BrightFocus scientific milestones

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Bold Research

BrightFocus has invested nearly $300 million in research grants, catalyzing thousands of scientific breakthroughs, life-enhancing treatments, and diagnostic tools.

Explore Breakthroughs

Focus on Breakthroughs

Learn about bold ideas and the latest research advancements to diagnose, slow the progression, treat, and ultimately cure these diseases.

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A collage of colorful brain scans.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Breaking News Dispatch: A Non-Invasive Alzheimer's Treatment, Early Detection, and More

A senior man with glasses having trouble reading something on his laptop.
Macular Degeneration Research

​​New Research Links Blue Light to Macular Degeneration Risk, Antioxidants May Offer Hope​

Abstract artwork of a red brain surrounded by vibrant, intertwining blood vessels and neural pathways in red, blue, and pink.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Could Finding and Treating Tiny Blood Clots in the Brain Delay Alzheimer’s?

Jennifer Fan Gaskin, MBChB, MD, FRANZCO (far right) with her research team in the lab.
BrightFocus Foundation

2024 Research Portfolios Now Available

Group photo of speakers, chairs, and event organizers of BrightFocus Foundation’s 16th annual Alzheimer’s Fast Track.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus Workshop Helps Shape Future Alzheimer’s Leaders

A heartwarming moment between an elderly woman and her adult daughter. Both have white hair, and they are smiling warmly at each other, with their foreheads touching in a loving gesture. The scene conveys tenderness and closeness, set in a bright, cozy indoor environment.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Reduce Your Dementia Risk: Two New Risk Factors Identified

A vibrant 3D rendering of an iris, with multicolored light strands radiating from the dark pupil. The colors range from blue and green to orange and yellow, creating a dynamic, futuristic look.
National Glaucoma Research

Helping the Eye Repair Itself: New Study Offers Clues to Restoring Vision Lost to Glaucoma

BrightFocus logo thumbnail.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus Foundation Receives $3.2 Million Grant for Alzheimer’s Research

Illustration of a heart and brain, each with legs, swinging towards each other on trapezes in the sky, reaching out as if to connect.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Treating the Heart, Protecting the Brain

2024 Annual Report cover image.
BrightFocus Foundation

Today’s Investments, Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs: 2024 Annual Report Highlights Scientific Progress

Dr. Xiaorong Liu, National Glaucoma Research grant recipient.
National Glaucoma Research

Exploring How Glaucoma Affects Mood and Sleep Problems

Miguel Flores Bellver, PhD in a lab looking into a microscope.
Macular Degeneration Research

Exosomes: The New Frontier in Early Detection of Macular Degeneration

Sweet little girl with her mother and grandmother.
Macular Degeneration Research

Investigational Eye Drop for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration Enters Phase 2 Clinical Trial

Digital 3D rendering of a neutrophil— a type of white blood cell found to interact with another immune cell in the brain.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Why APOE4 Makes Women More Susceptible to Alzheimer’s

Dr. Bingrui Wang and Dr. Ian Sigal in the laboratory looking at a computer monitor displaying microscopic imagery.
National Glaucoma Research

Investigating Eye Pressure to Prevent Glaucoma-Related Vision Loss

Dr. Maximilian Pfau (left) and doctoral student Georg Ansari (right) in Dr. Pfau’s laboratory at the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel in Switzerland.
Macular Degeneration Research

How an Innovative Night Vision Test Could Enable Earlier Detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Blood drop
Alzheimer's Disease Research

What’s Next for Alzheimer’s Diagnostic Tests?

MRI brain scans in a grid layout.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Breaking News Dispatch: Alzheimer’s International Conference

A senior couple taking a cheerful selfie outdoors.
National Glaucoma Research

Experimental Drug Could Improve Vision in Glaucoma

A senior woman in a wheelchair celebrates her 100th birthday with some cake and her cheerful family around her.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Centenarian Study Uncovers Gene Variants That Shield Against Alzheimer’s

A senior african american couple enjoy an evening on the town with ice cream.
Macular Degeneration Research

Inflammation and Sex Differences Could Hold Clues to Macular Degeneration

Branch-like neurons in blue with amyloid plaques shown as purple cotton-like structures.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s Treatment

BrightFocus Concert for Cures
BrightFocus Foundation

Global Brain and Vision Research Nonprofit Hosts Inaugural Concert for Cures Celebrating Science

Senior couple outdoors smiling and laughing while embracing each other.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Upcoming Alzheimer’s Drug Receives Unanimous Support from FDA Advisory Committee

Zoom in on Dementia & Alzheimer's: Clinical Research wordmark with tagline "Ask Questions Live!"
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus Foundation Expands Popular Alzheimer’s Information Series to Focus on Clinical Research

A senior man having trouble sleeping in bed using phone and wearing glasses.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Study Links Alzheimer’s Onset to Sleep Disruption and Degeneration of Key Brain Region

A woman having an eye examination.
National Glaucoma Research

New Study Reveals Health Disparities in Glaucoma Care

Macular Degeneration Research

Could Improving Blood Flow to the Eye Unlock Future Treatments for Macular Degeneration?

Dr. José Cunha-Vaz receives the 2024 Helen Keller Prize from Keller Johnson-Thompson, great-grand niece of Helen Keller.
BrightFocus Foundation

José Cunha-Vaz Named 2024 Helen Keller Laureate by BrightFocus Foundation, Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education

2024 award recipients with BrightFocus staff.
BrightFocus Foundation

BrightFocus Foundation Recognizes Innovators in Vision Research

Current Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient Yara Lechanteur, MD, PhD
BrightFocus Foundation

BrightFocus Foundation Announces $10M in New Funding Across Brain and Vision Research, Celebrates Historic Diversity of Grant Award Recipients

MRI image of a brain injury.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus-Funded Potential Treatment for Major Alzheimer’s Risk Factors Advances in Clinical Trials

Brain scans on a black background.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Driving Innovation in Diagnosis and Treatment: Alzheimer’s Disease Research Roundup

A blue brain with a blue background.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Breaking News Dispatch: International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Vials of blood on a rack.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

BrightFocus-Supported C2N Diagnostics Receives Transformative Follow-On Funding to Expand Access to Alzheimer’s Blood Test

An elderly man smiling looking up at doctor as she holds his hand.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Moving Away from Alzheimer’s Anti-Amyloid Therapies

A digital rendering of a T-cell with the appearance of a blue ball covered in short, noodle-like structures.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

New Study Finds Changes to Blood Immune Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease

John Whyte, MD, MPH and Stacy Haller.
Macular Degeneration Research

Researching Risks and Restoration for Geographic Atrophy

Tara Tracy, PhD
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Researcher Discovers a Potential Way to Repair Synapses Damaged in Alzheimer’s Disease, Restore Memory

Four scientists in a group photo wearing their lab coats.
BrightFocus Foundation

Explore How BrightFocus Foundation is Working to End Mind and Sight Diseases Through the Power of Research

African American woman looking out window of doctor's office.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Alzheimer’s Drug Aduhelm to Be Discontinued

Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD in the lab.
Macular Degeneration Research

Unlocking Secrets of Waste Disposal in the Eye

Elderly couple embracing happily at dinner table.
National Glaucoma Research

FDA Approves First-of-its-Kind Glaucoma Treatment

World Geographic Atrophy Day logo.
Macular Degeneration Research

BrightFocus Foundation and Vision Loss Advocacy Groups Partners Declare December 5 as World Geographic Atrophy Day

Older man looking at smart watch.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Wearable Devices Detect Circadian Disturbances That Predict Frailty Risk in Older Adults (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Student participants at the 2023 Alzheimer’s Fast Track workshop smiling together.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Immersive Workshop Trains Next Generation of Alzheimer’s Researchers

Tonya Matthews, PhD
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Commentary: Health Equity for African Americans Demands Diversity in Clinical Trials

Cross section of eye showing the location of Schelm's canal near the front of the eye.
National Glaucoma Research

Breakthrough Discovery Reveals New Pathway to Lowering Eye Pressure

Girl hugging Grandmother with glasses from behind the sofa.
Macular Degeneration Research

Possible Stargardt Disease Treatment Shows Promise

50 Years of Bold Research annual report cover.
BrightFocus Foundation

2023 Annual Report Commemorates 50 Years of Breakthrough Research

Macular Fast Track 2023 wordmark thumbnail.
Macular Degeneration Research

Global Gathering of Vision Researchers Tackle Macular Degeneration

Woman having an eye exam.
BrightFocus Foundation

This World Sight Day, BrightFocus Foundation Highlights Low Vision Resources, Community Support

Microglia (green branch-like structures) in a healthy adult mouse retina. Credit: Wai T. Wong, National Eye Institute, NIH.
National Glaucoma Research

Blocking a “Master Switch” in the Eye’s Immune Cells to Treat Glaucoma

Veteran father in uniform embracing son holding American flag after coming home.
Alzheimer's Disease Research

Updated Drug Could Treat Traumatic Brain Injuries Linked to Increased Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease

International African American Museum showcasing a courtyard with some palm trees and a walkway.
BrightFocus Foundation

International African American Museum, BrightFocus Foundation Present Film Screening and Panel on Health Equity on Oct. 13

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration sign.
Macular Degeneration Research

FDA Approves New Dose of Existing Drug to Treat Macular Degeneration

Our 360° Approach to Research

Funding revolutionary research and first-in science into diseases of mind and sight.

Sequencing photo showing the order of the DNA's base structures.

Alzheimer's Disease Research

We hear hope firsthand from scientists about their progress toward innovative tools and technologies, which provide earlier and more accurate diagnoses and treatments.

Two researchers working in a lab.

Macular Degeneration Research

We see hope in the eyes of the young, promising scientists who each year have their research ideas and "what-ifs" accelerated through our Fast Track programs and fellowship awards.

A doctor's hands typing on a laptop with a stethoscope beside it on a table.

National Glaucoma Research

We find hope in the notes we receive from those who say that BrightFocus gave them clear, trusted information to better understand and manage their health.

We're here for you.

Find out how BrightFocus is making an impact in the community.

Collage of doctors speaking with patient, scientist in lab, senior woman smiling, woman getting eye exam, woman with her grandchildren, and scientists working in lab.

Educational Resources and Community Outreach

We empower people facing Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma and their loved ones with free expert resources, community events, film screenings, audio and video programming, and so much more.

Join an upcoming conversation with brain and eye experts, live or on-demand:

  • BrightFocus Chats: Accessible audio podcast conversations about treatments, research breakthroughs, news, and tips for living with macular degeneration and glaucoma.

  • Zoom in on Dementia & Alzheimer’s: An interactive video deep dive into brain health information and the latest breakthroughs with leading experts.

All News & Events
Phil Gutis, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.
See Phil's Story →

Driving Public Awareness

BrightFocus Foundation reaches millions of people worldwide through its public outreach and free expert information around brain and eye health.   

Recent campaigns have raised national awareness about ways to reduce one’s risk, manage, and care for Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. BrightFocus offers helpful resources to get started, available both digitally and in print.

Alzheimer’s resources
Macular resources 
Glaucoma resources

Donate to Cure Diseases of Mind and Sight

Support groundbreaking research worldwide to end Alzheimer’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

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Get Involved

Ways to Support Our Work

  • Help Find a Cure
  • Take Part in a Clinical Trial
  • Partner with Us
  • Donor-Advised Funds
  • Planned Giving
  • IRA Charitable Rollover
  • Gifts of Stocks and Bonds
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Help Find a Cure

Every 65 seconds, another person in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease. Glaucoma and macular degeneration affect millions of Americans, robbing them of their vision and independence.

Donate
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Take Part in a Clinical Trial

Clinical trials are key to advancing medical science, breakthroughs, treatments, and cures. And volunteers are vital. Learn more about the clinical trial process and find a clinical trial nearest you. 

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Partner with Us

Join us! We work with array of public and private companies who share our values and commitment to end these diseases. BrightFocus is a great partner.

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Donor-Advised Funds

We make it easy to set up a donor-advised fund (DAF) with BrightFocus Foundation. This giving option offers flexibility and favorable tax benefits too.

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Planned Giving

Focus on your legacy. A planned gift with BrightFocus is a lasting investment in a brighter future.

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IRA Charitable Rollover

Make a big difference. If you are 70 ½ or older, an IRA charitable rollover is an easy way to make big impact in support of our mission.

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Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to BrightFocus Foundation.

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