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Giving to the Scheie Eye Institute
Scheie Eye Institute has a proven success record.
The Department of Ophthalmology for the University of Pennsylvania, also known as the Scheie Eye Institute, has been in existence for over 125 years and has made enormous contributions to the field of ophthalmology. Scheie Eye Institute is one of the premier patient care, teaching and research ophthalmology departments in the country.
Scheie consistently ranks among the top 5 among 125 ophthalmology departments in the U.S. in funding from the National Eye Institute (NEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). With over 45 physicians and scientists, Scheie has the depth and breadth necessary to care for every type of eye problem, to find treatments for leading causes of vision loss, and to educate future ophthalmologists and vision scientists.
Government grants do not fund some of the most important research.
Although Scheie receives funding from the NIH for much of the research we do, these grants do not cover the pilot studies conducted by our scientists which enable them to pursue a promising cure or research idea. Nor does government grant money pay for laboratories and equipment needed for research. Our talented young scientists are supported by the Scheie endowment during the period before they are eligible for government grants.
Scheie progress is outpacing funding.
Over the past few years, our momentum has been building tremendously and the progress of our scientists has been outpacing the funding.
Several years ago, our scientists, in collaboration with Cornell and University of Florida scientists, restored vision for the first time in dogs born with a condition identical to a form of infantile blindness known as Leber Congenital Amaurosis. This major advance in the treatment of hereditary retinal degenerations was the outcome of a small pilot study that has the potential to transform the lives of children born with this condition. In order to start human trials, major changes to our facilities are needed to accommodate testing and treatment of humans.
Your gift will help patients right now.
Gifts to our clinical services will enable our physicians to provide our patients with exceptional care using the latest equipment and facilities.
