New York-based Research to Prevent Blindness has awarded the Wayne State University School of Medicine an unrestricted grant of $115,000 a year for five years to support eye research conducted by the Department of Ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute.

The funding was awarded based on a review of the department's research activities, laboratory environment, and clinical and scientific staff completed by the RPB's scientific advisory panel.

The funds will be deployed at the discretion of Department of Ophthalmology Professor and Chair Mark Juzych, M.D., to provide maximum flexibility in developing and expanding eye research programs, and to provide opportunities for creative planning that go beyond the scope of restricted project grants.

"This is a very competitive grant, and we appreciate the confidence RPB continues to have in us," Dr. Juzych said. "The continued funding from RPB to the Kresge Eye Institute will enable us to continue our research mission to help those affected by eye disease and support the next generation of eye researchers."

Since its founding in 1960, RPB has channeled more than $355 million into eye research. As a result, RPB has been identified with nearly every major breakthrough in vision research in that time. The School of Medicine holds one of 37 RPB Unrestricted Grants nationwide. RPB is the world's leading voluntary organization supporting eye research. The Kresge Eye Institute first received funding from RPB in 1960, and has been continuously funded by the organization since 1974. To date, RPB has awarded grants totaling more than $4.3 million to the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

For information on grant programs, findings and more, visit www.rpbusa.org.