Donor Information

Research to Reverse the Rising Tide of Blinding Eye Disorders:

  Vision scientists at Cornea Research Foundation of America are pursuing world-class clinical research and physician/patient education to reverse the rising tide of blinding eye disorders.  Our comprehensive databases and prolific publication of the latest innovations in ocular medical and surgical techniques offer a unique resource for ophthalmologists worldwide.

  Our mission was established in 1988 by our founder, Dr. Francis Price, Jr., M.D., a respected entrepreneur with a passion for discovering new surgical techniques and treatments that sustain long-term visual recovery after corneal transplantation.  His committment to the preservaton and restoration of vision is demonstrated by his status as having performed the largest number of small incision cornea transplants in the world. This new cornea-sparing transplant can help those with Fuch's Dystrophy or endothelial dysfunction have rapid visual recovery in a few weeks without suture problems or difficulties with astigmatism.

  Although not as commonly publicized as kidney or heart transplant surgery, corneal transplant surgery is the most widely performed transplant surgery today. The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye that can become clouded, distorted or scarred by injury, disease or hereditary defects. A condition termed keratoconus, a thinning of the cornea that can lead to
severe nearsightedness or astigmatism, is one of the most common reasons for corneal transplants in North America. CRFA is conducting a study to determine the cause of this vision-robbing condition.

  About 120 million Americans wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the most common of all vision problems: nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. These are called refractive errors and affect the cornea. CRFA has participated in many multi-center studies and sponsored single site studies to develop more effective treatments in this area, including the use of corneal inserts to allow those over the age of 45 to regain reading vision.

  Cornea Research Foundation of America depends solely on donations from individuals, organizations, and grants. Please consider us when making your charitable giving decisions this year and help us continue to make advances in the treatment and elimination of vision loss and eye disease. We invite your partnership in making a difference.

Ways You Can Donate to the Foundation:

The most popular ways for individuals or corporations to donate include:

* Unrestricted donations (donors do not specify how the donation will be applied)
* Study-specific donations (donors specify their donation be applied to a particular study or project)
* Planned gift through a Charitable Trust (donors set aside a portion of their estate and designate the Foundation as the recipient)
* Gift of appreciated stock or property (stocks or property are donated directly into an account held at Goelzer Investment Management for the Foundation, and donors avoid tax liability)

**Your Donations are Tax Deductible.**
The Cornea Research Foundation of America is a not-for-profit educational organization, exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors may deduct contributions as provided by law.  Federal Identification Number 31-1243592.