Industry News — Clinical Updates
ASRS Celebrates How Far the Science of Retina Has Progressed and Sees a Bright Future Thanks to Ongoing Industry-Funded Research
As the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) prepares to celebrate “how far the science of retina has progressed” in the Annual Meeting issue of Retina Times, it seems an appropriate time to acknowledge our industry partners for their ongoing robust support research and development (R&D) in pharmaceutical and surgical innovation. Their continued commitment to the development of drugs, devices, and technologies provide retina specialists with crucial tools in the fight against blindness and visual impairment.
At a time when government research funding is decreasing, industry support has made the difference. In 2013, a total of $1.8 billion was invested in U.S. vision research, of which more than $1 billion came from industry.
Though great strides have been made in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, numerous unmet needs remain in the management of sight-threatening conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinovascular disease, and retinal detachment. We are confident that continued strong collaborations between retina specialists and industry R&D efforts, will keep retina at the forefront of the most important advances in medical research.
As a not-for-profit organization that is committed to inclusion, education, and best patient outcomes, the ASRS recognizes that a commitment to continued innovation through R&D is critical to improving patient care. We applaud our industry partners as they maximize their efforts to fight blindness.
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The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) is the largest retinal organization in the world, representing over 2600 members in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 53 countries. The mission of the ASRS is to provide a collegial open forum for education, to advance the understanding and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, and to enhance the ability of its members to provide the highest quality of patient care.
Updated May 2014