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Dry eye is a chronic medical condition that develops when the eye's tear film does not lubricate and protect the eye's outer surface.
An estimated 18 million American children and adults have diabetes. Diabetes can negatively affect the eyes and can cause permanent vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinal neurodegeneration are collectively known as Diabetic Retinal Disease.
Within 10 years of diagnosis, 75 percent of people with diabetes will have some degree of diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common diabetes-related eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar, which damages tiny blood vessels of the retina. In response, the body grows fragile new blood vessels (neovascularization) within the retina, which can leak and impair vision.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include blurred vision, changes in central vision, floating spots, and even sudden vision loss. The first two symptoms are caused by swelling (edema) of the macula, the part of the retina that gives us sharp central vision. A person with diabetic retinopathy might notice symptoms only after damage is done. An eyecare clinician is usually able to detect retinal changes much sooner and can help prevent vision loss. Therefore, regular dilated eye exams are extremely important.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among people aged 20-74, and the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults. However, severe vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy can often be prevented with early detection and intervention. Treatments such as injections (with drugs that prevent the growth of new blood vessels), laser surgery (to shrink blood vessels or reduce bleeding) or eye surgery (specifically, vitrectomy, to remove scars or stop bleeding) have all been developed to address diabetic retinal disease.
RPB has been funding high-impact research on diabetic retinal disease for many decades. Currently, RPB is proud to partner with the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative to offer a Physician-Scientist Award specifically dedicated to research on diabetic retinal disease. The next round of this award will open in mid-April 2026, with applications due by July 1. The RPB Physician-Scientist Award page will be updated at that time with information on this grant.