Through private individual contributions, corporate philanthropy and community-based fundraising activities, the Foundation has raised more than $500 million since its founding and is the largest non-governmental source of research funds for inherited retinal degenerative diseases.

[5] This success paved the way for the development of gene therapies now in clinical trials to treat a wide range of other retinal conditions, including Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, and age-related macular degeneration.

The Foundation is also funding clinical trials of a tiny innovative capsule that is inserted into the eye to slow vision loss from a variety of retinal degenerative diseases.

[4] Through its communications and public health outreach programs, the Foundation educates individuals affected with retinal disease and their families about research developments, clinical trials, and coping with low vision.

In addition to grants and individual and corporate gifts, the Foundation hosts a series of fundraising events across the country, including VisionWalks, Dining in the Dark dinners, and Visionary Awards galas.

Nowhere else will people find such easy access to information on the latest retinal research and clinical trials, the doctors performing the work, coping strategies, and other families from around the country living with the same diseases.

Held around the country, each half-day, free seminar offers patients a forum to hear from prominent doctors and scientists about the latest retinal degenerative disease research, new treatments, therapies, and clinical trials.

Vision Seminars not only give affected individuals and their families critical information about research and treatments, but they also provide the hope necessary to cope with these debilitating diseases.