“Acceptance, to me, means that #eyematter – I count, I’m part of this world.”
–Peter, Retina Australia supporter
19,000 Australians living with inherited retinal diseases
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) result in progressive, irreversible and incurable vision loss and blindness. They are the leading cause of blindness in working age adults and the second leading cause of blindness in children in Australia, with an estimated lifetime cost of $5.2 million per person.
1 treatment available in Australia
Right now, there is only one treatment available in Australia—and it’s for a rare type of inherited retinal disease linked to the RPE65 gene. While this treatment helps only a very small group of people, it’s a breakthrough that opens the door to possible new therapies for many other IRDs linked to over 300 different genes.
$0 in government funding to find more
That is why Retina Australia exists. Our annual Research Grants Program funds projects to accelerate medical research into early detection, discovering preventions and advancing new treatments, with the hope of progression towards unlocking cures for IRDs.
But without any government support, the work we do is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
“The value of good, well-funded research really targeted at issues that matter is so important. That’s where Retina Australia is taking the lead …
“We know that Retina Australia is supporting quality research, and that gives us hope that a cure may be found in the future.”
— Peter, Retina Australia supporter
Help us show our community they matter.
While there are no cures for IRDs, the discovery of treatments matters and gives our community hope.
Use the form below to donate to the Retina Australia 2025 Annual Appeal.
All donations $2 and over are tax deductible.