Eye conditions | Gift of Sight

Researching Sight Loss

At Gift of Sight, we fund pioneering research into understanding the causes, diagnosis and treatment of sight loss.

Our researchers are investigating a range of eye conditions - many of which can have a profound impact on people’s independence, quality of life, and future living.

By investing in research today, we are helping to develop the treatments for tomorrow.

What are we researching?

We support research into a wide range of eye diseases, including:

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

A leading cause of vision loss, AMD affects the central vision needed for reading, driving and recognising faces.

Research is focused on:

Earlier detection
Slowing progression
Developing new treatments for both dry and wet AMD

Inherited Eye Diseases

Rare genetic conditions can affect vision and lead to significant sight loss.

Research is helping to:

Understand the genetic causes
Develop targeted therapies
Explore new treatments

Children’s Eye Conditions

Eye conditions can affect vision from a very early age, and can impact a child’s development, education and confidence levels.

Research is helping to:

Improve early detection in babies and children
Develop faster and more child-friendly diagnostic tools
Better understand foetal vision development

Corneal Eye Conditions

The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye, and damage or disease can significantly affect vision.

Research focuses on:

Improving diagnosis and treatment of corneal disease
Understanding infections and degenerative conditions
Developing new surgical and therapeutic approaches
Addressing the shortage of donor corneas for transplant.

Why research matters

Eye diseases are often progressive, meaning sight can worsen over time.

For many people, early diagnosis and treatment can make a life-changing difference.

Research helps us to:

Detect conditions earlier
Develop more effective treatments
Improve patient outcomes
Prevent avoidable sight loss

"We can help prevent people from going blind - but only through research" - Professor Andrew Lotery

Looking after your eye health

While research is helping to develop treatments, there are also some steps you can take to protect your vision. Read our Eye Health page for information on signs to look out for, healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of early detection.