StemCell Therapy

In 2012, when Tyler Millard wrote the song Alivenow available on iTunes, with proceeds going to the Foundation Fighting Blindnesshe was having a rough time. Since being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) seven years earlier, hed lost enough eyesight to have to give up his plans to teach math. Hed also taken up the guitar and was singing and songwriting, although the gigs were few and far between. Continue Reading

One of the biggest challenges in overcoming rare retinal diseases is, well, that theyre rare. Theres limited information about the conditions in humans, making it difficult for researchers to understand why they cause blindness and develop vision-saving treatments. Continue Reading

The Foundation Fighting Blindness scientists, donors and volunteers made 2015 an outstanding year in our fight against blindness. As I tabulated the years top 10 research advancesall made possible through FFB fundingI realized that eight are for clinical trials of emerging therapies that are launching or underway. Continue Reading

Its holiday time, the giving season, when people not only buy gifts for family, friends and co-workers, but also donate to worthy causesof which there are many. But, if youll permit me, Id like to make a pitch for the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), which happens to be offering a Holiday Board Match, meaning every donation is doubled. Continue Reading

If youre a young or middle-aged adult who enjoys being outside in the bright sunshine, youre probably not thinking about the risk for going blind from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). But according to a new study published in the journal Retina, you should be. Continue Reading

Were approaching a critical milestone in the fight against blinding retinal diseases, and it has the potential to tremendously boost and accelerate the advancement of virtually all gene therapies in development for dozens of inherited retinal diseases.

Sometime in 2016, Spark Therapeutics will request marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its landmark gene therapy for retinal conditions caused by mutations in the gene RPE65, namely certain forms of Leber congenital amaurosis and retinitis pigmentosa. Continue Reading

Gordon Gund, whos held in extremely high esteem by people inside and outside the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), has been completely blind for decades. He lost his eyesight to a disease called retinitis pigmentosa in his thirties. Not that it slowed him down much. Among other accomplishments, hes been a financier, venture capitalist, sports-team owner and sculptor. And, of course, hes a co-founder of FFB and its chairman of the board. Continue Reading

I am delighted to welcome Valerie Navy-Daniels to the Foundation Fighting Blindness family. As our new chief development officer, she is overseeing all of our fundraising programs including events, major gifts and membership as well as communications and marketing. As many of you know, most of our research is funded by these fundraising programs, so her role is critical to the success of our mission of saving and restoring vision. Continue Reading

Many people with retinal conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration dont think they can donate their eyes after theyve passed away. They cant imagine anyone would want eyes that didnt work well. But in reality, affected eyes are in big demand. Continue Reading

X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is an inherited retinal disease causing significant vision loss, sometimes complete blindness, in males. Females are often considered to be unaffected carriers of the condition, with a 50 percent chance of passing XLRP to their sons. Continue Reading

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Eye on the Cure - Blog of the Foundation Fighting Blindness

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