ChemE's Morgan Fedorchak visits the Carnegie Science Center to explore how new drugs help patients see clearly
Dr. Fedorchak to discuss potential end of eye drops and new treatments for glaucoma
PITTSBURGH (August 30, 2016) ... Eye drops are critical to preventing and treating ocular ailments, but they can be uncomfortable and sometimes difficult to use. Join University of Pittsburgh Assistant Professor Dr. Morgan Fedorchak at Carnegie Science Center’s next Café Scientifique, Monday, Sept. 12 from 7 – 9 pm as she discusses new technologies that could see patients more comfortable, and compliant, with their medication routines.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, expected to affect up to three million Americans by 2020. One of the main risk factors in glaucoma is an unsafe increase in intraocular pressure or IOP. During her talk, “Old Drugs, New Tricks: Putting an End to Traditional Eye Drops,” Fedorchak will explain how IOP reduction in patients with glaucoma can be accomplished through the use of medicated eye drops. However, difficulties in using and administering eye drops mean patient medication compliance rates can be as low as 30 percent. Fedorchak will discuss some of the latest developments in ocular medicine that could overcome the issues surrounding traditional eye drop medication.
Fedorchak is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Chemical Engineering, and Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Pittsburgh and is the director of the Ophthalmic Biomaterials Laboratory. She attended Carnegie Mellon University where she obtained her B.S. in both Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering in 2006. She earned her PhD in bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research is currently supported by the National Eye Institute, the Cystinosis Research Foundation, the University of Pittsburgh Center for Medical Innovation, and the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation.
After the talk, audience members will be invited to ask questions and become part of the discussion.
Admission to Café Sci is free. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Doors open at 6 pm. The evening includes time for informal discussion, eating, and drinking.
For more information and to RSVP, visit CarnegieScienceCenter.org, call 412-237-3400, or visit here to register.
About Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to
seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and off-site education programs.
About Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Established in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is a collection of four distinctive museums: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. In 2015, the museums reached more
than 1.4 million people through exhibitions, educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.
###
Contact: Paul Kovach