THE GLAUCOMA

FOUNDATION

NEWSLETTER

S P R I N G 2 0 0 8

It’s especially important forglaucoma patients to follow-through with their treatment plans –even while traveling. Here’s achecklist from The GlaucomaFoundation to help you prepare fora safe and healthy trip:

C Make a list of allmedications you normallyuse, noting eachprescription dosage, themedication’s trade name aswell as the generic nameof the drug. Generic namesare especially important ifyou are traveling out ofthe country where drugmakers may use differentnames from those in theUnited States.

C Bring a sufficient supplyof each medication for thelength of your trip and talk toyour doctor in advance aboutgetting extra prescriptions just to besafe.

C Pack your medications in theiroriginal drugstore containers ratherthan in pill cases or other unlabeledbottles.

C Never pack your medications inchecked baggage which can be lostor stolen. Put them in your carry-onbag and always keep that with you.

C Store all medications in a dark,cool area – for example, among orinside clothing.

C Start your trip with new refills ofyour medications. Glaucoma patientswho refrigerate their eye drops outof choice rather than necessityshould remember that refrigeratorsare uncommon in hotels. Beginninga new bottle will prevent you from

altering the regulartemperature of an openmedication.

C If you’re crossing severaltime zones, ask your doctorhow you should take yourmedication. Many doctorsrecommend adapting yourschedule to the local time

at your destinationand not

worryingabout amisseddosage dueto timechanges. Thiscan simplifyyour regimenduring yourstay as wellas upon your

return.

And here area few final

eye care traveltips:

C Traveling on a plane will notaffect your eye pressure (IOP) – it

is a controlled atmosphere andcompensates for changes in altitude.But open medication bottlescarefully after you’ve landed.

C The air on airplanes is very dry. Ifyou wear contact lenses, frequentlyapply rewetting solution.

Bon Voyage!

Are Your Rx’s Ready forSummertimeTravel?

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Dear Friends:

The opportunity to participate in the first-ever World Glaucoma Day onMarch 6 was exhilarating. There is no question that the entire experiencewas productive for The Glaucoma Foundation as well as for the broaderglaucoma community.

A joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association and the WorldGlaucoma Patient Association, World Glaucoma Day’s goal was to increaseawareness of the disease through hundreds of activities planned around theworld. Indeed, more than 600 educational and screening events took placefrom Buenos Aires, Argentina to as far away as Gulistan, Uzbekistan.

In the United States, in addition to local screenings and patient supportactivities, there was a determined focus on visiting Capitol Hill offices inWashington, D.C. The purpose was to educate federal lawmakers and theirstaff members about the high incidence of glaucoma, the need for earlydetection and treatment and most critically, increased governmental fundingof vision research. To highlight the message about early diagnosis andtreatment, Congressional staff members participated in a screening event. Asyou will read, we anticipate positive reverberations from these and the othermeetings that transpired.

We are also delighted to report that during that same week, The GlaucomaFoundation, along with the Glaucoma Research Foundation, were honoredby each receiving the prestigious American Glaucoma Society’s President’sAward. This honor recognizes the important research and educational workthat comprise the mission of TGF. We are pleased to share this award withyou, our valued friends and generous donors, who make our programspossible.

Our efforts simply could not be achieved without the support of so manyindividuals. Thanks to your ongoing generosity, we will be allowed tocontinue our efforts to eliminate preventable blindness from glaucoma. Weextend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Scott R. ChristensenPresidentChief Executive Officer

THE GLAUCOMA FOUNDATIONBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gregory K. Harmon, MDChairman of the Board

Joseph M. LaMottaChairman Emeritus

Robert Ritch, MDMedical Director, Vice President & SecretaryProfessor & Chief, Glaucoma ServiceThe New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

William C. Baker

Stephen D. Barkin

Joseph M. CohenChairmanJ.M. Cohen & Company

Peter J. Crowley

David G. CushmanSenior Vice President/Regional ManagerOrvis/Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc.

Donald Engel

David FellowsPresident, Vision Care New VenturesVistakon

Murray Fingeret, ODChief, Optometry SectionSt. Albans VA Medical Center

Ilene Giaquinta

Debora K. Grobman

Barbara W. Hearst

Chuck F.V. ImhofManaging Director, Greater NY AreaAmerican Airlines, Inc.

Gerald Kaiser, Esq.

Paul L. Kaufman, MDProfessor of Ophthalmology & Visual SciencesDirector, Glaucoma ServiceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison

Theodore Krupin, MDProfessor of OphthalmologyNorthwestern University Medical School

Susan LaVentureExecutive DirectorNational Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments

Martin R. LewisMartin R. Lewis Associates

Jeffrey M. Liebmann, MDClinical Professor of OphthalmologyDirector, Glaucoma ServiceManhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Maurice H. Luntz, MDEmeritus Clinical ProfessorThe Mount Sinai School of MedicineEmeritus Director Glaucoma ServiceManhattan, Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital

Kenneth Mortenson

Susan A. Murphy

Sheldon M. Siegel

James C. Tsai, MDProfessor & ChairmanDepartment of Ophthalmology & Visual ScienceYale School of Medicine

Mary Jane Voelker

Irving Wolbrom

Alcon Laboratories, Inc.Kevin J. BuehlerSenior Vice PresidentUS Chief Marketing Officer

Allergan, Inc.Julian GangolliCorporate Vice PresidentPresident, North American Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer, Inc.Dennis KowalskiDirector/Team Leader – US MarketingOphthalmic & Endocrine Care

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Scott R. Christensen

Letter from the President

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Doctor, I Have a Question.

??DIHAQ

Questions answered by:Dr. James TsaiRobert R. Young Professor and ChairDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at Yale University School of Medicine

Should glaucoma patients stopparticipating in yoga, boxing,Pilates, kickboxing or otherrigorous fitness classes oncediagnosed? It is generally recommended that upside-down(inverted) yoga positions, scuba diving andbungee jumping be avoided as these activitiesmay cause an increase in IOP. However, if youare concerned about a particular yoga positionor exercise class you are taking, please consultyour ophthalmologist or general practitionerbefore starting any new fitness routines.

My ophthalmologist has informedme that I am a “glaucoma suspect.”How come I wasn’t prescribed eyedrops?A “glaucoma suspect” is typically a person withone or more risk factors (e.g. elevated IOP,family history) that may lead to thedevelopment of glaucoma while not currentlyhaving any definite signs of glaucomatousdamage (i.e. optic nerve damage and/or visual

field loss). Your ophthalmologist may wish tofollow you without treatment until evidence ofglaucoma is present. Once glaucoma isconfirmed, your doctor will then decide on theappropriate course of action (including theinstitution of IOP lowering therapy).

How come the Xalatan drops Ireceive from the pharmacy arestored in the refrigerator but thesamples from my doctor are notrefrigerated?

The expiration date (i.e. shelf life beforeopening) determines whether refrigeration isrequired. It is anticipated that the shelf life forthe Xalatan drops at the pharmacy will belonger than that for the sample bottlesprovided by your doctor (and thus refrigerationis suggested for the pharmacy). At home, if youhave only one bottle that you are using, it isnot necessary to keep it refrigerated. If youhave more than one Xalatan bottle on hand, itis a good idea to store the unopenedprescriptions in the refrigerator until usage.

Ting Xie, Ph.D., Investigator at the StowersInstitute for Medical Research in Kansas City,MO, has joined TGF’s Scientific Advisory Board.

His research focus is on the genetic andmolecular analysis of stem cell regulation anddevelopment in Drosophila and mice. Dr. Xiejoined the Stowers Institute after completing aHoward Hughes Medical Institute postdoctoralfellowship at the Carnegie Institution ofWashington. He received his Ph.D. from theJoint Graduate Program in Molecular Biology

and Biochemistry of Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry ofNew Jersey.

Members of the SAB include many of the mostrespected glaucoma clinicians and researchers.In addition to shaping TGF’s scientific messageto the public, many serve on the committeethat reviews research applications and makesrecommendations to The Foundation’s Boardof Directors for funding approval.

New Scientific Advisory Board Member

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World Glaucoma Day

March 6 marked the first observance of WorldGlaucoma Day, a joint global initiative of theWorld Glaucoma Association and the WorldGlaucoma Patient Association.

“The day was planned as a truly internationalobservance – with the sum total of localawareness and educational events making areal impact in raising the awareness ofglaucoma worldwide,” said Scott Christensen,TGF President as well as President of the WorldGlaucoma Patient Association.

While early detection is the key to treating andhalting the effects of glaucoma, currentworldwide estimates reveal that more than 50percent of glaucoma sufferers in developedcountries are unaware they have the disease.This number can climb as high as 90 percent inmany undeveloped nations.

“Because glaucoma strikes so silently andgradually, it's absolutely crucial to educatepeople about the value of early detection,"said Dr. Robert Ritch, The Foundation’s MedicalDirector and co-founder of the WorldGlaucoma Patient Association. "Individuals inour country need to be much more vigilantabout glaucoma, especially if they fall into oneof the higher risk groups," he added.

In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloombergmarked the observance by issuing a procla-mation, which said: “Drawing on the collectivestrength of patient support groups, medicalprofessionals, and glaucoma institutions acrossthe globe, World Glaucoma Day will helpcountless individuals avoid the preventablevision loss that arises from this prevalentdisease. I commend the World GlaucomaAssociation and the World Glaucoma PatientAssociation for initiating this crucial publicawareness campaign."

Advocacy forIncreased FederalFunding Advocacy Day was one of several events thattook place in the nation’s capital on WorldGlaucoma Day. Physicians and others, includingTGF’s Scott Christensen, made the rounds ofnearly 100 Capitol Hill offices to educatemembers of Congress and their staffs aboutthe incidence of glaucoma and the need forincreased vision research funding.

They urged members to support a 6.6 percentincrease in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 funding for theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) and theNational Eye Institute (NEI).

This increase would result in NEI funding of$711 million, an approximate $44 millionincrease over FY2008, and NIH funding of $31million, $1.9 million over the net program levelof $29.2 million in FY 2008.

Advocates pointed out that a delay in theability of NEI to provide grants jeopardizes thecontinuity of research at a time when eyedisease and vision impairment are major publichealth problems growing exponentially due to:an aging population, a disproportionateincidence in minority populations, and as aresult of other chronic diseases, such as diabeticeye disease. The FY2008 budget of $667 millionis less than one percent of the $68 billionannual cost of eye disease and visionimpairment.

Awarding researchers seed grants forinnovative projects has always been a primarycomponent of The Glaucoma Foundation’sprogram. Traditionally, preliminary data fromthese cutting-edge investigations have beenused to support proposals for larger grants toentities such as the NEI.

But the purchasing power of the NIH/NEI hasbeen eroded by almost 18 percent over thepast five funding cycles, says Scott Christensen.

News from the Glaucoma Community

5

The funding increase requested represents thecurrent biomedical inflation rate of 3.6 percent,plus a 3 percent increase to begin restoring theNIH/NEI purchasing power.

“We have been very hopeful that our congres-sional visits would have a positive impact onfunding levels, so that vital research to findnew treatments and eventually a cure forglaucoma can be intensified,” said Mr.Christensen at the time.

In recent weeks, both the House and Senatehave acted on a FY 2009 Budget Resolution.Congressional efforts to support a 2009 NIHfunding increase include a bipartisan Houseletter to Appropriations leaders signed by 179members, as well as an amendment to theSenate Budget Resolution, approved by a voteof 95-4, to increase NIH funding.

“Legislative and ongoing advocacy efforts willcontinue throughout this calendar year,” saysScott Christensen. “Our goal is a bill with anNIH increase that both matches inflation andbegins to restore NIH’s purchasing power.”

Landmark MeetingAddresses ClinicalTrial Issues On March 13 and 14, many key parties were atthe table when the National Eye Institute (NEI)and the United States Food and DrugAdministration (FDA)/Center for DrugEvaluation and Research held a GlaucomaClinical Drug Trial Design and EndpointsSymposium that engaged glaucoma investi-gators and clinicians in an important dialogue.

The symposium, held on the campus of theNational Institutes of Health’s Bethesda

campus, focused partly on how results fromresearch studies can apply to clinical trials thatare used to support the approval of new drugs,devices, diagnostic technologies, and noveltherapies for glaucoma.

“It was an unprecedented collaborativemeeting that hopefully set the stage forbringing new therapies to patients morequickly in the future,” said TGF Board Member,Jeffrey Liebmann, M.D., who was a speaker.

Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., who served asProgram Co-Chair along with Paul Kaufman,M.D, also a member of The Foundation’s Board,agreed that “the glaucoma community madeconsiderable progress,” particularly in whatthey heard from the FDA regarding thepossibility of new endpoints in glaucomaclinical trials that may be used to supportapprovals of the next generation of diagnosticand therapeutic products.

FDA-approved drug and device therapies forglaucoma have focused on reducing intraocularpressure (IOP). But advances in ocular imagingtechnologies today enable researchers to betterdetect structural changes in the nerve fiberlayer of the retina and the contours of theoptic nerve head.

Currently, in clinical trials submitted to the FDA,such structural changes must also show a highcorrelation with functional changes in vision toassure the clinical significance of a new therapy.But in glaucoma, structural and functionalchange may not occur in concert. Early diseasemay be detected primarily by observablestructural change; end stage by functionalchange. Much of the meeting’s discussionfocused on how these new structural endpoints– rather than IOP – are incorporated intoclinical trials.

The hope is that the regulatory process will beflexible to reflect this disparity – especiallywhen considering a new class of neuropro-tective drugs that could lessen damage to theoptic nerve before it is manifested in visualfunctional change.

Upcoming GlaucomaSupport and EducationGroup Meetings:N e w Y o r k C i t y C h a p t e rDate: Saturday, May 17, 2008

Topic: Cataract Surgery for theGlaucoma Patient

Speaker: Adriana Gonzalez, M.D.

Location: New York Eye and Ear Infirmary310 East 14th Street, NYC

Time: 11:00am

Date: Saturday, June 21, 2008

Topic: Reduced Vision? No Problem WhenYou Learn Coping Skills!

Speaker: Tom McCarville, Blind Rehabilitation Teacher

Location: New York Eye and Ear Infirmary310 East 14th Street, NYC

Time: 11:00am

N e w E n g l a n d C h a p t e rDate: Saturday, June 14, 2008

Topic: What Your Doctors Learn fromStudying Large Groups of Glaucoma Patients

Speaker: Louis Pasquale, M.D., Co-Director,MEEI Glaucoma Service

Location: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary243 Charles Street, Boston, MA

Time: 10:00am

RSVP Required for The New England ChapterMeeting Only– 212.285.0080

—

For more information please call TGF at 212.285.0080

CHAPTERC O R N E R

New EnglandChapter UpdateOn Saturday, April 5th, the New EnglandChapter of The Glaucoma Foundation heldits initial lecture for 2008 at theMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary(MEEI). The guest speaker was GregoryHarmon, M.D., Chairman of the Board ofThe Glaucoma Foundation. He firstcommented on his book “What YourDoctor May Not Tell You AboutGlaucoma,” and then addressed at lengththe latest glaucoma treatments and recentadvances in glaucoma research.

The overflowing and extremely attentiveaudience in the Infirmary Board Roomconsisted of glaucoma patients, theirfamilies, practicing clinicians and medicalstudents. Following the presentation, anumber of patients took the opportunityto share their experiences and to ask Dr.Harmon questions. Everyone found thelecture to be informative and thediscussion and interaction afterwards quitevaluable.

The next meeting of the New EnglandChapter will again be at the MassachusettsEye and Ear Infirmary, on Saturday, June14th, when Dr. Louis Pasquale, Co-Directorof the Glaucoma Service, at MEEI, willspeak to the topic: “What Doctors Learnfrom Studying Large Groups of GlaucomaPatients.”

Anyone who is interested in learning moreabout the New England Chapter shouldcontact Chapter President, CatherineDuffek, at 617.797.6476 orcduffek@glaucomafoundation.org.

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WE NEEDY O U R S U P P O R T

Yes, I support The Glaucoma Foundation’s work in

pursuit of new treatments and cures for glaucoma.Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of:

■■ $25 ■■ $50 ■■ $100 ■■ $250 ■■ $500

■■ $1000 ■■ Other $__________

Please make checks payable to: The Glaucoma Foundation.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

PHONE

EMAIL

CREDIT CARD GIFT

Gifts may be made with Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

CREDIT CARD #

EXPIRATION

SIGNATURE

■■ Please do not share my name with other organizations.*

The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700 • New York, NY 10038

212.285.0080

* In order to locate additional supporters, The Foundation occasionally trades mailing lists with other non-profit organizations.Checking this box will ensure that The Glaucoma Foundation never trades your address. [ 46-2008]

We are always interested in your experiences as a

glaucoma patient or glaucoma suspect, or as a

family member, caregiver or friend of a patient.

So, from time to time we will ask you a few simple

questions on such subjects as awareness,

compliance, counsel from physicians, etc. Your

answers will help us carry forward our educational

initiatives.

1. I am a glaucoma patient.............. ■■ yes ■■ no

2. I am a glaucoma suspect.............. ■■ yes ■■ no

3. I do not have glaucoma............... ■■

4. My age is: ■■ under 40 ■■ 41-50 ■■ 51-60 ■■ over 61

5. How did you first learn about the need toget tested for glaucoma?

■■ General Physician ■■ Family Member■■ Friend ■■ Other_____________________

6. Does your general physician discuss eyecare with you? ............................. ■■ yes ■■ no

7. Has your general physician reminded youto get your eyes examined? ....... ■■ yes ■■ no

YOURANSWERS

P L E A S E !

✄

Please send your answers to:The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700

New York, NY 10038.

If you prefer, complete the survey on our website –

www.glaucomafoundation.orgor email your answers to

survey@glaucomafoundation.org

Glaucoma and PregnancyWhat You Should Know

It’s important for a woman withglaucoma to work in close unison withher ophthalmologist and her OB/GYNwhen she is thinking about having afamily. Making a plan prior toconception is the best plan of action.By discussing her plans to becomepregnant with her doctors, aconcerted effort can be made toachieve intraocular pressure (IOP)control on minimal or no medications,minimizing risk to the fetus whilesafeguarding the eye.

The biggest risk to the fetus is duringthe first trimester of pregnancy.Because a woman may not know sheis pregnant during these first weeks, itis vital that she meet with her doctorsto discuss a plan before she conceives.

Some medications have shownadverse fetal effects in animals. Whilethere have been no large scalecontrolled trials, there is accumulatedexperience, so ophthalmologists treateach case individually with the goal ofminimizing risks to the fetus.

The goal is to minimize drug exposureto the fetus throughout thepregnancy, especially during the firsttrimester. The treating ophthal-mologist must weigh the potential riskto the mother's vision against the riskto the fetus. Some patients are able todiscontinue all glaucoma medicationsfor the first 12 weeks. This might bepossible, for example, if a patient is aglaucoma suspect or has earlyglaucoma with limited optic nervedamage and modestly elevated IOP.Frequent monitoring of the eyes is thekey.

In other cases, going off glaucomamedications during pregnancy is notpossible, for example if a patient hassubstantial optic nerve damage orextremely elevated IOP levels and isnot able to tolerate uncontrolled IOPeven for a short period of time. Inthese cases, the physician would try toprescribe the fewest possiblemedications, thoughtfully selectedand dosed to minimize risks to thefetus. Additionally, the expectantmother should be sure to use thenasolacrimal occlusion (NLO)technique to minimize the amount ofmedication that enters the bloodstream. (This technique isrecommended for all glaucomapatients. When administering the eyedrop, press your index finger firmly inthe nasal corner of the eye, holdingyour finger there for 1-2 minutes afterthe drop has been instilled.)

Sometimes, surgery, such as lasertrabeculoplasty, may be the bestoption for patients who cannotachieve an acceptable IOP level withminimal or no glaucoma medications.If possible, surgical procedures tocontrol the IOP are best performedprior to conceiving so that the IOPlevel can be controlled and stablethroughout the entire pregnancy,especially the first trimester. Ifnecessary, laser trabeculoplasty can beperformed during pregnancy.Incisional surgery, such astrabeculectomy, is safest prior toconception. If surgery is requiredduring pregnancy, trabeculectomy isprobably safest in the secondtrimester. In such surgical cases, topicalor local anesthetic is preferred.

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There is no datasuggesting problemswith labor and deliveryof a newborn. Periods ofextreme straining duringdelivery may raise IOP,but this is very brief.Nursing must beconsidered as well, andwarrants a discussionbetween the patient,ophthalmologist and thebaby’s pediatrician. Justas medications may enterthe circulation of anunborn fetus when thepregnant woman usesglaucoma eye drops,these medications mayalso be secreted into herbreast milk whennursing. Decisions onglaucoma treatmentsduring the nursingperiod must be carefullyconsidered to determinewhat plan is safest forboth mother and baby.

And finally, manymothers ask if theirglaucoma puts their childat risk for developing thedisease. Family history isa significant risk factorfor glaucoma. Once achild is old enough to sitstill for an eyeexamination, the childshould get tested, andshould be retested atperiodic intervalsthereafter. As the childages, the frequency ofeye exams may need toincrease. Be sure to letyour child's pediatricianknow that you haveglaucoma.

American GlaucomaSociety Honors The Glaucoma FoundationThe Glaucoma Foundation and the Glaucoma Research Foundationwere the 2008 recipients of the American Glaucoma Society’s (AGS)President’s Award. AGS President, Robert Weinreb, M.D., presentedthe award to Scott R. Christensen, President and CEO of TheGlaucoma Foundation, at the Society’s Annual Meeting held inWashington, D.C. on March 7, the day following World GlaucomaDay.

The American Glaucoma Society supports glaucoma specialists andscientists through the advancement of education and research.Recipients of the annual AGS President’s Award are chosen by theAGS President and approved by its Executive Committee for“significant contributions to the glaucoma community…” In previousyears, distinguished individuals in the field have received thisprestigious award. This is the first year that an organization has beenso honored with the President’s Award.

“We are delighted that The Glaucoma Foundation has beenrecognized for our ongoing efforts in the areas of glaucoma researchand education,” says Scott Christensen. “We understand the urgencyof making glaucoma research everyone’s top priority if we are tounlock the mysteries of this disease. And we are committed toreaching out at home and globally to raise awareness about thisdisease that afflicts 67 million people around the world.”

The 15th Annual Think TankSeptember 19-20, 2008

Grand Hyatt New York, NY

22nd Annual Black + White BallDecember 3, 2008

The Pierre HotelNew York, NY

UPCOMING EVENTS

For more information on either event contactThe Glaucoma Foundation at 212.285.0080

NON PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 60

FARMINGDALE, NY11735

A copy of The Glaucoma Foundation’s annual financial report may be obtained upon request by writing to The Foundation at 8o Maiden Lane, Suite 700, New York, NY 10038 or by residents of the states listed below from the appropriate state agency.Florida: A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the State .Registration Number - CH7263. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, orrecommendation by the State. Maryland: Information filed under the Maryland Charitable Organizations Laws can be obtained for the cost of postage and copies from the Office of the Maryland Secretary of State, Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401 or bycalling 410-974-5534. Mississippi: Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office, Charities registration, PO Box 136, Jackson, MS 39205-0136, 601-359-1633. New Jersey: Information filed with the Attorney General concerning this charitable solicitation may beobtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 201-504-6215. Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement. New York: A copy of the last annual report filed may be obtained upon request in writing tothe Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North Carolina: A copy of the license to solicit charitable contributions as a charitable organization or sponsor and financial information maybe obtained from the Department of Human Resources, Solicitation Licensing Branch, by calling 919-733-4510. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financialinformation of The Glaucoma Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Virginia: Official registration and financialinformation of The Glaucoma Foundation may be obtained from the State Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. Washington: Registration and financial report informationmay be obtained from the Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422 or by calling 1-800-332-4483. West Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financialdocuments from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement.

S P R I N G2 0 0 8

In Support of Future Research Breakthroughs Glaucoma Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. delivered a clear message to members of Congress:their support of increased research funding for the National Institutes of Health/National EyeInstitute is crucial as a delay in the ability to provide Federal grants jeopardizes the very future ofresearch. Continued flat funding not only increases competition for grants but can prompt investigators to submit proposals that are less innovative.

For years, The Glaucoma Foundation has awarded seed grants for highly innovative projects thathistorically have provided data and report results used in proposals submitted for governmentfunding. Future breakthroughs remain totally dependent upon this cutting-edge research.

The prognosis for increased Federal funding in 2009 appears to be promising. Nevertheless, and stillneeded, is your ongoing support so that we can continue to and hopefully increase the grants wewill award to innovative researchers in the year ahead. Your generosity can help bring us closer toreaching the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

The Glaucoma Foundation80 Maiden Lane, Suite 700 New York, NY 10038www.glaucomafoundation.orgT 212.285.0080 F 212.651.1888

CHANGE