Fight for Sight and RCOphth fund eye condition research

Fight for Sight and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) have funded research for Tanzanian Endemic Optic Neuropathy.

A total of 40,000 people between the ages of 10-39 years old are affected by the condition in East Africa. Dr Frederick Burgess has been awarded with the Fight for Sight and RCOphth John Lee Primer Fellowship award, which will help him to study damages in the mitochondria as this can result in the condition.

Dr Neil Ebenezer, director of research, policy and innovation at Fight for Sight, said: ‘This study is vital to help preserve the sight of the young East African population. It’s imperative that investigative research is performed to understand the cause of this condition, which is currently unknown. By awarding Dr Burgess a Primer Fellowship award, it will ensure that the genetic and environmental causes are determined. The knowledge gained will be applied to the development of therapies for patients.’