Ophthalmology department receives Research to Prevent Blindness grant

August 17, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Research to Prevent Blindness has awarded an unrestricted research grant of $100,000 to the University of Florida College of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding diseases.

“This grant from RPB helps to support our cutting-edge research, particularly in the area of retinal degenerations, including macular degeneration,” said department Chairman Dr. William T. Driebe, who will direct the research. “We are appreciative of the continuing support of RPB and the confidence they have placed in our research team.”

RPB is the world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. To date, the organization has awarded grants totaling more than $3.3 million to the UF College of Medicine.

Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions throughout the United States for research into all blinding eye diseases. For information on RPB, RPB-funded research, eye disorders and the RPB Grants Program, go to www.rpbusa.org.