ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Pediatric Cataract Initiative (www.PediatricCataract.org), sponsored by the Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute and Lions Clubs International Foundation, today announced its inaugural global advisory council. Members include:
- Gullapalli "Nag" Rao, M.D., MBBS, Ph.D. (Board Chairman). Dr. Rao is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist and founder of the L V Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad, India). He is known worldwide for his humanitarian efforts to prevent blindness.
- Joseph Barr, O.D., MS, FAAO. Dr. Barr is vice president of Global Clinical & Medical Affairs and Professional Services (Vision Care) for Bausch + Lomb (Rochester, N.Y.). He is an emeritus professor of Optometry and Vision Science at The Ohio State University, and the emeritus editor of Contact Lens Spectrum.
- Sean P. Donahue, Ph.D., M.D. Dr. Donahue is professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.). He is currently the chief of pediatric ophthalmology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with a special interest in early diagnosis of correctable childhood eye problems.
- Clare Gilbert, M.D., MSc. Dr. Gilbert is professor of International Eye Health at the International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London University (U.K.). Her research focuses on the epidemiology of blindness in children, particularly in low- to middle-income countries.
- Scott Lambert, M.D. Dr. Lambert is the R. Howard Dobbs professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics at Emory University (Atlanta, Ga.). His specialty is pediatric cataracts; he is currently chairing a National Institutes of Health clinical trial on the best way to optically correct infants after cataract surgery.
- Lipika Roy, M.D., MBA. Dr. Roy is head of Asia-Pacific Medical Affairs (Pharmaceuticals) for Bausch + Lomb (Singapore). A pediatric ophthalmologist, she was formerly the assistant director of research, ophthalmology, for Singapore’s National Health Care Group.
In addition, Lions Clubs International Foundation will name one of its members to serve on the advisory board in July 2010.
The Pediatric Cataract Initiative will utilize the resources of the Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute and Lions Clubs International Foundation to identify, fund and promote innovative methods of overcoming this issue for the long-term benefit of children, their families and their communities.
This debilitating childhood condition is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Causes include intrauterine infections such as pregnancy rubella, metabolic disorders and genetically transmitted syndromes.
For additional information, visit www.PediatricCataract.org.
# # #
About the Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute
The Bausch + Lomb Early Vision Institute is a program of the global eye health company focusing on children's vision research, treatment, prevention and advocacy. Founded in 1853, Bausch + Lomb is one of the best-known and most respected healthcare brands in the world, with its contact lenses and solutions, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, and ophthalmic surgical products available in approximately 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bausch.com.
About Lions Clubs International Foundation
Lions Clubs International Foundation is the grant-making body of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest volunteer service organization. The LCIF SightFirst program, Lions’ flagship initiative, builds comprehensive eye care systems to fight the major causes of blindness and care for blind and visually impaired persons. Since 1990, the SightFirst program has helped restore sight to more than 30 million people around the world, having invested US$237 million in surgeries, the improvement of hundreds of eye care facilities and training of thousands of eye care professionals. For more information, visit www.lcif.org.
United States
