Fueling Breakthroughs: Your Support Drives Vision Research

Every clinical trial is a step closer to life-changing treatments for those facing vision loss. The Retina Research Foundation of America is actively funding and supporting groundbreaking research in retinal diseases, from gene therapies to innovative drug treatments.

✨ Your donation helps fund these vital clinical trials, bringing new hope to patients and accelerating the development of treatments that can preserve and restore sight. Together, we can turn research into reality.

Glossary of Terms & Abbreviations

AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration): A progressive eye disease that affects the central portion of the retina, leading to vision loss over time.

CST (Central Subfield Thickness): A measurement of retinal swelling, used to determine treatment effectiveness.

Foveal Involving: This means that the atrophy or damage has reached the fovea, causing significant central vision loss. Patients with Foveal Involving GA often struggle with activities requiring fine detail, such as reading and recognizing faces. Treatments targeting this condition aim to slow progression and preserve remaining vision.

GA (Geographic Atrophy): An advanced stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that leads to vision loss due to the breakdown of retinal cells.

IVT (Intravitreal Injection): A treatment method where medication is injected into the vitreous (gel-like substance) of the eye.

Naïve (Treatment-Naïve): A term used in clinical trials to describe patients who have never received treatment for their condition before.

nAMD (Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration): A form of AMD where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leading to rapid vision loss.

Non-Foveal Involving: This refers to Geographic Atrophy (GA) or other retinal diseases where the affected areas are outside the fovea, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Patients may retain central vision but experience blind spots or peripheral vision difficulties as the disease progresses.

PDS (Port Delivery System): A long-lasting implantable drug reservoir designed to release medication over time, reducing the need for frequent injections.

SC (Subcutaneous Injection): A shot administered under the skin instead of directly into the eye.

Subretinal Injection: A gene therapy technique where medication is delivered under the retina.

Uveitis: A condition causing inflammation inside the eye, which can lead to vision loss if untreated.

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor): A protein that contributes to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, often treated with anti-VEGF drugs.

GA - Non-Foveal Involving

GA - Foveal Involving

GA - Foveal & Non-Foveal Involving

nAMD - Treatment Naïve

nAMD - Non-treatment Naïve & Treatment Naïve

nAMD - Non-treatment Naïve

Uveitis