National Eye Research Centre

The Centre, which opened in 1986, meets a national need for increased research into eye disabilities and diseases and the prevention of blindness. The Centre is based in the Bristol Eye Hospital and there is a branch covering Yorkshire based in St James’s Hospital in Leeds. Research is also supported in an increasing number of establishments throughout the United Kingdom.

• The research supported by the Centre covers all the more frequent causes of sight loss and some of the rarer conditions, but it is always established that only new lines of research are investigated which may be complimentary to research in other establishments so that duplication is avoided.

• Support is given to the country’s principal Eye Bank based in Bristol, which provides corneas to hospitals throughout the country. Much research is being carried out into the causes of corneal graft rejection. Research into dry eye condition and the part played by mucines in the eye will lead to improved treatments as will genetic research. A number of different aspects of glaucoma are being investigated including new ways of treating and managing this all too frequent cause of sight loss. Stem cell research to restore cell damage to the retina is developing new treatments for macular degeneration.

• It is only successful research that will reduce the number of people of all ages suffering with eye problems who will benefit from the work of the Centre.