Retinopathy, or new blood vessel formation in the eye, is a leading cause of blindness. The goal of the research team was to study molecular pathways of retinopathy and find ways to block it. Doctors from five different medical centers coordinated their efforts to develop treatments, and several blocking drugs have proven to be effective in clinical studies, leading to clinical trials for evaluation of two new drugs.

The current participating researchers are Dr. Donald Senger of Beth Israel Hospital (Boston), Dr. Steven Bernstein of the National Institute of Health, Dr. Ann Hellstrom of Goteborg University and Dr. Lois Smith of Children's Hospital Boston. Past participants are Dr. Lloyd Aiello of Joslin Diabetes Center (Boston), Dr. Eric Pierce of Children's Hospital (Boston) and Dr. Philip Rosenfeld of University of Miami School of Medicine.

The Foundation has completed its funding of this research project, but the collaborative continues with funding from government and pharmaceutical sources.

For more information call: (617) 919-2529