On Saturday, Feb. 22, Retina Health Center and the Foundation Fighting Blindness will host the 11th annual Southwest Florida Macular Degeneration Symposium with world-renowned experts providing the latest information on treatment options and new discoveries. Attendees will learn about the advent of personalized medicine for the management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), what many are calling the most important breakthrough in the treatment of macular degeneration in 2013. They will also hear about current treatment options, clinical trials and new technologies for AMD.

This free three-hour presentation will be given twice on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon and from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Rd. in Bonita Springs. To ensure an available seat, attendees must register in advance by calling 800-586-6765.

Dr. Carl Awh, an internationally-recognized retina specialist, will be the keynote speaker at the 2014 Symposium. Dr. Awh will share the results of his work that lead to the discovery of the importance of individuals knowing their genotype in order to optimally manage their AMD. He will explain how knowing your genotype will help you select the best nutritional supplements for you and how this approach can more than double your benefit when compared to taking nutritional supplements without knowing your genotype.

In addition to Dr. Awh’s presentation, Drs. Alexander Eaton and Hussein Wafapoor of Retina Health Center will provide an overview of macular degeneration and discuss ongoing studies at Retina Health Center’s Macular Degeneration Research Center in Fort Myers that are helping patients at the local, national and international level. Guests will also hear from Dr. Timothy Schoen of the Foundation Fighting Blindness who will share a global perspective on retinal degenerative disease research.