BrightFocus Chats: Free Telephone Discussions on Mind and Vision Diseases Feb. 26:

“I Have Macular Degeneration… Now What?”

CLARKSBURG, MD—BrightFocus Foundation, a Maryland nonprofit funding research and public information on macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease, today announced BrightFocus Chats a new, free telephone discussion series.

The first BrightFocus Chat, I Have Macular Degeneration…Now What?, will be February 26 at 1 p.m. ET, discussing a vision disease affecting 11 million Americans. One of the most common vision disorders in persons 60 and older, macular degeneration harms the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed to see objects clearly. February is National AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month.

“Patients and loved ones have many unanswered questions and fears, but there is not enough time to address them all in the doctor’s office,” said Stacy Pagos Haller, BrightFocus President and CEO. “The BrightFocus Chat series is here to help.”

Callers to the chat will be able to learn from and ask questions of the speakers, an ophthalmologist and a patient advocate, who will address treatment options and resources available to help patients and their families.

BrightFocus Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting research and public education to help eradicate brain and eye diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. For more information, call 1-800-437-2423.