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Our Mission

As the federal agency for vision research, NEI’s mission is to safeguard America’s sight.

NEI Mission Statement

The mission of NEI is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research. To achieve this, NEI provides essential leadership to drive innovative research, foster collaboration, recruit and train talent, and provide vision research education.

Drive innovative research

Our research improves our understanding of the eye and visual system to prevent and treat vision diseases. Our research also improves the quality of life for people who are blind or living with impaired vision.

Learn about our innovations

Foster collaboration

We spark innovation through knowledge sharing and 
interdisciplinary collaboration between expert vision researchers and clinicians.

Check out our research labs and branches

Recruit, inspire, and train talent

The future of vision research starts today. We are expanding the vision science workforce through recruitment and research opportunities to attract the next generation of innovators.

Learn about research and training opportunities

Educate and empower

Knowledge saves sight. NEI educates healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public about the latest advances in vision research and their impact on health and quality of life.

See educational resources

NEI Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future

Our strategic plan identifies emerging opportunities for NEI to achieve our mission to drive innovative research, inspire and train a talented next generation, and translate progress into practice.


Vision Research in Action

Our Impact

NEI-supported research is bringing us closer to a world without vision loss. Our work charts new pathways in prevention and treatment of common eye diseases and conditions. We’re furthering our understanding and treatment of rare eye diseases, developing new treatments and technologies, and transforming the future of vision research.

Research Priorities

Our research priorities support challenging, high-impact vision research through major programs that work to understand, treat, and cure eye diseases through advanced technologies and large-scale data.


More from NEI

  • Our Leadership

    NEI’s leadership guides the work that moves us closer to a world without vision loss. Meet the team members behind our mission and learn more about their careers and contributions.

  • Our History

    For more than 50 years, we have been at the cutting edge of vision research. Learn about some important milestones in our history.

Last updated: March 19, 2026