Our Vision That eye and vision research is adequately supported through funding and other resources, in order to achieve advancements in pediatric eye and vision health.

What We Know

• The knowledge base cited throughout this report and which serves as the basis for our vision preservation efforts is supported by laboratory, clinical and/or epidemiological research.




• There exists a relative lack of epidemiology in the area of pediatric vision and eye health.




• If a child becomes visually impaired, the additional costs for medical visits, home modifications and lost productivity are estimated at $601,000 over the child’s lifetime.¹




• The Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG), formed in 1997 and funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), exists as a collaborative network dedicated to facilitating multicenter clinical research in strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders that affect children.²




• Recent scientific advances, such as those related to the impact of gene therapy on visual function in Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), highlight the important role of research in advancing and introducing treatment options for relatively rare eye conditions. ^3,4




• Almost every major breakthrough in eye disease research has resulted from the support of the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health through the funding it receives from Congress.⁵ Examples include:
• Using gene therapy, NEI-funded researchers have restored sight in dogs born blind with a severe form of retinitis pigmentosa that affects infants.⁶




• A new computerized risk assessment model developed by NEI-supported researchers proved effective in identifying low birth-weight, premature infants at the highest risk of developing severe vision loss from retinopathy of prematuriy. This new model enables doctors to treat in the earliest stages of disease, thereby saving vision.⁷




• NEI clinical trials have established the value of eye patching and drug regimens for amblyopia.⁸

Our Positions

Prevent Blindness America is committed to promoting laboratory, clinical and epidemiological pediatric eye and vision research. This is accomplished primarily through the mobilization of grassroots expressions of support to Congress for protecting and increasing funding for vision research through the NEI and the CDC.

We also believe in directly contributing to research initiatives through the Prevent Blindness America Investigator Awards, which annually support clinically-based research investigating public health issues related to the burden of illness of eye-related health and safety topics.⁹

Our Efforts

In the best interests of the nation’s children, Prevent Blindness America commits to advancing research regarding children’s vision and eye health and safety by:

1. Continuing and strengthening our grassroots advocacy efforts to increase funding for federal pediatric eye and vision health research initiatives, including those at the NEI and the CDC.




2. Ensuring our own public education materials and vision screening protocols reflect the most current scientifically-validated information and approaches.




3. Continuing to observe Vision Research Month in June of each year as a part of our annual observance calendar, in an effort to build nationwide appreciation and support for the role of eye and vision health research in improving the quality of life for all Americans.




4. Supporting efforts to advance research for rare vision disorders, such as Project 3000, an initiative devoted to finding the causes of and treatments for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA).




5. Continuing funding research through the Prevent Blindness America Investigator Awards, which provide funding for clinically-based research investigating public health issues related to the burden of illness of eye-related health and safety topics. All research grants must focus on preserving sight and preventing blindness.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Economic costs associated with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, and vision impairment – United States, 2003. MMWR 2004;53(3):57-59.
2. Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group. http://public.pedig.jaeb.org.
3. Bainbridge JWB, Smith AJ, Barker SS, et al. Effect of gene therapy on visual function in Leber's congenital amaurosis. N Engl J Med. 2008;358.
4. Maguire AM, Simonelli F, Pierce EA, et al. Safety and efficacy of gene transfer for Leber's congenital amaurosis. N Engl J Med. 2008;358.
5. National Eye Institute. Progress in Eye and Vision Research 1999-2006. http://ntis.library.gatech.edu/handle/123456789/2267.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Prevent Blindness America. Prevent Blindness America Investigator Award. http://www.preventblindness.org/research/investigator_award.htm.