Foundation Fighting Blindness

09/05/2025

In this week’s episode of the Eye on the Cure podcast, Dr. George Magrath, CEO of Opus Genetics, joins host Ben Shaberman to discuss the company’s journey and exciting progress in advancing gene therapies for multiple inherited retinal diseases — including those caused by mutations in LCA5, BEST1, RHO, RDH12, MERTK, NMNAT1, and CNGB1.

Tune in to learn more about how Opus is driving innovation for the vision loss community — and don’t forget to share this episode with friends, family, and advocates who want to stay informed. https://bit.ly/41y7QGU

Image Description: Dark blue background with Foundation Fighting Blindness logo in the top left and Eye on the Cure Podcast logo in the top right. Teal half circle at the top center with "Ep. 91" inside. Below, text reads, "Listen to the latest podcast episode out now. September 5, 2025." To the left is Ben Shaberman with "Ben Shaberman, Host" beneath. To the right is Dr. George Magrath with " Dr. George Magrath, Guest" below.

09/04/2025

Innovation + inclusion in action: Seattle’s Free 2 Fly run club fills a critical accessibility gap by pairing trained sighted guides with runners who are blind or have low vision. Founded by Ixchel Lemus-Bromley, the club is giving more people in the vision loss community the chance to run safely and confidently.

Learn more about this story and impact in The Seattle Times.

Free 2 Fly, a Seattle-based group serving visually impaired runners, held its first meetup in May and has since grown to 75 members who gather weekly.

09/01/2025

Our fall VisionWalk season is almost here — and we’re kicking it off in Indianapolis on September 13!

Join a powerful movement of families, friends, and supporters coming together to raise awareness and fund research for treatments and cures for blinding diseases.
Whether you walk, donate, or cheer from the sidelines — every step makes a difference. 💙

Register today: www.VisionWalk.org

Video Description: VisionWalkers standing behind two VisionWalk flags and a blue ribbon, counting down until the woman in the middle cuts the ribbon with giant scissors. Once cut, VisionWalkers begin walking through the flags. Text at the top of the screen reads "This and raising funds for vision research."

08/29/2025

Spotlight on Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) 👁️‍🗨️

There is hope. LUXTURNA®—an FDA-approved gene therapy—treats LCA caused by RPE65 mutations. And it's just the beginning.

Promising gene therapies for other LCA-related genes are already in clinical trials, bringing hope to more families every day.

Learn more on our website at: https://bit.ly/4l3aPha

Image Description: Dark blue background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and “Spotlight on Leber Congenital Amaurosis” logos in the top left corner. Text below reads, "LUXTURNA is approved for RPE65-related LCA. More gene therapies are on the way." A blue strand of DNA breaking in half across the bottom.

08/28/2025

Spotlight on Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) 👁️‍🗨️

LCA isn’t caused by just one gene—mutations in at least 25 different genes can lead to this disease. That’s what makes diagnosing and treating LCA so complex—and why genetic testing is a crucial first step in unlocking answers.

Learn more about LCA on our website at: https://bit.ly/4l3aPha

Video Description: Dark blue background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Spotlight on Leber Congenital Amaurosis logos top-left. Text below that reads, "25+ genes can cause LCA. Each mutation tells a different story." A spiraling blue and purple DNA strand at the bottom.

08/27/2025

Spotlight on Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) 👁️‍🗨️

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is one of the most severe forms of inherited retinal disease—and it often appears within the first year of life. This early onset can cause profound vision loss or even blindness in infants.

Through research, we're working toward a brighter future for children and families affected by LCA. 💙

Learn more on our website at: https://bit.ly/4l3aPha

Image Description: Dark blue background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and “Spotlight on Leber Congenital Amaurosis” logos in the top left corner. Text below reads, "Did you know? LCA causes severe vision loss or bllindness—often in the first year of life."

08/26/2025

🐾 Today, on International Dog Day, we're celebrating the extraordinary guide dogs who walk alongside individuals in our community living with blinding diseases.

These dogs provide more than guidance — they offer confidence, freedom, and life-changing connection.

At the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we’re working toward a future without vision loss. While science lights the path, these incredible dogs help lead the way — one step at a time.

https://bit.ly/4oXhGw4

Image Description: Dark blue background with an orange diagonal banner across the top with text that reads, "International Dog Day." Below, text reads "We’re Celebrating with Paws and Purpose." Foundation logo bottom left; right side features a black Labrador Retriever puppy wearing a blue ‘Future Leader Dogs for the Blind’ scarf.

08/25/2025

Spotlight on Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) 👁️‍🗨️

“For so long, I believed research would help someone else, but not me. Now I’m living it.”

Meet Lindsey Rambo: mom, runner, educator, and the first participant in the groundbreaking Opus Genetics gene therapy trial for LCA5.

After decades of uncertainty and vision loss, Lindsey’s story is one of real hope and real progress. From spotting her kids playing in the yard for the first time to inspiring others through advocacy—Lindsey is lighting the path forward for generations to come.

Read her full Beacon Story on the Foundation’s website: https://bit.ly/47CGRNU

Video Description: Lindsey stands indoors in front of an unlit fireplace with several family photos on the mantel and hung on the wall while speaking directly to the camera.

08/21/2025

Making a will is an act of love — for your family, your values, and your vision for the future.

This August, during Make-A-Will Month, consider leaving a gift to the Foundation Fighting Blindness in your will. Your legacy can help drive research that’s changing lives.

Start planning today with our free Estate Planning Guide: www.FightingBlindness.org/estateplanningguide

Image Description: Mother and son laughing together. Text overlay that reads “Your legacy. Their vision. Support future treatments for blinding diseases.” Followed by the Foundation Fighting Blindness logo.

08/20/2025

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) can affect children at a young age, but knowledge opens the door to research, resources, and hope.

Visit FightingBlindness.org to learn how our work is helping children and families impacted by vision loss.

Image Description: White background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness Spotlight on Children's Eye Health and Safety Month logo in the top left. Text below reads "Learn About IRDs in Children." Dark Green banner below with text that reads "Explore resources, stories, and breakthroughs in pediatric retinal research. Illustration of a mother and daughter hugging.

08/19/2025

It’s time for another with Hadley, where we spotlight simple, accessible tech tips to help make everyday life easier for people living with vision loss!

This week, we’re showing you how to turn on dark mode in Facebook—a quick setting that can make screens easier on your eyes, especially for those with light sensitivity, glare issues, or other symptoms caused by blinding diseases. Dark mode offers higher contrast and reduced brightness, making it more comfortable for many users navigating the digital world.

Watch now and stay tuned for more helpful Tech Tip Tuesdays!

Video Description: Begins with the Hadley and Foundation Fighting Blindness logos in the top right, alongside the text “Tech Tip Tuesday” and a finger pointing icon, followed by “Turning on Dark Mode in Facebook.” The Facebook logo appears, then the screen shows Facebook menu options and the step-by-step instructions as they’re narrated. Ends with the logos again and “Learn more at: HadleyHelps.org” and the finger pointing icon below.

08/18/2025

Living with or curious about Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)? Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness for our Quarterly Vision Webinar on Saturday, September 20 at 12 p.m. ET.

In partnership with organizations focused on TED, the Foundation Fighting Blindness provides resources and community connections for those affected by vision loss—while continuing to drive research for blinding retinal diseases.

Hear from top experts in endocrinology and neuro-ophthalmology, plus a personal perspective from a newly diagnosed patient, as we explore the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for TED.

Free to attend — register today! https://bit.ly/47kgDjt

Image Description: Dark blue background with the Foundation Fighting Blindness logo at the top. Below it, the text reads, "Quarterly Vision Webinar, Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), Saturday, September 20, 2025, 12:00 p.m. ET." Geometric lines and a colorful digital wave are featured at the bottom.