Our alliances had the incredible opportunity to host a Congressional Briefing featuring leaders from the National Eye Institute (NEI) at the Rayburn House Office Building. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, and advocates to learn about the NEI’s groundbreaking work in vision science.
👁️🗨️ Key Highlights:
- Dr. Michael F. Chiang, NEI Director, shared the institute’s vision for eliminating preventable vision loss and advancing treatments to improve quality of life.
- Dr. Kapil Bharti, NEI Scientific Director, presented the latest research breakthroughs, including cutting-edge innovations in regenerative medicine and precision treatments for vision disorders.
- NEI scientists and grantees showcased recent discoveries, demonstrating the power of federally funded research to transform lives.
This event underscored the critical role of the NEI as a standalone institute, dedicated to advancing eye health for millions of Americans.
💡 New Discoveries Highlighted:
- Stem Cell Therapy for Retinal Diseases
- NEI researchers have pioneered the use of stem cells to restore damaged retinal cells, offering hope for conditions like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
- Genetic Therapies
- Breakthroughs in gene-editing technologies are paving the way for treating inherited retinal diseases such as Stargardt disease and Leber congenital amaurosis, offering new avenues for sight restoration.
- Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis
- The NEI has integrated AI tools into vision screening, enabling earlier detection of diseases like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, significantly improving outcomes.
- Insights into Myopia Progression
- NEI-funded studies have revealed environmental and genetic factors contributing to myopia, leading to better strategies for slowing its progression in children.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, ARVO and Research to Prevent Blindness, for making this important discussion possible. Together, we’re advocating for continued funding and support to drive innovation in vision research.
In case you missed it, tune in to watch the replay!
