Research & Innovation

Research to Prevent Blindness continues its support of ophthalmology research at UAB

To date, RPB has awarded UAB $5,245,000 in grants, which helped bolster the department’s research activities, including the purchase of equipment, lab supplies, and salaries for new and existing research faculty.
Written by: Leah Glenn
Media contact: Adam Pope


blind.2Photography: University Relations/Steve WoodThe University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has received a $115,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding diseases.

“The generous support from Research to Prevent Blindness to the UAB vision research program is integral to the growth in our research mission, funding critical projects to bring cures for blinding eye disease,” said Christopher A. Girkin, M.D., MSPH, EyeSight Foundation of Alabama chair, and professor and chairman of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. 

Vision research at UAB includes studies of amblyopia, retinal surgery techniques, retinal detachment following macular surgery, age-related macular degeneration, and ocular trauma caused by pressurized bottles and by paintball pellet war games.

RPB is the leading nonprofit organization supporting eye research. Since its founding in 1960, RPB has channeled more than $383 million for research into all blinding eye diseases. To date, RPB has awarded UAB with grants totaling $5,245,000, which has helped bolster the department’s research activities, including the purchase of equipment, lab supplies, and salaries for new and existing research faculty.

back to top