Message from the President
Welcome. We hope our web site will make it easy for you to find the information you need, and provide helpful answers to many of your questions about glaucoma.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation's mission is to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education, and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Since Dr. Robert Shaffer, a glaucoma specialist, started the Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) in 1978, our donors have contributed more than $50 million toward patient education and research to find a cure for glaucoma.
In recent years tremendous progress has been made toward understanding the causes and mechanisms of glaucoma. A ground-breaking study sponsored by GRF has helped ophthalmologists understand normal tension glaucoma and the role of intraocular pressure in nerve damage.
Listen to an interview with Thomas M. Brunner:
Research to Find a Cure
2012 was the 11th year of a collaborative research program called Catalyst for a Cure. This innovative, multidisciplinary research program brings together scientists from different research institutions and specialties to address the root cause of glaucoma. The team continues to work effectively together, contributing new ideas to the effort to find a cure for glaucoma.
In addition to Catalyst for a Cure, the Glaucoma Research Foundation funds research through our Shaffer Grants, individual grants awarded to scientists pursuing novel and promising ideas in the field of glaucoma research which otherwise might be overlooked or go unexplored.
Educational Resources
We are proud of our comprehensive booklet, Understanding and Living with Glaucoma, and I encourage you to order a copy for yourself, or a relative or friend. In addition, there are more free informative articles and brochures available from the Foundation. Check out the rest of our web site to learn about our educational and research activities.
Glaucoma 360
In 2011, Glaucoma Research Foundation launched Glaucoma 360, a series of three events uniting research, industry, and philanthropy with one mission — to find a cure for glaucoma. It begins with the Catalyst for a Cure annual fundraising gala to benefit GRF and our mission to fund innovative research and provide education and support for glaucoma patients and their caregivers. Day 2 of Glaucoma 360 is our New Horizons Forum — a full day of presentations, panels and discussions with CEOs from start-up companies, industry executives, ophthalmic leaders, venture capitalists and the FDA. This unique gathering unites these catalysts dedicated to speeding the translation of new ideas to improved therapies for glaucoma patients. On day 3, the Glaucoma Symposium CME is a half-day symposium for clinicians that highlights the latest advances in glaucoma management, medications and surgical technique.
Help Us Find a Cure
If you have found our web site and information helpful, I hope you will consider a donation to help us continue our efforts. You can contribute online or send a check to support further education and research to find a cure.
Lastly, if you have questions or suggestions please call or send me an e-mail. I look forward to learning how we can be more effective in our efforts to help.
Thomas M. Brunner
President and CEO
Glaucoma Research Foundation
