Macular Chats

Hosted by BrightFocus Foundation

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Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Macular Chats are a series of free, informative audio conversations hosted by Macular Degeneration Research, a BrightFocus Foundation program, featuring retina specialists and other eye care experts who will discuss various aspects of living with macular degeneration and geographic atrophy. Topics will include macular degeneration treatments, remaining independent, and promising research on the horizon. #Ophthalmology #Macular #MacularDegeneration #GeographicAtrophy #VisionLoss #LowVision

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5 recent

August 26, 202648 min

Eliminating Barriers to Care for People with Vision Loss

Hear from Dr. April McCullough of Regeneron and Katherine Freund of Independent Transportation Network of America about the real-world barriers that prevent people with vision loss from accessing timely eye care. Together, they’ll explore how social determinants of health—specifically transportation—affect vision outcomes, and highlight innovative efforts such as Rides in Sight, a free national service helping connect people with reliable transportation to sight-saving medical appointments.

July 29, 202643 min

2026 Grants in Focus: Driving Breakthroughs in Macular Degeneration

BrightFocus Foundation’s Macular Degeneration Research program is fueling the most promising scientific studies around the world to advance prevention, earlier detection, treatments, and ultimately a cure for macular degeneration. This year alone, we’ve invested $4.7 million in new funding for bold, forward-thinking research. In this session, learn about some of these pioneering projects and explore the exciting ideas shaping the future of vision research.

May 27, 202638 min

The Future of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Geographic Atrophy: How Clinical Trials Are Paving the Way

Clinical trials are essential to advancing care for age‑related macular degeneration (AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA). In this episode, Mathew MacCumber, MD, PhD, explains how clinical trials work, the potential benefits and challenges of participation, and key factors to consider when deciding whether a trial may be right for you. The discussion will also include a high-level overview of the GALLOP clinical trial for GA and what current research means for the future of vision health.

April 29, 202634 min

Cell Therapy and Macular Degeneration: Exploring a New Treatment Frontier

Researchers are exploring whether cell therapy—including stem cells and stem cell–derived treatments—could help repair or replace damaged retinal cells in macular degeneration and geographic atrophy. In this episode, we explain how these therapies are intended to work, how the cells may be delivered to the eye, and the potential risks.

March 25, 202658 min

Understanding Macular Degeneration: A Listener Q&A Session

In this interactive episode, Dr. Joshua Dunaief answers listener questions about macular degeneration. From understanding the different types of AMD to the role of supplements and nutrition, tips for daily living, and treatment options, this conversation is designed to address the topics that matter most to you. Join us to hear practical insights from a leading expert.