Glaucoma Research Foundation

Program: Program Overview

Program Description:

Core programs include: (1) Aggressively stimulate and support research that is innovative and collaborative and has breakthrough potential through its Shaffer Fund for Innovative Glaucoma Research and funding its Catalyst For a Cure research consortium. Research funds are leveraged to bring outstanding new scientists into glaucoma research while also finding critical resource gaps that slow progress. (2) Assist patients and their families in coping with glaucoma by providing free resources, such as the booklet "Understanding and Living with Glaucoma", a quarterly newsletter, "Gleams," a toll-free information and support line, and a website that is a model of accessibility for the vision impaired, www.glaucoma.org.

Program Long-Term Success:

Overall, awarded $1.24 million in grant funds, including: a. Catalyst For a Cure (CFC) research consortium. The overriding goal of CFC is to speed the pace of discovery for a cure by departing from the old academic model of a lone scientist working in isolation by bringing together four uniquely skilled laboratories from four different distinguished universities to work in real time collaboration. In this past year the CFC team has seen the completion of several important studies including our first interventional trials. These brought initial validation of several of the hypotheses that we proposed in 2006 and even earlier. In addition, we have generated new findings and new tools, many of which offer promise for therapeutic interventions. In 2007, the CFC team generated the following findings: i. Retinal ganglion cells change early and slowly, making the cells atrophy, both in size and in the expression of key functional genes required to maintain their connection to the brain. This process likely involves oxidative damage -- antioxidants may have helpful effects in promoting cell survival in the retina. ii. Microglia are involved in the early stages of glaucoma (perhaps contributing to the slow progressive atrophy of retinal ganglion cells), as well as in the late stages, perhaps mediating the spread of the disease from focal to widespread. iii. Blocking pressure receptor molecules protect ganglion cells.

Program Short-Term Success:

Program Success Monitored by:

Program Success Examples: