Latest Research about Coats Disease

Dr. Cynthia A. Toth*
Department / Division
Ophthalmology / Retinal Ophthalmology

Location: North Carolina
About: Cynthia Toth works at Duke University Eye Center.  She is a member of the Association of Pediatric Retinal Surgeons.

*Recommended by Coats expert Dr. Mike Jumper

ROPARD

The Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation is proud to support The San Francisco Retina Foundation and through them provide grant funding to Dr. Michael Trese and ROPARD, The Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Retinal Diseases. The San Francisco Retina Foundation is actively supporting clinical research and encouraging the development of new and effective ways of treating retinal diseases, specifically Coats’ Disease.

Michael T. Trese, M.D.

Dr. Trese has a special interest in pediatric vitreoretinal diseases and especially retinopathy of prematurity, considered to be the main cause of blindness in children in developed countries by the World Health Organization. He has authored hundreds of publications in professional journals, many textbook chapters, and has spoken all around the world and delivered several named lectureships. Children from all over the world are referred to him by other pediatric ophthalmologists.

In 1990, Dr. Trese founded ROPARD, the Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases. His goal for this non-profit organization was initially to fund research in pediatric retinal diseases, which led to the establishment of the ROPARD website,www.ropard.org. The website contains information to help other physicians better understand the etiology of retinopathy of prematurity, links to valuable resources for families of children with pediatric retinal diseases, and information on appropriate toys for visually impaired children.

In 2001, ROPARD established the Children’s Low Vision Resource Center. Since families come from all over the United States and all over the world for medical/surgical intervention for their children, Dr. Trese felt it would be beneficial for these families to have a resource center that provides materials and resources to these families, at no charge. Families are able to see first hand aids that would benefit in their child’s development. It is believed to be the only facility of its kind.

Dr. Trese coordinates the ROPARD Lecture Series which brings together pediatric retinal specialists from around the world on a biannual basis, and he lectures throughout the world while providing medical intervention in foreign countries so that families do not have to travel quite so far for follow up visits.

Through ROPARD, Dr. Trese’s expertise has been disseminated through videotapes, booklets and brochures to hospitals, schools and individuals.

About The Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation and Stem Cell Research

The Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the development of a cure for Coats’ disease through funding research. We seek the best minds nationally and internationally to effect a cure.  Our doctors have indicated that a possible cure for Coats’ is in the area of stem cell research. We will continue to update you, our friends and donors with the latest information on stem cell research as we discover it. We invite you to alert us to the latest discoveries as you learn about them.

Pediatric Retinal Vascular Disease Forum – February 12 & 13th, 2010

In 2009 The Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation discussed with Dr. Jumper the possibility of assembling the best minds in pediatric vascular research to discuss their work and their findings. With a grant, in 2010, Dr. Jumper and Lorraine Geary assembled a group of the most influential clinicians and researchers for the first of its kind forum in order to direct attention to pediatric retinal vascular diseases.

Thanks to their hard work and the generosity of the Grand Hyatt San Francisco in Union Square, a conference was held in San Francisco on February 12 and 13th, 2010. Through the generosity of all of our donors, our dream of a conference was realized. Four speakers discussed their research on Coats’ Disease specifically. Because of our donors and their generous support through our fashion event at The Firm and our annual golf tournament, this grant directly advanced the knowledge of Coats disease. Dr. Mike Trese (our first year grantee) graciously accepted the invitation to present the Jack McGovern lecture on Coats disease. The meeting began with an informal buffet dinner and case conference on Friday evening, February 12, 2010 and attendees met on Saturday from 8 AM until approximately 1 PM. Jack, Ed and Tina were in attendance for the presentation by Genentech as well as to hear Dr. Mike Trese’s report on his research work.

It was gratifying and hopeful to hear such great minds share their knowledge and to realize that they are working to cure these debilitating diseases each day.

Dr. Weilan Yee of Genentech spoke about Genentech’s studies in this area examining possible gene therapies and drug treatments. There is much promising work from their researchers to report. Dr. Michael Trese (the foundations first grantee) spoke about his work in the research field and his findings about Coats’ Disease. Dr. Jumper thanked the JMCDF for our sponsorship of this conference and desire to see this conference work continue. Dr. Trese spoke about the importance of our foundation and how private philanthropy is the key to pushing forward towards a cure.

Dr Trese and Dr Jumper at 2010 Vascular Retinal Disease ConferenceThough Coats affects a small number of people, many of the pediatric retinal diseases discussed have similar symptoms and these diseases effect many.

Dr. Trese was presented with The Jack McGovern Lecturer 2010 award this year for his work in research and Coats Disease.

Here is (left to right) Dr. Trese, Jack McGovern and Dr. Mike Jumper at the 2010 Vascular Retinal Disease Conference sponsored by the Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation.

Researchers, Doctors, & Clinicians Meet out West

Thank you to the following researchers and clinicians for coming out West for a weekend of fellowship and learning. We hope that this first annual forum will continue in the years to come.

 

Michael P. Blair, MD
University of Illinois/Ophthalmology
1905 Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312-996-6660
mblair2@uic.edu
J. Michael Jumper, MD
185 Berry Street, #130
San Francisco, CA 94107
415-972-4600
jmjumper@westcoastretina.com
R.V. Paul Chan, MD, FACS
Weill Cornell Medical College
1305 York Avenue, Room Y-1134
New  York, NY 10021
roc9013@med.cornell.edu
www.weillcornell.org/rvpaulchan
Thomas Lee, MD
Children’s Hospital
Keck School of Medicine
Mail Stop 88
Los Angeles, CA 90089
323-361-2299
tleemd@gmail.com
Mina Chung, MD
University of Rochester/Ophthalmology
601 Rochester Avenue, Box 659
Rochester, NY 14642
585-275-4141
MinaChung1@yahoo.com
Jonathan E. Sears, MD
Cleveland Clinic Foundation/
Ophthalmology
9500 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44195
216-444-8157
SEARSJ@ccf.org
William V. Good, MD
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
2318 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-345-2055
good@ski.org
Michael J. Shapiro, MD
University of Illinois/Ophthalmology
1905 Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
312-996-0615
michshap@uic.edu
Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD
University of North Carolina/Ophthalmology
5110 Bioinformatics Bldg/CB 7040
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-843-0298
maryelizabeth_hartnett@med.unc.edu
Michael T. Trese, MD
632 William Beaumont Medical Bldg.
335 W. 13 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48073
248-288-2269
MGJT46@aol.com

 

2010 Coats Disease Pediatric Retinal Vascualr Disease Forum - San Francisco

 

 

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