Foundation Fighting Blindness: Driving Cutting-Edge Research to Save and Restore Vision

Foundation Fighting Blindness: Driving Cutting-Edge Research to Save and Restore Vision

BEN SHABERMAN, VICE PRESIDENT OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS AT FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS

Imagine being diagnosed with a retinal disease that’s progressively robbing you of your vision and will leave you unable to read, drive, or see the faces of loved ones.

But then imagine that an eye doctor injects new genes or cells in your retinas, near the back of your eyes, to stop the disease in its tracks and potentially even restore lost vision.

Driving the development of these cutting-edge treatments and cures for retinal diseases is the groundbreaking work of the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

The Foundation is the global leader in funding research for retinal degenerative conditions— including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and Usher syndrome—which affect more than 10 million people in the U.S. and 175 million more worldwide. Since its inception in 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $900 million toward its urgent mission and currently funds more than 90 projects at the world’s leading retinal research centers. The RD Fund, the Foundation’s venture philanthropy arm, has invested nearly $100 million in biotech start-up companies that are poised to move treatments into human studies.

Thanks to Foundation funding, there’s an FDA-approved gene therapy, LUXTURNA®, which has restored vision to children and young adults who were virtually blind from a form of Leber congenital amaurosis, a severe retinal disease. The innovative treatment has enabled many of these patients to put away their navigational canes, see their parents’ faces, and even see stars in the sky for the first time.

Today, more than 45 clinical trials are underway for emerging gene therapies, cellular treatments, and small molecules. The Foundation has funded 88 percent of the current therapies in these human studies.

Thanks to its genetic testing program and My Retina Tracker® Registry, the Foundation is connecting patients to researchers and companies conducting clinical trials for emerging therapies.

The Foundation’s website, FightingBlindness.org, is chock full of information on these clinical trials, retinal diseases, educational seminars, support resources, and the more than 80 projects funded by the Foundation for cutting-edge research worldwide.

“The Foundation is proud of its leadership in driving research for treatments and cures, and advancing promising therapies into clinical trials,” said Jason Menzo, Chief Executive Officer at the Foundation. “We are also very proud of the strong, vibrant community we’ve built. No one ever has to be alone when facing a challenging retinal condition.”

The Foundation’s network of more than 45 active chapters throughout the U.S. enables patients and families to connect with each other for support and social engagement. Chapters host social and educational events throughout the year, connecting researchers and physicians with patients and families. The Foundation also provides resources for eye care professionals to help them educate and serve their patients.

Living with vision loss can be difficult, but you don't have to do it alone. Learn more and find support at FightingBlindness.org