Fighting Blindness Vision Research Institute based at DCU
Tuesday 26 February 2008

Michael Griffith, founding member and Chief Executive of the charity, Shaun Menzies, member of the South Pole Expedition team and Dr Finbar O'Sullivan, Senior Researcher, NICB

Irish charity Fighting Blindness today announced a leap forward in its search for a cure for blindness with the launch of its state-of-the-art Fighting Blindness Vision Research Institute - FBVRI. Based in the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology at Dublin City University, the institute has been set up to further advance the patient-led charity’s world-leading work in retinal research.

Fighting Blindness scientists have already made huge strides into finding cures and treatments for blindness. They were the first in the world to identify the gene responsible for forms of inherited blindness and estimate they are just a few years off commencing human clinical trials for certain genetic eye conditions.

The charity, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, funds nine projects around Ireland and its team in Trinity College Dublin is a global leader in its field. The Fighting Blindness Vision Research Institute will bring together world-class scientists working full-time on retinal research and this dedicated team will speed up the search for a cure. The Institute’s work at DCU will look at cellular biology and the use of stem cell technologies for potential therapies. Fighting Blindness is raising money to eventually provide the Institute with its own purpose-built centre, while continuing to fund other research projects in universities around Ireland.

Founding member and Chief Executive of the charity Michael Griffith said it marks a huge achievement for an organisation which started out as a support group for families living with inherited blindness. Mr Griffith said: ‘’Retinal degenerative conditions affect around 65,000 adults and children in Ireland today and over 40 million worldwide. Many suffer partial blindness and without treatment their eyesight will only get worse. Currently there is no known treatment or cure.

“Often the causes of these deteriorating conditions are genetic and as Ireland had many big families it made it easier to trace the genetic course of the diseases here. Fighting Blindness is a great Irish success story – defeating blindness will be one of the great human achievements of history and here in Ireland we are on the cusp of finding a cure.”

President of Dublin City University Prof. Ferdinand von Prondzynski said: “I am very pleased that DCU is able to work with an organisation whose research aims complement some of our specialist interests - it is part of DCU's strategy to connect with other organisations in the pursuit of excellence.”

Fighting Blindness needs to raise at least €2.5 million each year through individual and corporate donations to continue operating at current levels. Play your part in history and get involved by contacting Fighting Blindness on 01 7093050, email info@fightingblindness.ie.