Discovery Eye Foundation: Dedicated to Eye Health

The Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF) was founded in 1970 with the three-fold mission of facilitating the development of cures for eye disorders; improving patient care via research into the cornea and retinal; and the conduct of educational programs related to eye disease. The foundation achieves its mission through:

• Providing monetary support for groundbreaking corneal and retinal research; and
• Establishing multinational support and outreach programs for people afflicted with one of the numerous eye diseases

DEF has established two foundations for this mission, too, namely:

• The Macular Degeneration Partnership

The foundation supports innovative research into macular degeneration especially research groups involved in finding new treatments, even a cure, for the disease. The general public can also avail of its educational resources regarding the disease and, in the process, take the appropriate measures to manage it.

• The National Keratoconus Foundation

The foundation has also established the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF), an outreach program with a two-fold mission, too, namely: increasing the awareness and understanding of the general public about keratoconus and supporting scientific research into the risk factors, causes, and treatment of the disease.

Founded in 1986 via a grant from DEF, NKCF was created to fill in the gaps of information that patients diagnosed with keratoconus complained about in the course of finding better management options. NKCF was created with the express goals of providing support including the latest information to patients and their families as well as eye care professionals; providing support programs including educational materials for people who want a better understanding of the eye disease; and providing support and encouragement for researchers toward working together in discovering new treatments.

DEF provides the informational and educational support through a variety of ways including websites, regular newsletters, free publications, and support groups as well as telephone access available for healthcare professionals.