The Shiley Eye Center’s donor membership program, the Circle of Sight, with over 200 members, provides critical support for the Center’s new initiatives which often lead to major advances in ophthalmology. Members are invited to attend Vision Research Lectures and Receptions. The lectures give “insider reports” on the newest research and offer a venue where members can get to know the Shiley faculty on a more personal basis. Over the last year, the lecture series addressed several important topics on eye diseases, research and treatments.

On September 22, 2005, Barbara L. Brody, M.P.H., Director, Division of Community Ophthalmology, spoke about “Reaching Out to the Forgotten People: Eye Care, Education and Treatment”. She discussed groundbreaking research and academic based community service programs that she directs: the Save our Children’s Sight program that includes the EyeMobile for Children and age related macular degeneration (AMD) quality of life research that includes self-management group programs and the ongoing advances with the AMD registry.

Don O. Kikkawa, M.D., Director, Division of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Professor of Ophthalmology, presented “Medicine in the Year 2006: Merging Science, Art and Technology” on February 23, 2006. He discussed the growing field of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as the state of the art treatment of complex eyelid, orbital and lacrimal disease. Topics covered were: small incision surgery with faster healing times, use of modern technology to improve surgical results and patient care.

On June 14, 2006, Robert N. Weinreb, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and the Director of the Hamilton Glaucoma Center, lectured on “What is Next for Glaucoma?” He updated an overflow audience at the Moores Cancer Center auditorium on the unique cross-disciplinary investigative programs at UCSD to better diagnose and treat glaucoma. He lectured on the world-leading research taking place in the clinic and laboratory to protect the optic nerve and prevent glaucoma blindness.

David B. Granet, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.O., F.A.A.P., Anne F. Ratner Professor of Ophthalmology & Pediatrics and Director of the UCSD Ratner Children’s Eye Center, spoke on October 18, 2006. His lecture, entitled “Double Trouble? Double Vision in Adults”, examined the many causes for double vision and presented fascinating photographs of patients experiencing double vision from eye misalignments. Additionally, Dr. Granet discussed the numerous psychological and social problems experienced with double vision. He demonstrated the help these patients can get by showing post-surgery photos exhibiting straight eyes.

On January 24, 2007, William R. Freeman, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Retina Center, updated the members on his groundbreaking research titled “Improving Vision Through New Treatments of Age Related Macular Degeneration and Other Retina Diseases”. He discussed his varied activities in the clinic with clinical trials and in the cross disciplinary research laboratories.