Finding cures for blinding eye diseases

Gift of Sight is dedicated to funding world-class research into the prevention and treatment of blindness. Our aim is to beat blindness caused by devastating eye diseases and we’re really grateful for any help you can give. Thank you.


The appeal is managed by the University of Southampton, which is an ‘Exempt Charity’ (HMRC reference number X19140) under the terms of the Charities Act 2011. 

Our mission and research goals

Our mission is to help prevent blindness through funding cutting-edge research. Led by Professor Andrew Lotery, the vision research group at the University of Southampton is committed to:

  • Performing world-class research to develop better treatments and prevent blindness.

  • Securing funding to accelerate the pace of research.
  • Training the next generation of academic ophthalmologists and vision scientists.

  • Publishing research findings in leading scientific journals.

  • Collaborating with leading researchers and institutions worldwide on clinical trials and knowledge sharing.  

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to hear about research discoveries, news from the team and ways you can get involved in helping to prevent sight loss. We send just three newsletters a year. Copies of our latest newsletters can be found here.

“Without research there is no hope, and without hope there is no future.”

Carol, living with AMD

Dedicated areas of vision research 

Our dedicated vision scientists are investigating common blinding eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), inherited retinal diseases, children’s eye conditions and corneal infections and diseases.

“Research is the only way we can stop people going blind – but we need funding to make it happen”

Professor Andrew Lotery
Russell Tribe sat in a chair

Raising awareness of the lack of funding for eye research

Please watch our video interviewing an AMD patient and Professor Lotery, explaining the impact of the treatment he has received as a result of the research advances.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do anything like the things I’ve done for the last 10 years, had it not been for research”

Appeal by Professor Andrew Lotery

Ways to get involved