Michael E. Yablonski, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of the department of ophthalmology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has received a four-year grant of $200,000 from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB). The grant will focus on the development of advanced research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of blinding diseases. RPB is the world’s leading voluntary organization supporting eye research.
Under Dr. Yablonski’s directions, the staff of the UNMC ophthalmology department, is actively studying two leading causes of blindness — glaucoma and macular degeneration. UNMC researchers have pioneered the development of several new glaucoma medications and are studying new treatments for macular degeneration.
Since it was founded in 1960, RPB has channeled more than $144 million to medical institutions throughout the United States for research into all blinding eye diseases.