About Us
History of the Foundation In Timelines
1988
The Foundation was created and received status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a not-for-profit foundation; its first project was the initiation of the corneal transplant data base since no one was tracking long-term results of penetrating grafts. Funding for this project was provided by St. Vincent Hospital.
1991
The first issue of Visionary, four pages in length, was published in the winter of 1991with a simple logo and the phrase, “Restoring Vision through Research”
The Foundation was the first and only Indiana site approved to test a new excimer laser.
The Foundation acquired a Laser Cell/Flare Meter to reveal the concentration of white cells and inflammation in the eye as a guide to corneal graft failure.
1994
A research grant was made by the Indiana Lions Eye Bank to fund collection and statistical analysis of pre and post-operative corneal transplant data.
1995
Two grants were given by the Indiana Lions Eye Bank to analyze results of tracking long term outcomes of cornea transplants.
1996
An Indiana Lions Eye Bank grant was given to support the identification of risk factors for corneal graft failure.
Price Vision Group funded a LASIK study of 450 patients and submitted data to the FDA to help determine safety of performing LASIK on both eyes at the same time.
1997
The first Cornea Golf Classic was played at Pebble Brook Country Club on June 4. The Foundation’s website was established to provide ongoing education to the public about eye diseases, their treatments and what the Foundation is doing to improve vision.
The first annual Focus on Education seminar for optometrists was held on October 18.
Joe Kack, former executive with Eli Lilly & Company, joined the Board of Directors.
A major article in the newsletter concerned “LASIK, the latest refractive surgery to correct distance vision and lessen the need for glasses or contacts” highlighting the results of three ground-breaking LASIK studies conducted by the Foundation.
The names of the Board of Directors were listed in Visionary for the first time and included Pat Chastain, Tom Godby, Bill Grube, Joan Lane, Robert Nagan, M.D., Francis W. Price, Sr., M.D, Joe Kack and Francis Price, Jr., M.D.
1998
The Foundation was among the first to participate in U.S. clinical trials of a new surgical technique for glaucoma treatment using a wick to promote fluid drainage.
2000
New Board members were announced: Kevin Dubbink and Walter Gross, Jr. Clorissa Quillin joined the staff as Clinical Research Coordinator.
Christian Dominic, a patient from Papua, New Guinea, received pro-bono life-transforming surgery to restore vision in his remaining eye.
2001
Harry Scheid was welcomed as a new Board member.
2002
A new feature was added to the newsletter called “Ask the Doctor” in which Dr. Price answered questions submitted by patients.
Marianne Price, Ph.D. joined the Foundation as Director of Research and Education.
A new iris implant study was begun and Dr. Francis Price was named the Medical Monitor.
The first Advanced Cornea Course was held in March teaching surgeons to perform the new endothelial cornea transplant surgery.
2003
William and Mary Goetz were thanked for their generous underwriting of the Foundation’s website, http://www.cornea.org
2004
New Board members included Lorraine Mahomed, David Huse, Michael Dickerson, Jerry Semler and Trischa Zorn.
A new intraocular lens study was begun to evaluate a “blue blocker” that may help protect the retina from exposure to high energy blue and ultraviolet light.
2005
Dr. Francis Price performed the first transplants in the world which utilized a laser to create interlocking incisions. Dr. Price performed live DSEK surgery before 400 doctors at a meeting in Milan, Italy.
Dr. Francis Price was named Ophthalmologist of the Year by the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology.
Michael Cruz of New York City, the first child to receive an iris implant in Indiana, was featured as the cover story in the newsletter, Visionary.
Dr. Mathias Zirm, from Austria and grandson of the first surgeon to perform a successful human corneal transplant, visited Indianapolis to learn the new DSEK transplant technique and was featured in the newsletter on the 100th anniversary of that transplant surgery.
2006
Dr. Francis Price taught the new DSEK technique to surgeons in India and Nepal during a trip to Asia.
The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation presented Drs. Francis and Marianne Price with Vision Awards for their pioneering work with small incision corneal transplants.
Dr. Francis Price was named a recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Senior Achievement Award in recognition of his service contributions to the Academy through presentations, research and active involvement.
Dr. Francis Price received the Person of Vision award for 2006 from Prevent Blindness of Indiana.
Johnston Erwin of Eli Lilly & Company was named to the Board of Directors.
2007
Dr. Francis Price received an Indiana Heroes Award from the Indiana Pacers.
A Special Events Committee was formed to propose activities for celebrating the upcoming 20th anniversary in 2008.
Mike Maher of Charter One Bank and Philip Gibson, retiree of Eli Lilly & Company, were named new Board members.
A new foldable lens, called the Veriflex lens, was introduced in a study for the treatment of extreme near-sightedness.
The Foundation was the first site in the world to treat patients with a new slow release drug implant that may prove effective for prevention of corneal transplant rejection.
A grant of $45,000 was given by local businessman, Jim Butler, to fund a research study to culture corneal cells and potentially relieve a world-wide shortage of corneal transplant tissue.
The Foundation received the Social Enterprise Award from the Kelley School of Business.
Drs. Marianne and Francis Price received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian service from the Indiana Lions Eye Bank and Tissue Transplant Board of Directors. The award is named in honor of Melvin Jones who founded the Lions Club International on June 7, 1917.
2008
Dr. Francis W. Price, Jr. received a Health Care Heroes award from the Indianapolis Business Journal in the category, “Health Care Advancements.”
The first video about the life-changing work of the Foundation was created by Indianapolis-based Bennett Innovations.
Two studies were initiated to investigate corneal collagen cross linking as a possible strengthening treatment for patients with weakened corneas.
Dr. Marianne Price was recognized as a Speaking of Women’s Health Honoree by WFYI.
The first Board Developmental Dinner was held with Drs. Price and focused on discussion of the new cell culturing study being conducted with Dr. Juan Carlos Grandin, Dr. Merv Yoder and supported by a gift from local businessman Jim Butler.
The first Board Engagement Committee was established and set quickly to the tasks of creating guidelines, policies and revising By-Laws in alignment with the mission of the Foundation.
More than 500 doctors, representing 47 U.S. States and 23 foreign countries, and many major universities, had been trained by Dr. Francis Price, Jr. in the EK corneal transplant technique since 2002. In large part due to this dissemination of knowledge and our teaching efforts, the Eye Bank Association of America has reported a tenfold increase in the number of EK grafts, from 1,400 in 2005 to over 14,000 in 2007.
The work of the Foundation has resulted in over 100 peer-reviewed publications covering topics ranging from (1) standard full-thickness corneal transplants, (2) laser-assisted transplants, (3) new small incision transplants (DSEK), (4) special techniques and devices for high-risk cataract patients and complications from cataract surgery, (5) artificial iris implants, (6) lenses to correct extreme near-sightedness, and (7) laser refractive surgery.
2009
The first surgical textbook on the DSEK procedure was published and co-authored by Dr. Francis Price and Marianne Price, Ph.D.
Dr. Francis Price was recognized by the New England Ophtalmological Society for his contributions to the field with a sterling silver Revere bowl at their September 25, 2009 meeting.
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.
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, Prevent Blindness Indiana, Blind Children’s Foundation and School for the Blind and hosted first collaborative forum on “The Future of Vision Health Awareness in Indiana.”
Redesigned website and established a Facebook page.
Jim Butler and Toula Oberleis joined the Foundation Board of Directors.
2010
Drs. Francis and Marianne Price edit book designed to address clinical questions concerning the cornea and external diseases.
The Foundation initiates a year-long research fellowship program and welcomed Dr. Frederico Guerra from Rio de Janiero, Brazil as the first fellow to occupy the position.
Dr. Marianne Price received the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Achievement Award in recognition of her service contributions to the Academy through presentations, educational programs and active involvement.
The Eye Bank Association of America named Dr. Marianne Price as Research Committee Chair. This committee awards grants to deserving projects related to eye banking.
