UT Southwestern Medical Center has a caring staff of medical professionals who are committed to enhancing patients’ quality of life, as well as meeting the needs of patients’ families. Our staff can direct them to a variety of informative and enriching support groups and other resources, which can be tailored to meet a specific situation.
At UT Southwestern, excellence in patient care includes pointing the way to resources with which patients and their families may not be familiar, but which have proved invaluable to others. We trust these services will assist patients on the road to healing and improved health.
UT Southwestern partners with the Eye Services Consortium of Dallas, which provides information about numerous organizations that assist patients with vision-related issues.
For more information about eye conditions and disease and about eye research, the Department of Ophthalmology suggests the following organizations:
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. With annual conferences, educational courses and scientific publications, the AAO’s goal is the continued education of ophthalmologists so that the public can obtain the best possible eye care.
American Academy of Ophthalmology: There’s Hope for People with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This 2006 press release outlines some possible macular degeneration treatments that researchers are currently studying.
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association strives to fund diabetes research, inform the public about the disease and advocate for diabetics’ rights. The Web site offers recipes, exercise tips, a calendar of local events and fact sheets for parents and children.
American Retina Foundation
This nonprofit organization provides support to patients with a variety of retina and vitreous diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, ocular malignancies, infectious diseases and other medical conditions that affect vision.
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
This international organization is made up of eye and vision researchers.
Cornea Research Foundation of America
The Cornea Research Foundation of American funds studies on corneal disease, intraocular lens surgery and corneal transplantation. Their site houses information for the public about cornea donations and transplants.
The EyeCare Foundation
The EyeCare Foundation’s goal is to raise awareness about macular degeneration and ocular cancer. Read inspiring stories, find a support group, and learn more about these conditions.
Eye Surgery Education Council
Patients who are considering laser eye surgery should visit this site to learn more about the various procedures. Information on LASIK, including a patient screening guide, and wavefront technology are available.
Glaucoma Foundation
The Glaucoma Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to identifying new treatments and cures for glaucoma. Subscribe to their newsletter, learn about eye care, or submit a question to be answered by a doctor.
Glaucoma Research Foundation
The Glaucoma Research Foundation raises funds to help researchers find a cure for glaucoma. View their fact sheets about glaucoma and their tips for living with the disease.
International Glaucoma Association
The International Glaucoma Association’s Web site offers a variety of information about glaucoma, including the signs, symptoms, and risk factors, as well as a special section on how to use prescribed eye drops.
International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)
This Web page offers in-depth information about the types of eye conditions that refractive surgery corrects, as well as descriptions of the various procedures.
Macular Degeneration Foundation
The Macular Degeneration Foundation provides a free newsletter, research articles, and a list of upcoming events designed to raise funds for macular degeneration research.
Macular Degeneration Partnership
The Macular Degeneration Partnership created this Web site, AMD.org, to educate the public about macular degeneration. Fact sheets, answers to frequently asked questions, and a newsletter are all available.
Macula Vision Research Foundation (MVRF)
The MVRF’s mission is to find the cause, prevention, treatments and cure for macula vision diseases.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NCI conducts and supports research on cancer. The site offers information for the public and cancer patients and their families, including materials on ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, this site provides a wealth of information for diabetics and their families.
National Eye Institute (NEI)
One of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NEI conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other vision disorders.
Ocular Melanoma Foundation (OMF)
The OFM works to increase awareness, enhance education and research, and provide advocacy for ocular melanoma. The site provides a wealth of news and information about this disease.
Ophthalmic Photographers' Society
The Ophthalmic Photographers’ Society provides continuing education for eye imaging professionals.
Research To Prevent Blindness
Research to Prevent Blindness works to fund research that will prevent, treat and eliminate all all diseases that threaten vision. They offer fact sheets for the public on conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Retina Foundation of the Southwest
This organization provides retinal research, visual testing and evaluation services to infants and children who have developmental and neurological problems that preclude the use of traditional vision tests.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): LASIK Eye Surgery
The FDA site offers information about approved laser treatments, a glossary, FAQs and a checklist of considerations for people contemplating refractive surgery.
