BrightFocus Foundation

10/20/2026

Meet June Kinosh*ta, a longtime monthly donor to BrightFocus Foundation's National Glaucoma Research program. 💙

June is a former science editor and journalist and a past member of the BrightFocus board of directors. She was drawn to bold research that goes beyond lowering eye pressure and works to protect the retinal ganglion cells that form the optic nerve.

She also values our support for early-career scientists, which helps them turn their discoveries into projects that can reach the clinic.

Read her story. ↘️

June Kinosh*ta's decision to provide ongoing support to BrightFocus Foundation's National Glaucoma Research program was inspired by respect born out of deep experience as an advisor and leader in the medical nonprofit field.

10/19/2026

🚨 Protect your home. Prepare for emergencies. Stay safe.

Tune in on Oct. 28 for a Macular Chat featuring Lt. Thomas Medeiros, a retired firefighter and EMT, who is legally blind from wet AMD.

He’ll share practical fire safety and emergency preparedness tips for people living with low vision.

Topics include:

✅ Home fire prevention
✅ Cooking safety
✅ Smoke alarms
✅ Emergency escape planning

Register today. ⤵️

Register for Macular Chats Join us for a series of free monthly telephone discussions from Macular Degeneration Research, a program of BrightFocus Foundation, featuring retina specialists and other eye care professionals who will discuss various aspects...

10/18/2026

Researchers have identified 14 Alzheimer's risk factors that can be changed, spanning every stage of life.

They include hearing loss, high LDL cholesterol, physical inactivity, social isolation, depression, diabetes, and untreated vision loss.

You can act on many of them today. Schedule that overdue eye exam. Get your cholesterol checked. Book a hearing test. Take regular walks.

🧠♥️ Find out more: https://bit.ly/4xiJ8r6

10/16/2026

She lived 10 minutes from her eye clinic. It took her almost a week to get there.

When her vision suddenly changed, the friend who usually drove her was sick. By the time she found a ride, her dry macular degeneration had turned wet, and she lost vision in her better-seeing eye. It wasn’t because she didn’t understand her disease or couldn’t afford care. She just had no way to get there.

Transportation is one of the most overlooked barriers to eye care. In the full episode, we look at how social determinants of health shape vision outcomes. We also talk about Rides in Sight, a free national service that connects people with reliable rides to sight-saving appointments.

Watch the full episode: https://bit.ly/4yiTNCp

10/15/2026

Macular Degeneration Research–funded scientist Charles DeBoer, MD, PhD, is developing an implantable device that delivers wet macular degeneration treatment directly to the abnormal blood vessels that drive vision loss. The goal is to help prevent further damage while reducing the need for frequent eye injections.

Find out more. ⤵️

Grants > A Novel Implantable Device to Treat Wet Macular Degeneration Updated On: Oct 2, 2026 Macular Degeneration Research Grant A Novel Implantable Device to Treat Wet Macular Degeneration Innovative Approaches to Macular Degeneration Treatments Princ...

10/15/2026

⌚ Dr. Paul Newhouse joins us tomorrow to talk about Cobenfy, a schizophrenia drug now being studied in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

He’ll discuss what researchers have learned so far about the drug, also known as KarXT. He’ll also cover what ongoing clinical trials could mean for people living with Alzheimer’s and their families.

🔗 Watch Live. ↘️

Could a breakthrough drug originally approved for schizophrenia hel...

10/14/2026

Every breakthrough starts with a "what if?" and someone willing to invest in possibility.

New evidence shows just how powerful funding those early questions can be. A new independent assessment found that scientists supported by BrightFocus Foundation receive an average of 8 times more follow-on funding after their initial grant. Those early investments have helped fuel discoveries that led to new treatments, diagnostic tools, and risk reduction strategies for Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

BrightFocus funding also serves as a powerful catalyst for keeping research scientists in the lab, driving impressive career trajectories and retention in science for over 93% of respondents.

These findings demonstrate how early philanthropic funding—made possible by our community of generous donors—can unlock many times more for science and accelerate breakthroughs for the millions affected by diseases of mind and sight.

Explore the findings. ↘️

Scientists funded by BrightFocus received an average of 8x more follow-on funding, leading to the development of new treatments, risk reduction strategies, and diagnostic tools.

10/13/2026

Tomorrow! Don't miss this special Glaucoma Chat.

Join Stacy Pagos Haller, president & CEO of BrightFocus Foundation, for an inspiring conversation about her personal experience living with glaucoma.

Hear how her diagnosis shaped her journey, learn about the impact of research on the glaucoma community, and discover why there is reason for hope.

🎧 Listen live. ↘️

Join BrightFocus' Glaucoma Chats live audio streams for expert discussions, patient resources, and the latest updates on glaucoma care and research.

10/11/2026

APOE4 is the strongest common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's. But having it doesn't mean you'll get the disease.

A large clinical trial called FINGER found that exercise, healthy eating, brain training and managing heart health helped protect thinking skills, even in people who carry APOE4.

Watch the full episode and other episodes of Let's Talk Alzheimer's: https://youtu.be/SJ5h-3B9TmE.

Listen to Let's Talk Alzheimer's on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

10/07/2026

Your gut may have more to do with your brain than you think.

BrightFocus Foundation Alzheimer's Disease Research grant recipient Dr. Miguel Moutinho is studying how gut bacteria and niacin production may affect brain health.

His work could point to an entirely new way of treating Alzheimer's disease. Read more. ⤵️

Grants > How is Niacin Production in the Gut Associated with Alzheimer's Disease? Updated On: Oct 2, 2026 Alzheimer's Disease Research Grant How is Niacin Production in the Gut Associated with Alzheimer's Disease? Microbiome Principal Investigator Migue...