Focal Point Episode 4: The Aniridic Cornea – An Introduction

The image is a digital graphic design promoting an event hosted by "Aniridia North America" (ANA). The background consists of a dark wooden surface with a flat lay of office items, including an open silver laptop in the top left corner, a spiral-bound notebook with a pencil on top in the bottom left, and a pair of reading glasses near the notebook.

At the top center, the "ANA" logo is displayed, consisting of a stylized eye outline with "ANA" in bold white letters inside and "Aniridia North America" curved below in smaller white text.

The main text is centered in bold white letters and reads: "Focal Point"
Below it, in smaller text: "Focus"
The topic is displayed as: "The Aniridic Cornea - An Introduction"

Further down, the host’s name, "Janelle Collins", is in white text, followed by the guest’s name, "Dr. John Freeman", which is bolded.

On the right side, there is a small light blue box with black text displaying the event details: "February 12, 7:30 pm EST"

The design is professional and clean, with a dark background that contrasts well with the white text, making it easy to read. The inclusion of office supplies in the background gives it an academic or professional tone.

Guest: John Freeman, MD

Dr. Freeman is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and specializes in cataract surgery and corneal disease. Prior to receiving his medical degree, Dr. Freeman received his B.A. in English from Davidson College in North Carolina. Dr. Freeman earned his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.

He served his Residency at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and completed a Cornea/External Disease and Refractive Fellowship, under Dr. Edward J. Holland, at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His Fellowship included training in ocular surface reconstruction and advanced anterior segment surgery. Dr. Freeman has worked with aniridia patients for many years, first during his fellowship under Dr. Holland, then in Memphis with Dr. Peter Netland. During this time, he was the first to characterize aniridic fibrosis syndrome.

Dr. Freeman is currently serving on ANA’s Medical Advisory Board.  He serves as medical director of the Mid-South Eye Banks and on the board of the World Cataract Foundation and the Advancing Sight Network.  He has recently retired from private practice but continues to staff and teach residents for the VA and the University of Tennessee Ophthalmology Department and is looking forward to staying involved in the care of and research for congenital aniridia corneal conditions.

Host: Janelle Collins

Janelle serves as the Board Member at Large for ANA. She is also the Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Board and serves as the host for Focal Point. Janelle has been involved in the aniridia patient community via both patient advocacy groups and Facebook groups for a number of years. She enjoys reading peer-reviewed journal articles and summarizing their contents for the patient community. She also is passionate about welcoming new parents of children with aniridia to the community and assisting them as they begin their aniridia journey. 

Focus: The Aniridic Cornea – An Introduction

Date: February 12, 2025

Time: 7:30 pm EST

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Logo - Outline of an eye, with ANA in the middle and Aniridia North America underneath

Aniridia North America
106 W. Calendar Ave
Suite 122
LaGrange, IL 60525

Aniridia North America is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States.

EIN: 86-2917141

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