Global Webinar Series – 2022

Eye Research & Eye Care for Individuals with Down Syndrome Across the Lifespan

In this session, Drs. McCourt and Puente will explain how vision problems can affect development and quality of life in people with Down syndrome, from childhood into adulthood. They will share the latest research on vision and eye health in people with Down syndrome and discuss areas where research is still lacking. They will also discuss recent advances in treatment for vision-threatening diseases strongly associated with Down syndrome. Attendees will walk away knowing how an eye exam can be performed on patients with Down syndrome and will understand recommended timelines for screening eye exams in the Down syndrome population to maximize visual function throughout life.

Emily McCourt, MD, is the chief of pediatric ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. McCourt grew up in Scarsdale, NY and completed her undergraduate training at University of Pennsylvania. She then returned to the east coast for medical school at the University of Buffalo. Finally, after ophthalmology residency and pediatric ophthalmology fellowship in Colorado, Dr. McCourt realized that she would call Colorado and this department at the University of Colorado her home and she joined the faculty.

As a faculty member, Dr. McCourt has held multiple leadership roles including research director for the section. She has almost 40 peer reviewed publications and her current research interests include pediatric keratoconus focusing on patients with Down syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity, and pediatric syndromic retinal dystrophies.

Michael Puente, MD is a pediatric ophthalmologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital Colorado. After completing medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Puente completed a surgical ophthalmology residency at Tulane University followed by a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship at the University of Colorado, where he now serves on the faculty. Dr. Puente is the director of an eye clinic for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and his research interests include eye health for individuals with Down syndrome, congenital cataracts, and LGBTQ issues in ophthalmology.

This webinar is one of the many benefits associated with Global Down Syndrome Foundation Membership. Learn more about GLOBAL’s award-winning magazine, Down Syndrome World™, and how to become a GLOBAL Member today.

If you have a family member of dear friend with Down syndrome, this webinar is for you! Not a Member? Join today! THANK YOU for supporting GLOBAL and our important work!

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