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Introduction
Glaucomatous optic neuropathy (glaucoma) accounts for the majority of all irreversible blindness worldwide. As the population ages, the profound economic, psychological and societal impact of glaucoma will become increasingly onerous, since age remains among the highest risk factors. There is tremendous and intense interest in the neurobiological roots of glaucoma as they pertain to the retina and optic nerve. Because managing intraocular pressure does not cure the degeneration associated with glaucoma, the search for direct neuroprotective therapies is advancing at an alarming pace.
With the generous support of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, the Vanderbilt Eye Institute is excited to host its 2008 symposium "Neurodegeneration in Glaucoma: From Mechanisms to New Treatments". The goal of the symposium is to promote the exchange of current information and ideas among basic, translational and clinical scientists. Our intent is to foster new advances in our understanding of basic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in glaucoma and in the development of therapeutic interventions. Special effort has been made to encourage new investigators to attend, to recruit established investigators with clinical, basic science, and industry backgrounds, and to provide ample opportunity for these groups to interact.
The meeting will be held in Nashville, TN on October 14-15, 2008, with a welcoming reception the evening of October 13. The program will have platform sessions, dedicated time for poster presentations, and several panel discussions. The program will include cutting-edge presentations on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration, applications of new interventions, animal models of neurodegeneration, and novel therapeutic strategies from both academics and industry.
We look forward to seeing you in The Music City!
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