2017 Project – Vision for the Stars   2017 Project – Vision for the Stars  

Do me a favor, take a look at this picture Do me a favor, take a look at this picture. You may see a beautiful ocean scenery, however for many out there this image is much different.

Adult Macular Degeneration (AMD) This is what it looks like to many that experience AMD (Adult Macular Degeneration) Adult Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Ok, now let’s take a break and look at this scenery once again Ok, now let’s take a break and look at this scenery once again. Nice view right?

That is until you see it from the eyes of someone that experiences glaucoma.

STEPHEN A. WYNN INSTITUTE FOR VISION RESEARCH University of Iowa Foundation After seeing these images you might be able to imagine the complications many people face on a daily basis with these diseases. Today we want to tell you a little about what is being done to combat these diseases, and it’s happening right here in Iowa at the Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research.

Our History The Stephen A. Wynn Institute for Vision Research (WIVR) was created to enable the University of Iowa to strengthen its world-leading role in the eradication of human blindness through interdisciplinary research, education, and clinical care. · 40,000 sq. feet of contiguous research space · 35+ faculty members dedicated to eye research · 45,000 DNA patient samples– largest of it’s kind · Unique philanthropically funded mission   I’ll start by telling you a little bit about our history… The Wynn Institute for Vision Research was created at the University of Iowa so as to strengthen our world-leading role in research related to blinding eye diseases. We are a one of a kind facility that combats vision loss through our innovative research, top notch education system, and specialized clinical care. Our Institution has many aspects that make it unique, to name a few- we have a brand new facility that provides 40,000 sq. feet of work space for our researchers, over 35 faculty members are dedicated to our eye research and we have over 45,000 patient DNA samples (the largest of it’s kind), for our researchers use. Most importantly, and what makes us stand out from any other organization out there, is that we have a philanthropically funded mission that is dedicated and moving forward in our fight to end blindness. Not only is it our goal to find a cure, but to share it with the public and make it affordable to all.

AMD AMD causes damage to the macula (the central part of the retina) which results in a loss of central vision. There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet. · Straight lines or faces appear wavy · Blurry or blind spots in central vision · Difficulty recognizing faces · Vision seems hazy or less well defined   Take a look at the images to the right. On the top is an image that is without any vision issues, below you will see what it looks like to a person with advanced AMD. AMD is caused when there is damage to your macula, which is the located at the central part of your retina. When damage occurs it results in loss of your central vision. There are two forms of AMD- dry and wet. The symptoms can present in many ways. To name a few, straight lines or faces can appear to be wavy, you could have blurry or blind spots in your central vision, you can have difficulty recognizing faces, and your vision may seem to be hazy or in general less well defined.

Glaucoma Glaucoma can begin without any symptoms and over time can advance to more severe stages, in which central vision narrows to “tunnel” vision or even result in a complete loss of vision. · Gradual loss of peripheral vision · Blurred and/or double vision · Mild headaches or eye pain · Halos around lights    While Glaucoma is just as common as AMD, it presents much differently. Instead of creating central vision loss, you will lose your peripheral vision. In essence your vision will start to close in on you. You can see in the images to the right what it looks like before and after experiencing glaucoma. Besides gradually losing your peripheral vision, you could also experience blurred or double vision, mild headaches or eye pain, and possibly halos around lights. This is just to name a few. The most devastating part of these diseases is that once you lose part of your vision, you can not get it back.

AMD and Glaucoma Did you know that Glaucoma and AMD are the two leading causes of blindness in the US? Collectively affecting as many as one-third of all people over the age of 75. As these diseases tend to be slow moving, many people don’t even notice the symptoms before it is too late. Did you know that AMD and Glaucoma are the two leading causes of blindness in the US? Collectively affecting as many as one-third of all people over the age of 75. Take a look around you- that means that 1 out of 3 people here will either have glaucoma or AMD by the time they are 75 years old. As these diseases tend to be slow moving in nature, many don’t even realize that they have it before it is too late.

Why Iowa and Why Now? Researchers at the Wynn Institute have a mission of curing all eye diseases, from the most common (glaucoma, AMD) to the most rare (Retinitis Pigmentosa). In order to reach our mission our scientists today are using a new innovative approach with patient-derived stem-cells. Patient-Derived Stem-Cell Research Treatment plan and goal: AMD- We are using patient-derived stem-cells to create eye tissue that can be implanted back into the eye in order to stop the progression and restore vision. Glaucoma- We are using patient-derived stem-cells to create brand new optic nerves. We are then studying those optic nerves to create and test new drugs for therapy in order to stop the progression and restore vision. You may be thinking- Well that sounds horrible, but aren’t there some treatments at this time? To that I answer- Yes. However, they don’t work for everyone and their goal is to only slow the progression of vision loss. Our goal is to not only stop the progression, but to also restore vision! At the Wynn Institute we have a mission of curing all eye diseases, from the most common (glaucoma and AMD) to the most rare (Retinitis Pigmentosa). In order to do so we are using a new and innovative approach with patient-derived stem cells. These stem cells are quite different from the ones you may be thinking of, as they are not embryonic and are actually created directly from your own skin. By taking a small skin-cell biopsy from the back of your arm, scientists can now remove the cell’s memory and transform your arm skin tissue into stem cell tissue. From there we take it one step further and transform the stem cell tissue into eye tissue. When it comes to AMD our goal is to implant this tissue into the back of the eye to restore vision. Regarding glaucoma, by using these patient-derived stem cells we have made it possible to transform skin tissue into brand new optic nerves. (Which is the part of the eye damaged by glaucoma.) Our goal is to study these optic nerves to test new drugs for therapy that could possibly stop the progression and restore vision. While our glaucoma and AMD treatments may differ a bit here, there is one corresponding component. Patient- derived stem cell research is moving us closer to finding a cure for both diseases. We are working towards the first clinical trials of this kind anywhere in world! The slide to the right shows this process. I want to emphasize something here- our research is the first of it’s kind and is not being done like this anywhere else in the world. We are on the brink of some amazing things here and feel confident that we can end all forms of blindness within the next 10 years, if not sooner!

“As a person who knows firsthand what it is like to lose vision from a rare inherited eye disease, I want to do everything I can to help others who are similarly affected... I am thrilled by the pace of the scientific progress that has occurred in the past few years and I feel that the prospect of finding a cure is possible and probable in the short term and certainly the long term.” - Steve Wynn   It wouldn’t be fair of me not to recognize those that have helped us get this far. As I mentioned previously, we are unique in the fact that we are philanthropically driven. Now, what does that exactly mean? I’ll tell you. What that means is that we are not in it for the money. Once we find a cure, we are making it our mission to share it with the public, and most importantly make it affordable for all. There are many other organizations out there that feel differently. However, that’s not stopping us. This slide share the quote taken from Steven Wynn on his own experience here with us at Iowa. He shared this during the naming ceremony of the Institute back in 2013. I believe it says something that one of the most vocal and well known individuals affected by vision loss has found his team and home here in little old Iowa.  https://youtu.be/qp1lC8hurcg?t=70 I would like share a brief video of Steve Wynn during the naming ceremony of the Institute.

2017 Project – Vision for the Stars   2017 Project – Vision for the Stars Raise funds to help the Wynn Institute advance their efforts in the fight end blindness especially those caused by AMD Glaucoma     Now we are in a time where NIH funding is scarce and financial resources are limited and you may ask how we keep our ship afloat. I answer with this- we have people coming near and far and giving gifts of small and large to partner with us to move the needle forward. Let me emphasize that every bit counts. We thank the Grand Chapter of Iowa Order of Eastern Stars for supporting our work with your 2017 Vision for the Stars project. You will make a huge impact on the work being done. We appreciate your consideration and interest in our work and am thankful that you are willing to become a partner in our fight to end blindness! Thank you.