TOPIC: Low Vision

Over 13 million Americans have some form of visual impairment-- that is, they have trouble seeing even with conventional glasses or contact lenses. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the US. It's one of a number of conditions that can result in low vision, making it difficult to perform routine tasks such as driving, reading, or recognizing the faces of friends. Find out about the warning signs, diagnosis and treatment of low vision. We'll also take a look at the some of the aids available to make the most of your remaining vision. And you'll even get a chance to ask the experts your questions.

GUESTS:

Albert M. Morier, O.D.
Dr. Morier graduated from S.U.C. at Geneseo in 1975 with a B.A. in Biology. He was granted a 2 year teaching assistantship by the same institution to work in the field of molecular biology. He attended the SUNY College of Optometry in New York graduating in 1982 with honors. He finished an internship in Low Vision under Eleanor Faye MD at the New York Association for the Blind, The Lighthouse, in 1982. Dr Morier is the Chair of the Low Vision Committee for the New York State Optometric Association as well as the Low Vision Consultant for the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. Dr. Morier organizes the largest low vision symposium in the country.

Dr. Morier is in private practice with two part time optometrists, three ophthalmic dispensers in Schenectady. Since 1990 he practices two days a week at Albany Medical College, The Lion's Eye Institute in Albany where he is an Instructor in Clinical Ophthalmology in the cornea department. Dr. Morier's practice includes primary eyecare, low vision and fitting of specialty contact lenses. He is a noted lecturer on dry eye, punctal occlusion, low vision care and specialty contact lenses. He has published numerous articles in both the optometric and ophthalmological journals on these topics.

Paul Beer, MD
Dr. Beer received his BS degree from Columbia University in 1976, and his MD from SUNY Stony Brook in 1982. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Winthrop University Hospital in 1983 followed by his ophthalmology residency at Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center from 1983 to 1986. In 1986, was awarded a prestigious vitreoretinal fellowship at Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, where he spent 2 years specializing in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. In 1988 Dr. Beer was appointed senior attending at Mary Imogene Bassett hospital in Cooperstown, New York and joined the clinical faculty of Columbia University and Albany Medical College. In 1993 he joined the full time faculty of Albany Medical Center at the rank of Associate Professor and Head of the VitreoRetinal Division. In 1999 Dr. Beer left the Medical College and founded The Retina Office, PLLC in Slingerlands, New York. Dr. Beer is resuming his position as Director of the Retina Division at AMC as of July 1st, 2002 in addition to maintaining his private practice office in Slingerlands.

Dr. Beer received three Teacher of the Year Awards, from the LSU ophthalmology residents in 1987, and the Albany Medical College ophthalmology residents in 1998 and 1999. In addition to his busy clinical practice and teaching activities, Dr. Beer has maintained an active research program and has presented his original, cutting-edge research results at many international vitreoretinal meetings. His research includes subretinal surgery, intravitreal drug administration, and new treatments for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Dr. Beer was the first to bring photodynamic therapy treatments for wet macular degeneration, and a new surgery for central retinal vein occlusion into the capital region, where countless patients have benefited from his expertise. He has been the recipient of several research grants and principal investigator on personal or national multi center studies. He is an active member of several professional ophthalmology societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Vitreous Society.