About Us
Annual Report
2009 Annual Report
Mission: To give people back the use of their eyes through Research, Innovation, Service to Humanity and Education of doctors.
Executive Director’s Report from Marianne Price, Ph.D.
We envision a future where many corneal problems are detected early, before they can cause debilitating vision loss. We’re investigating what causes the most prevalent corneal problems, such as Fuchs dystrophy and keratoconus, and we’re developing treatments that address the underlying problem, instead of just treating the symptoms. We’re also improving cornea transplant techniques by developing methods that are more targeted and less invasive, so that patients recover vision faster. We have trained over 500 surgeons from 19 countries in advanced transplant techniques so that people around the world can benefit.
Currently there is a worldwide shortage of donor corneas. To address this need, we are developing techniques to expand tissue from a single donor cornea so that it can help multiple patients. Eventually we hope to use a patient’s own adult stem cells to replace damaged areas of the cornea and eliminate the risk of graft rejection.
Glaucoma problems caused by high pressure in the eye often go hand in hand with cornea problems. We are investigating more effective ways to control pressure in the eye without damaging the cornea. In addition, we all would like eye medications to last longer and be easier to use. So we are evaluating slow-release drug implants that can reliably release medicine right where it’s needed in the eye for long periods of time.
Helping people regain vision and return to a normal life is an immensely rewarding endeavor made possible through the dedication of our staff and the generous support of our donors!
Report from the President, Francis W. Price, Jr. M.D.
When I founded the non-profit Cornea Research Foundation of America in 1988, I envisioned a world class research and development organization that would serve doctors and patients around the globe. It has been a long and exciting journey and my dreams for what the Foundation could accomplish have become more real with each passing year. Our hard work and efforts over the past twenty-one years have been rewarded in many different ways, most importantly with the service to our patients, awards from Indiana University School of Business and the Indianapolis Business Journal, and recognition within the field of ophthalmology.
2009 has been a breakthrough year for us across our four pillars: research, innovation, service to humanity and education of doctors and patients. We have participated in clinical research studies that have helped provide more comfortable sight for those born without irises or whose irises have been damaged, and new hope for those whose sight is failing through cataracts, glaucoma or other challenging vision problems. Through it all, we have enjoyed our work; seeing someone regain sight after years of lonely darkness brings an inner peace that is hard to describe. It keeps us all humble and inspires us and we are honored to help.
Our successes demonstrate that we have a clear vision of the future, sufficient determination and entrepreneurial spirit to convert that vision to reality and a terrific Board of Directors. Our talented clinical staff is dedicated to our mission to “give people back the use of their eyes”. We are looking forward to continuing to serve people by easing their suffering and changing their lives for the better in the years to come.
Expenses and Income Pie Charts
From Clifton Gunderson, LLP Accountant’s Report,
July 28, 2009
Board of Directors Roster
Jim Butler, retired, U.S. Steel
Pat Chastain, retired, Vice President Indianapolis Water Company
Michael Dickerson, Vice President Huntington Bank Private Investment Group
Phil Gibson, retired, Eli Lilly and Interim Director, Better Business Bureau
Walter Gross, Jr., Goelzer Investment Management
Bill Grube, President, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, LP
Trischa Zorn Hudson, J.D., attorney at law
David Huse, DVM, Purdue University
Mike Maher, Regional Manager, Charter One Bank, N.A.
Toula Oberlies, community volunteer and board member Blind Children’s Foundation
Jerry Semler, Chairman Emeritus, American United Mutual Holding Company
Francis Price, Jr. M.D. President and Founder
2009 Accomplishments
- Investigated 12 new ways to provide people with better vision including:
- Light-adjustable lens to provide sharper vision for cataract patients
- Treatment to prevent vision loss in young adults with keratoconus
- Treatment to help people who suffer from dry eye
- Collaborated on vision-restoration studies with doctors at Case Western Reserve University, University of Chicago Illinois, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and the Indiana University Wells Center for Pediatric Research
- Published 8 peer-reviewed articles on new techniques and outcomes in cornea and refractive surgery
- Published the first-ever book on the new small-incision cornea transplant technique known as DSEK, and provided insight on the patient’s perspective
- Hosted11 training courses for eye surgeons
- Hosted day-long annual Focus on Education seminar for optometrists
- Co-sponsored Keratoconus Seminar with National Keratoconus Foundation
- Presented findings on the latest developments in corneal transplantation at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, European Society of Ophthalmology, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, New England Ophthalmologic Society, Ohio Ophthalmologic Society, Eye Bank Association of America, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and International Society of Refractive Surgery annual meetings.
- Presented vision awareness seminars locally to Sertoma, Indiana Health Care Foundation, Executive Women in Health Care, and Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Established fiscal sponsorship of Working Vision, a charitable organization devoted to reducing the incidence of work-related eye injuries by distributing new and slightly used safety eyewear to workers in developing nations
- Updated Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation
- Redesigned website and established a Facebook page
- Hosted 2 successful fund raising events: Golf Outing and Women’s Luncheon
- Won Healthcare Marketing Merit Award for “Amazing Grace” video
- Featured by Indiana Business Journal in July as a “Not for Profit of Note”
- Created annual award to recognize leaders in vision care, the Torchbearer Award; presented inaugural award to Jorge Alio, M.D. of Alicante, Spain for development of easy, non-invasive method to treat abnormal cellular growth that can cause visual disturbances after laser refractive surgery
- Strengthened collaborative relationships with vision-related nonprofits in Indiana, including WFYI -IRIS, Bosma Industries, American Council of the Blind, and hosted first collaborative forum on “The Future of Vision Health Awareness in Indiana”
