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Message from the NAEVR President

Welcome to www.eyeresearch.org, the Web site for the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR), an advocacy organization. With its educational foundation, the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), NAEVR/AEVR serve as the "Friends of the National Eye Institute (NEI)." In 2008, the Alliances celebrated 15 years of leadership for vision research funding.

The 55 professional, consumer and industry organizations that comprise NAEVR are dedicated to advocacy for adequate federal funding of eye and vision research being sponsored by the NEI within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as other key government entities, such as the Department of Defense (DOD), where defense-related vision research has become an important issue.

As you review this Web site, you can learn how past NEI-sponsored basic and translational research is culminating in the possibility of new treatments to prevent the onset of eye disease and restore vision. For example, NEI funded research has resulted in the first generation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to inhibit new blood vessel growth in the "wet" form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Also, gene therapy to treat rare retinal diseases has moved into human clinical trials with initial promising results.

NAEVR commends NIH Director Frances Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and NEI Director Paul Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., for their leadership in trans-NIH activities to accelerate the translation of basic research through clinical trials to benefit the treatment of patients. The NEI, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2009, has had an impressive pipeline of new discoveries emerging from its research that have moved rapidly into clinical trials, resulting in new treatments and therapies that benefit the American people. However, future discoveries will require adequate federal funding within the NIH, generally, and within NEI, specifically, so NAEVR ensures to communicate the value of vision research to as broad an audience as possible.

Concurrent with NEI’s 40th anniversary, AEVR is also launching its Decade of Vision 2010-2020 Initiative, which reflects the growing incidence and economic burden of vision impairment and eye disease, especially as the tidal wave of 78 million Baby Boomers start turning 65 years old—an age of increased risk for eye disease.

You may wish to take full advantage of this site by learning about the value and cost-effectiveness of federally funded eye and vision research and becoming an advocate by contacting your Members of Congress.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Ryan, M.D.
President, NAEVR Board of Directors