Major strides in the understanding and prevention of corneal transplantation rejection.

• Assistance with FDA approval of photo-refractive keratotomy (PRK) and LASIK.

• Contributions in the development of hyper-oxygen contact lenses, now a standard of care

• Participation in dozens of industry clinical trials that have resulted in bringing many important drugs and treatments to market

• Participation in the development of therapies for lid and ocular surface disease, e.g. anti-evaporative artificial tears, as well as the role of oral omega-3 fatty acid supplements in therapy

• Creation of a mobile phone app developed in close collaboration with local computer scientists, visual functional psychiatrists and wireless engineers that can monitor vision changes in patients diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease right in their own homes. The National Eye Institute (National Institutes of Health) awarded UT Southwestern a SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) to study the usability and reliability of this device to monitor visual function of patients suffering from AMD and diabetic retinopathy, among other eye diseases. With phase one complete, a phase two part of the study will be underway.

“Together we have made incredible breakthroughs thanks to this wonderful charity event. Our goal is to be able to continue advancing our knowledge and understanding of eye disease, and building on our discoveries so we can create new ways to prevent and treat blindness and other debilitating eye conditions,” said Stephanie Melson, regional director, Prevent Blindness Texas.

This year’s chairs include:
• Mrs. Trammell Crow, Honorary Chair
• Lucy and Henry Billingsley, Ball Chairmen
• Dave Johns, Corporate Chairman

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Stephanie Melson at 972-533-7409.

About Prevent Blindness Texas, Dallas Branch
Focused on providing a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness Texas touches the lives of thousands of Texans through our sight-saving programs and services through our network of volunteers and offices located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Midland and San Antonio. The mission of Prevent Blindness Texas is to prevent blindness, preserve sight, and enhance and extend the quality of vision life for all Texans.

Established as a non-profit, voluntary health agency in 1956 and incorporated in 1965, Prevent Blindness Texas has been directly responsible for saving the sight and enhancing the visual quality of life for thousands of Texans.

About UT Southwestern’s Department of Ophthalmology
The Department of Ophthalmology’s faculty of clinicians and scientists employ pioneering research to deliver expert medical and surgical care to patients. Today it treats more than 100,000 patients per year at its outpatient clinical practices, and performs more than 7,000 vision-saving surgical procedures per year. Its physicians and scientists are recognized internationally for their contributions to the field of ophthalmology.

UT Southwestern’s eye specialists are dedicated to improving treatment of eye disease and preventing blindness. They also treat patients threatened by systemic disease, or who have eye injuries, in addition to performing vision-corrective procedures such as LASIK and other presbyopic-correcting surgeries.

Amy Powers
amy@powerpublicrelations.com
214.693.2146