Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative

Press Release: Amplifying the Voices of Diabetic Retinal Disease Patients & Caregivers

Amplifying the Voices of Diabetic Retinal Disease Patients & Caregivers: Join MTM Vision’s Virtual Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting

When it comes to the future of Diabetic Retinal Disease (DRD) treatments, patients and caregivers will now have a direct seat at the table. The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) invites all those impacted by DRD to participate in a virtual Externally Led Patient-Focused Drug Development (EL-PFDD) Meeting on February 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET.

As part of the Patient-Focused Drug Development initiative, developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), EL-PFDD meetings aim to ensure that patients’ experiences, perspectives, needs, and priorities are captured and meaningfully integrated into drug development and regulatory decision-making.

“For the first time, the lived experiences of patients and caregivers affected by Diabetic Retinal Disease will help guide innovation and advance care. This is more than just a meeting—it’s a landmark moment for the DRD community to be heard by those who can inspire true change,” said Dr. Latrice Faulkner, Administrative Manager of MTM Vision. “We welcome everyone impacted by diabetic eye disease to join us and make their voices count.”

During this pivotal meeting, patients, families and caregivers affected by DRD will have the opportunity to speak directly to representatives from the FDA, product developers, practicing clinicians, and researchers. Participants will share how DRD impacts daily life and treatment journeys through several avenues:

Recorded videos and testimonials highlighting lived experiences
Live “discussion starter” sessions featuring patients and caregivers
Interactive participation, including live call-ins, comment submissions, and polling

Additionally, to provide the public with more information about the DRD EL-PFDD meeting and answer any questions, MTM Vision will be hosting a virtual community webinar on January 14th, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET (Register Here). All are welcome to attend and learn how to get involved.The portal for written comment submissions for the DRD EL-PFDD meeting opens on January 1st, 2026, and will remain available for 30 days following the meeting. All perspectives—shared before, during, and after the meeting—will be incorporated into a Voice of the Patient Report. This report will be made publicly available on the MTM Vision website and shared with the FDA, serving as a valuable resource for future regulatory and drug development decisions focused on DRD.

The meeting will also feature insights from leading experts in DRD:

Dr. Jennifer Sun MD, MPH from Harvard Medical School will provide a comprehensive clinical overview of DRD.
Dr. Thomas Gardener, MD, MS from The University of Michigan will discuss the current treatment landscape and emerging therapies for DRD.
Dr. William Boyd, MD, Director of the FDA’s CDER Division of Ophthalmology, will offer opening remarks.

Free registration for the DRD EL-PFDD meeting is now open (Register Here). To receive updates and event details, visit www.marytylermoore.org/el-pfdd or join the MTM Vision mailing list.

For questions, please contact MTMVisionDRD-PFDDinfo@umich.edu.

About the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative
Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) advances research to preserve and restore vision in people with diabetes. Our mission is to accelerate new methods for preventing and treating vision loss, so everyone with diabetes can live joyfully and independently—free from the fear of blindness. We catalyze progress by partnering globally and providing thought leadership and research resources.

Parade 11/23/2025

On their 42nd anniversary, Dr. S. Robert Levine shares personal memories of his and Mary’s Thanksgiving Eve wedding — and how love continues to shape her legacy through the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) as we move toward better treatments and a cure for diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

Read the full story HERE

People Magazine 11/23/2025

Dr. S Robert Levine shares heartwarming memories of his wedding day and why he is collaborating with Frances Valentine to celebrate Mary’s style legacy. A portion of the proceeds from the fashion line will help support our research to find new treatments to prevent and cure vision loss from diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

Read the full story HERE

People Magazine 11/11/2025

“Mary Tyler Moore’s unforgettable sense of fashion lives on.” – People Magazine

Mary Tyler Moore’s timeless influence continues to shine, not only through her groundbreaking work on screen but also through the effortless elegance she brought to every role. Now, her signature style is being reimagined for a new generation.

In partnership, Elyce Arons, Co-Founder and CEO of Frances Valentine, and Dr. S. Robert Levine, Mary’s husband and Founder and CEO of the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision), are bringing Mary’s iconic fashion sensibility back to life in a capsule collection launching for Fall 2026. The line captures the spirit of Mary — bold, sophisticated, and full of heart — featuring pieces inspired by her unforgettable looks from the Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and her personal wardrobe.

As we continue Mary’s legacy by helping preserve and restore sight for over 530 million people living with diabetes who are at risk of vision loss, a portion of the proceeds from the collection will support MTM Vision’s mission and research.

Our ultimate goal is to accelerate the development of new ways to preserve (and restore) sight for those who are at risk for or have vision loss from diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

Parade 11/5/2025

How Mary Tyler Moore’s trailblazing spirit continues to inspire — from her fearless choice to wear pants on television in 1961 to her lasting impact on fashion and culture today.

Our collaboration with Frances Valentine and Elyce Arons (CEO) celebrates Mary’s signature style while supporting the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision). A portion of the proceeds will help fund research for better treatments — and ultimately a cure — for vision loss from diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

[Read the full Parade feature] to see how Mary’s influence still shapes fashion and continues to inspire women today…

Woman’s World 11/4/2025

We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Elyce Arons and the Frances Valentine team, honoring the timeless legacy of Mary Tyler Moore. This exclusive feature with Woman’s World highlights how the new collection captures the vibrant spirit and confidence that Mary embodied — a celebration of individuality, optimism, and classic style with a modern twist.

Partnering with Frances Valentine has been an inspiring experience, and we’re proud to see how this collection brings together fashion, history, and heart. The fashion line will launch in fall 2026, donating a portion of the proceeds to help to fund the work of the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative to accelerate better treatments and ultimately a cure for diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

You can read the full Woman’s World article [HERE] for an exclusive look at the pieces inspired by Mary’s iconic charm and the creative vision behind them.

People Magazine 11/3/2025

“I think we broke new ground, and that was helped by my insistence on wearing pants, you know, jeans and capri pants at the time, because I said I’ve seen all the other actresses and they’re always running the vacuum in these little flowered frocks with high heels on, and I don’t do that. And I don’t know any of my friends who do that. So why don’t we try to make this real? And I’ll dress on the show the way I do in real life.” – Mary Tyler Moore

We’re so excited about our partnership with Elyce Arons and Frances Valentine!

Mary Tyler Moore was never afraid to make a statement—on screen or off. Her fearless authenticity reshaped television and inspired generations to challenge convention. Today, The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative (MTM Vision) continues her groundbreaking legacy by accelerating the development of new ways to prevent, reverse, and ultimately cure vision loss caused by diabetic retinal disease (DRD).

Check out the full article HERE.

People Magazine 10/13/2025:

“What Ever Happened to Mary Tyler Moore’s Iconic Hat?”

More than 50 years after The Mary Tyler Moore Show first aired, one of television’s most unforgettable moments — Mary Tyler Moore tossing her hat into the air — continues to inspire joy and independence. That same blue beret remained in Mary’s possession for decades and was kept safely in her office, a lasting reminder of her groundbreaking role as Mary Richards.

The iconic and memorable hat toss also serves as the logo for the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative as we carry forward Mary’s mission of creating a world without vision loss and blindness from diabetes.

To read the full story, visit: https://people.com/where-mary-tyler-moore-iconic-hat-is-today-11823576

Frances Valentine Launch Fall 2026 Capsule Collection Inspired by Mary Tyler Moore

Dr. S. Robert Levine (Mary’s husband) and Elyce Arons, Co-Founder and CEO of Frances Valentine
Photo credit: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

Elyce Arons and the Frances Valentine team are creating a capsule collection for fall 2026, inspired by two of Mary Tyler Moore’s most iconic characters: Laura Petrie from The Dick Van Dyke Show and Mary Richards from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The collection channels the confidence and timeless style that made Mary Tyler Moore a fashion icon. A portion of sales will support MTM Vision’s mission to cure vision loss caused by diabetic retinal disease.

Mary Tyler Moore/The Dick Van Dyke Show

Read More in The New York Times

Upcoming: Fall 2025 Scientific Symposium (November 2-3 2025)

Our fourth annual symposium on “Curing Vision Loss from Diabetes” held in Ann Arbor Michigan will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, people with diabetes, and representatives from industry, government, and regulatory agencies working together to conquer vision loss from diabetic retinal disease.

If interested in participating, please contact MTMVisionEvents@umich.edu. In-person capacity is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

This in-person and virtual event is hosted collaboratively with the Elizabeth Caswell Diabetes Institute and the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan November 2-3, 2025.