image credit- shutterstock
The Snow Medical Research Foundation is launching the Snow Vision Accelerator in partnership with the University of Sydney, with a landmark $50 million commitment from the Snow family over 10 years, to fight glaucoma, the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. This is the largest single philanthropic investment in vision science in Australia.
The Snow Vision Accelerator will build on the work of world-renowned ophthalmologist Professor Jonathan Crowston and bring together leading Australian and international research groups to develop innovative treatments that enhance the ability of optic nerve cells to withstand injury and survive, addressing a pressing unmet need for effective therapies.
Glaucoma affects 80 million people globally, with 4.5 million completely blind in both eyes. Often referred to as the "sneak thief of sight," the disease progresses silently until significant vision is lost. Current treatments focus solely on lowering eye pressure, leaving age-related vulnerabilities and optic nerve resilience largely unaddressed. The Snow Vision Accelerator is poised to change this.
This Accelerator will address a critical gap in glaucoma research, targeting the age-related vulnerabilities of the optic nerve. With this funding, transformative therapies will be explored that aim to prevent vision loss by stopping the disease from progressing. The programme will begin in July 2025.
