MEC_ImpactReport_2025_with updated figures, no guidelines, LR - Flipbook - Page 10
Leading eye health research
Strategic objective 2:
Be the leading charity
for eye health research
At Moorfields Eye Charity, we recognise the power of
research to deliver life-changing benefits for patients and
their families. New and innovative treatments can only be
made available following years – and sometimes decades – of
rigorous research and testing as our knowledge base increases.
Big ideas often have to start
the researchers, but ultimately,
the conversation, by sharing
out small. And yet, by funding
our patients too.
the work we currently fund,
early-stage ideas or discovery
Involving patients in research
but also offering researchers an
research, Moorfields Eye
development is something we
opportunity to engage with and
Charity has enabled widespread
support, recognising the value
listen to the experiences and
impact that benefits not only
of bringing patient voice into
knowledge patients can bring.
How early funding helped advance gene
therapy for inherited eye conditions
Early-stage funding plays a vital role in moving research
from the laboratory to clinical practice. Thanks to donor
support, Moorfields Eye Charity has been instrumental
in advancing research, accelerating progress that might
otherwise have struggled to gain momentum.
One example is the gene
benefit patients in the future.
therapy research led by
Professor Bainbridge, who
Professor James Bainbridge,
has spent over two decades
professor of retinal studies
at the forefront of genetic eye
at UCL and consultant
disease research, combines
ophthalmologist at Moorfields
microsurgery with molecular
Eye Hospital where initial
biology to develop treatments.
started and gather pilot data
funding provided the early
He explained that seed funding
to support applications for
evidence needed to attract
from the charity was key in
larger funding. This research
further investment. This
shaping a programme that
is expensive, and without that
support is essential for
progressed from research to
initial support, it would be
translating scientific discovery
clinical trials: “It’s been critical
hard to move forward.”
into treatments that will
in enabling us to get projects
Professor James Bainbridge
