ABOUT THE IRRF IRRF Board of Directors Remembering Charles D. Kelman, M.D... Grants and Funding Information Charles D. Kelman, M.D. Scholar Award Latest News in AMD Research Current Research Activities Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) continues to be the leading cause of blindness in people over 65 years of age, and in the United States alone, this population age range is expected to reach 70 million by the year 2050. It is estimated that up to 20% of those individuals older than 65 is at risk for developing AMD, and this number increases to 37% by age 75. The repercussions of these predictions will be devastating as individuals who have planned a lifetime for their "Golden Years" are faced with a low quality of life and possible financial insecurity. The effects will not only have an impact on society as a whole, but will be mentally degrading to the individuals as they are robbed of their ability to function independently, diminishing their self-esteem. Even more distressing is that at this time there is neither an effective treatment nor a known cure. (Refer to the sidebar at left to read the "Latest News in AMD Research" and "Current Research Activities" being funded by the International Retinal Research Foundation.) The International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) upholds a commitment to accelerate and sustain targeted research efforts into the diseases of the human eye, especially its center, the macula, with specific concentration into the areas of discovering the causes, preventions, and cures of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The IRRF will accomplish its mission by providing financial support of vision research directly, as well as through training fellowships, public awareness programs, and the promotion of the exchange of research findings. Today's scientists play a crucial role in the universal struggle against debilitating eye diseases, but they need financial funding to facilitate and sustain their efforts. Since 1998, the IRRF has supported scientific investigations targeting all structures of the human eye, with emphasis on finding the causes, prevention, and cure of degenerative diseases of the eye. If you would like to help with this challenge, please send your tax deductible contribution to: The International Retinal Research Foundation, Inc., 1720 University Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35233-1816, attn: Sandra Blackwood, MPA. For further information, you may contact us by phone at 205-325-8103 or by email at sandy.blackwood@ccc.uab.edu The International Retinal Research Foundation, Inc. has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as tax exempt from federal tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501 (c)(3).

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