Our urgent goal — saving mind and sight through research

We drive innovative research worldwide and support awareness to end Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Learn more about our research

We're here to help.

Explore our tools, tips, and expert advice to help you understand, manage, and live with Alzheimer's disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Don't miss out.
Receive research updates, inspiring stories, and expert advice
Keep me informed about: *
Please select at least one.
You must select at least one disease category.
Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.

Which brain or eye disease would you like to explore?

  • Image depicting the genetic code sequence in a medical science laboratory that tests for Alzheimer's disease
    Expert

    Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease

    Learn about the most common genes associated with the early- and late-onset forms of Alzheimer’s disease, and the current recommendations for genetic testing.

    November 11, 2019

  • New Diagnosis?

    Managing a mind and sight disease is a journey. And you’re not alone. We can help.

    Take the first step
  • An eye doctor viewing the retina of a young woman who has Best's disease.
    Expert

    Best's Disease

    There are several hereditary vision diseases that affect the macula, the central part of the retina that is responsible for providing sharp, clear, straight-ahead vision. One of them, called Best’s disease, is also known as vitelliform macular dystrophy.

    September 30, 2019

Put your dollars to work in a donor-advised fund today Start here

  • Image depicting the genetic code sequence in a medical science laboratory that tests for Alzheimer's disease
    Expert

    Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease

    Learn about the most common genes associated with the early- and late-onset forms of Alzheimer’s disease, and the current recommendations for genetic testing.

    November 11, 2019

  • New Diagnosis?

    Managing a mind and sight disease is a journey. And you’re not alone. We can help.

    Take the first step
  • Health foods, including whole grains, green leafy and other vegetables, berries, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and olive oil
    Expert

    Diet and Alzheimer’s Disease

    Learn helpful information on the role of diet and brain health, based on the latest research.

    September 9, 2019

  • What happens to your brain during Alzheimer's Disease?

    Track how nerve cells and the brain change from healthy to affected by mild and then severe Alzheimer's disease.
    View Infographic

Put your dollars to work in a donor-advised fund today Start here

  • An eye doctor viewing the retina of a young woman who has Best's disease.
    Expert

    Best's Disease

    There are several hereditary vision diseases that affect the macula, the central part of the retina that is responsible for providing sharp, clear, straight-ahead vision. One of them, called Best’s disease, is also known as vitelliform macular dystrophy.

    September 30, 2019

  • New Diagnosis?

    Managing a mind and sight disease is a journey. And you’re not alone. We can help.

    Take the first step

  • By 202040 million

    People will have visual impairments from advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
    View Infographic

Put your dollars to work in a donor-advised fund today Start here

  • A senior couple talking with their doctor about risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma
    Expert

    Risk Factors of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

    Much of the information about the risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma are based on population-based studies in which large groups of patients have been examined and followed over time. Learn about these well-described risk factors.

    September 16, 2019

  • New Diagnosis?

    Managing a mind and sight disease is a journey. And you’re not alone. We can help.

    Take the first step
  • An eye doctor talking with a patient about open-angle glaucoma treatments
    Expert

    Treatments for Open-Angle Glaucoma

    There are many effective and different treatments for open-angle glaucoma, but the one unifying concept is that all current treatments are designed to lower eye pressure.

    August 5, 2019

  • More than3 million

    Americans aged 40 and older have glaucoma. It is estimated that the number will double to 6 million people by 2050.
    View Infographic

Put your dollars to work in a donor-advised fund today Start here

Stories & Thanks

Connect with others who understand Join our community

Our Impact

We have one, important goal: to end brain and eye diseases in our lifetime.

Learn more

We support innovative science through our three programs:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease Research
  • Macular Degeneration Research
  • National Glaucoma Research
Learn more about our grants

Promising Science

  • Illustration showing amyloid plaques

    Can We Clear Toxic Proteins from the Brain? An Encouraging Breakthrough

    Research by BrightFocus grantee Matthew Campbell, PhD, of Trinity College Dublin, suggests a unique way to help clear the brain of toxic amyloid beta protein, which contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s.
  • Rendition of mineral, fat, and protein deposits in a cell.

    Scientists Uncover New Clues About How Macular Degeneration Forms

    An international research team has uncovered some clues to how age-related macular degeneration (AMD) begins, and their findings could lead to new avenues of research and early diagnosis.

  • Alzheimer’s in a Petri Dish

    In what is being hailed a “game changer” for Alzheimer’s research, researchers Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD, and Se Hoon Choi, PhD, both BrightFocus grantees, have done the impossible. Together with their colleagues, they have managed to grow human brain cells in a laboratory for use in Alzheimer’s testing.
More science news

Help us find a cure. Give to BrightFocus

BrightFocus Updates

  • Macular Degeneration Research News: Fall 2019

    Learn about groundbreaking discoveries from scientists funded by Macular Degeneration Research that presented their research at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, a cellular nutrient that could help delay macular degeneration, how environmental stressors damage the retina, tips to help yourself and others adapt to low vision, and more in the fall 2019 edition of Macular Degeneration News.

    Friday, October 25, 2019

  • BrightFocus Foundation Statement on Biogen Alzheimer’s Announcement

    BrightFocus is highly encouraged by Biogen’s announcement today that clinical trials of its experimental drug aducanumab reduced cognitive decline in some Alzheimer’s patients through improved cognition, memory, and activities of daily living.

    Tuesday, October 22, 2019