Research continues despite impact of funding deficit

Clarksburg, MD-BrightFocus Foundation has released the results of a survey of more than 170 biomedical scientists that explores the most significant barriers to progress in ending eye and brain diseases.

The survey indicates that a lack of dependable funding is threatening to create a deficit of highly skilled scientists at a time when the nation could soon face a health care crisis brought on by devastating disorders such as Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

“Nearly 20 million people in the U.S. are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, or glaucoma. That number is climbing with an aging population, threatening our families, our health care, and our economy. Eradicating these diseases should be a much higher national priority,” said Stacy Haller, president and chief executive officer of BrightFocus Foundation, formerly named American Health Assistance Foundation.

For details of the survey and results, go to www.brightfocus.org/ResearcherSurvey2013.