Research and Development

The Importance of Eyesight Research.

We sometimes forget that every surgical procedure and every life-changing therapy once began as research. For the millions living with blinding eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma—conditions which steal eyesight from over 350 million people worldwide—there’s hope that these diseases will one day be part of the past, not our children’s future.

Research takes time to translate to patient care, but the time to act is now. Because losing vision isn’t just about losing sight—it’s about losing independence, connection, and the ability to fully participate in life. It can also lead to isolation, depression, and even higher mortality rates. This is why our work matters.

We Envision a More Hopeful Future.

Betty has always been independent, active, and enjoyed a wide community of friends and activities from book club to church involvement. That is, until she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Now Betty relies on family and friends (and her trusty trekking pole) to navigate safely from place to place.

Read Her Story

Betty’s Story

Now Betty relies on family and friends (and her trusty trekking pole) to navigate safely from place to place. She utilizes various tools to help her with everyday activities, including various lights she always keeps with her, assisting with restaurant menus, and the ability to better see meals on her plate, or the cream for the coffee in her mug. While she still attends her book club, reading is an ongoing challenge.

And the most difficult part for Betty’s family is knowing there is no hope she will get better. Currently, there is no cure for AMD, and the treatments are painful, limited, and only slow the progression of the disease. Betty hopes that one day there will be a cure for AMD, long before her granddaughters ever face the possibility of an AMD diagnosis.

We envision a more hopeful future for people like Betty. With research, we can make this vision a reality for Betty and countless others like her.

How Innovation Advances Our Mission to Restore Sight.

At Advancing Sight Network, we’re not just a non-profit—we’re a mission-driven community united by purpose: to preserve and restore eyesight through research and scientific discovery. What sets us apart is our infrastructure and partnerships. We’ve built cutting-edge labs and developed strong global partnerships to rapidly move promising therapies from the lab to those who need them most.

We collaborate with some of the world’s leading academic medical centers—the Cleveland Clinic, Yale University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our work also connects with pharmaceutical companies and biotech innovators to bring new drugs and devices to those in need.

How You Can Help.

You have the power to make a lasting difference. Registering as an eye donor can help create a future without vision loss. Every breakthrough to combat blinding diseases begins with the selfless gift of someone like you donating their eyes for research. Donated human eye tissue is essential for advancing research and developing cures—and your generosity could help unlock the answers scientists around the world are searching for.