Members of congress introduce bill to fund eye research

Bipartisan sponsors introduced legislation to the House that would generate $1 billion in loans to fund new projects focused on translational research in eye care disease and treatment.

According to a press release from the National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (NAEVR), Congressmen Pete Sessions (R-Texas), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) sponsored the Faster Treatments and Cures for Eye Diseases Act, HR 6421. Supported by the NAEVR, this legislation would help finance loan packages through “Eye Bonds.” In the pilot phase, this legislation would generate $1 billion over 4 years, although yearly project funding would not exceed $250 million. Additionally, the allocation of funds would be determined by underwriters, and programs eligible for funding would be investigated and evaluated by the NEI.

“Bench to bedside” translational research into all aspects of vision is the primary focus, and the Eye Bonds will fund research projects exploring retinal diseases, cornea and optic nerve conditions, glaucoma, and eye injuries experienced by wounded veterans, according to the release.

NAEVR has emphasized the importance of funding vision research and believes the eye bond legislation will help advance vision treatment options. According to the release, NAEVR, the Foundation Fighting Blindness and other vision community partners are working to support the legislation by recruiting more cosponsors and urging further support during Capitol Hill Advocacy Days.

“We commend each of you as cosponsors for having the ‘vision’ to create a new approach to making private eye and vision research funding dollars available that can result in new therapies to ensure the vision health of all Americans, thereby enabling productive, independent and quality lives,” NAEVR President Peter McDonnell, MD, said in a letter to the eye bond legislation cosponsors.