Posted on January 16, 2002 at 1:10 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Department of Ophthalmology at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) has received a continuation grant of $110,000 from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) to support research into the causes, treatment and prevention of blinding diseases.

"This continued funding of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology by Research to Prevent Blindness underscores the importance of vision research and the quality of the work being done here at UAB," said professor and department chairman, Dr. Lanning B. Kline. "UAB researchers are making major strides in improving our understanding of devastating eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma as well as finding innovative ways to restore sight to patients who have lost vision due to severe eye trauma."

Additional research at UAB supported by RPB includes studies of amblyopia, retinal surgery techniques, retinal detachment following macular surgery and ocular trauma caused by pressurized bottles and by paintball pellet war games. UAB researchers are also studying the risk factors involved with automobile crashes by older drivers to find ways to increase mobility and quality of life for older Americans.

RPB is the world's leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. To date, the organization has awarded grants totaling more than $2 million to UAB.

Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled hundreds of millions of dollars to medical institutions throughout the United States for research into all blinding eye diseases.