Alliance for Vision Research

08/19/2026

How important is your independence? The ability to drive. Read a book. Recognize the faces of the people you love. Work, travel, and confidently navigate the world around you. Most of us take these everyday moments for granted—until they're at risk.

Blinding eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and countless others can gradually steal that independence. And as our population ages and conditions like diabetes and high myopia become more common, the number of Americans living with vision loss continues to grow.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Breakthroughs in vision research are bringing us closer than ever to new treatments—and ultimately cures. With sustained investment in the National Eye Institute and the brilliant researchers driving innovation, we can protect sight and preserve independence for millions.

Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to make vision research a national priority. Together, we can help everyone . https://eyeresearch.org/take-action/contact-congress/

08/13/2026

Vision research protects more than sight -- it strengthens our nation's preparedness and saves lives. Congratulations to Nawajes Mandal, PhD, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine on receiving a $466,103 National Eye Institute grant to study how chemical warfare agents damage the eye and identify new therapeutic targets to prevent long-term vision loss. https://bit.ly/4gw77O5

This research has the potential to lead to medical countermeasures that protect military personnel, first responders, and civilians from devastating ocular injuries while advancing our understanding of inflammation, corneal disease, and vision loss.

Federal investment in vision research drives discoveries that improve lives, strengthen national security, and bring hope to patients facing blinding eye diseases. That's why we must continue to invest in vision research and help everyone .

08/05/2026

For many of us, vision research funding is deeply personal. A parent. A child. A family member. A friend. Someone we love may be living with vision loss caused by one of the countless eye diseases or congenital conditions that lead to blindness or low vision.

For Nora Scott of Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), that reality hits especially close to home.

In this powerful video, Nora shares her personal story and why she understands profoundly why we must . Her experience is a powerful reminder that behind every research breakthrough is a person, a family, and the hope of preserving or restoring sight.

08/05/2026

What an incredible two days on Capitol Hill!

Alliance for Vision Research was honored to once again partner with the Dry Eye Foundation for its second annual Dry Eye Advocacy Day, bringing together patients, clinicians, and advocates from across the country to educate Congress about the profound impact of Dry Eye Disease and chronic ocular surface pain.

Their powerful stories reminded lawmakers that continued investment in the National Eye Institute and vision research is essential to developing better treatments, improving quality of life, and bringing hope to millions of Americans living with this often misunderstood condition.

Thank you to the Dry Eye Foundation for your partnership and to everyone who traveled to Washington to ensure Congress continues to . Together, we're elevating the patient voice and advancing policies that support research, innovation, and better outcomes for all.

07/21/2026

We're still coming down from an incredible Dry Eye Disease Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill with the Dry Eye Foundation. In just our second year partnering together, we've seen tremendous growth and even greater momentum. We're honored to work alongside such a passionate community of patients, advocates, clinicians, and researchers who are committed to ensuring Congress understands the true impact of dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease is far more than an inconvenience. For many, it means relentless pain, burning, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and constant disruption to everyday life. In its most severe forms, the emotional toll can be overwhelming, and some individuals have tragically lost hope after years of unrelenting suffering. Every conversation on Capitol Hill helps bring greater awareness to these realities and reinforces the urgent need for continued research, innovation, and access to better treatments.

Is your patient advocacy organization interested in bringing your community's voice to Capitol Hill? Alliance for Vision Research partners with vision patient advocacy organizations to plan and execute impactful advocacy days that connect patients directly with lawmakers and elevate the importance of vision research and patient care. Learn more and contact us today. https://eyeresearch.org/about-us/contact-us/

07/16/2026

Advocacy starts with a voice—and today, the Dry Eye Foundation is bringing those voices to Capitol Hill.

We're proud to partner with the Dry Eye Foundation for another Advocacy Day, empowering patients and advocates to share firsthand how dry eye disease impacts daily life and why continued investment in vision research matters.

Together, we're helping ensure policymakers .

07/07/2026

Millions of Americans live with chronic ocular surface pain associated with Dry Eye Disease ... a condition that can cause persistent burning, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, and other debilitating symptoms that profoundly affect vision, mental health, daily activities, productivity, and quality of life.

Join us on July 17 as leading experts and patient advocates explore the growing impact of ocular surface pain, advances in Dry Eye Disease research, and the critical importance of continued investment in vision research to improve outcomes for patients.

Open to the public, please JOIN US!
RSVP at [email protected]
Friday, July 17 at 12:00 PM
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2168

07/01/2026

Did you know you can become an Annual Individual Supporting Member of Alliance for Vision Research? https://eyeresearch.org/take-action/become-a-member/

Your tax-deductible membership helps power the advocacy that advances vision research and protects the future of sight. Your support enables us to educate Congress, advocate for strong funding for the National Eye Institute, NIH, and the Department of Defense Vision Research Program, train the next generation of advocates through our Emerging Vision Scientist Program, convene Congressional Briefings, unite the vision community, and amplify the voices of patients, families, researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders through .

Every breakthrough begins with research, and every voice strengthens our advocacy. Join us in protecting vision research and improving the lives of millions affected by vision loss. Become an Annual Individual Supporting Member today.

Alliance for Vision Research brings together leaders across the vision community—including researchers, clinicians, patient advocacy organizations, professional societies, and industry partners—to advance policies that support scientific discovery and improve outcomes for patients with vision lo...

06/30/2026

Alliance for Vision Research is featured in a new Healio article highlighting important FY26 federal budget developments for vision research. https://www.healio.com/news/optometry/20260629/qa-new-rule-could-make-governmentfunded-research-less-independent-less-trustworthy

The story covers the preservation of the National Eye Institute as an independent institute, restoration of the Department of Defense Vision Research Program, and the need for continued advocacy to protect public health programs that support vision care.

Vision research changes lives, and continued federal investment is essential to advancing scientific discovery, improving patient outcomes, and protecting sight for future generations.

06/18/2026

In case you missed it, the replay of Alliance for Vision Research's Congressional Briefing on Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) is now available. IRDs are rare genetic conditions that can lead to progressive vision loss and blindness, impacting independence, education, employment, and quality of life for patients and families.
https://youtu.be/XrRvzGUUfdg

Thank you to our outstanding speakers:
• Lindsey Rambo M.Ed. Special Education Rambo, Foundation Fighting Blindness
• Amy Laster, PhD, Foundation Fighting Blindness
• Daniel C. Chung, DO, MA, Beacon Therapeutics

And special thanks to our sponsors: Foundation Fighting Blindness, Beacon Therapeutics, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ARVO, and Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) for helping bring this important conversation to Congress.

Together, we're helping policymakers and understand the importance of sustained investment in vision research.

This briefing highlights the latest scientific advances in IRD rese...