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Research at NEI

NEI is a leader in vision research. In addition to the work we do in our own facilities, we support outside research that advances the prevention and treatment of eye diseases and vision problems.

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the lead federal agency for vision research, fostering scientific breakthroughs at the frontiers of vision research.

Research conducted at NEI (Intramural Research Program)

The NEI intramural research program conducts research in vision science and ophthalmology at our laboratories and clinical center located on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. We also develop the next generation of vision researchers through institutional research training and clinician-scientist development. The intramural program functions as an in-house resource of scientists and clinicians tackling high-risk, high-reward research.  Learn about our research labs, current projects, and staff

Research funded by NEI

NEI funds research and training opportunities at universities, medical centers, and other institutions both across the country and around the world through research grants, career development awards, and other mechanisms. We support about 2,100 research grants and training awards to scientists across more than 150 institutions worldwide. Learn more about funding opportunities

Woman getting an eye exam.

Join a research study or learn about our clinical trials

Clinical studies — research studies that involve people — can help researchers learn more about eye problems. One type of study, called a clinical trial, helps researchers try out new ways to find and treat eye diseases.

Researchers in a lab doing an experiment

Fellowships and training

Be a part of our research! NEI has career opportunities for vision researchers and internships, fellowships, and other training programs for students and professionals at our labs in Bethesda, MD.

Research Laboratory

Collaborations and Partnerships (Technology Transfer)

The NEI Technology Transfer Office facilitates collaborative relationships between NEI investigators and the broader scientific community.

Questions?

Want to learn more about NEI’s research? Interested in getting involved? Get in touch with NEI’s Division of Intramural Research.

Research News

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fundus photo showing diabetic retinopathy

Wayne State University receives NIH grant to combat sight damage from diabetes

A five-year grant will fund research investigating biological processes that contribute to defects in immune response in the eyes of those with diabetes and identify methods to reverse them.
LCA is an inherited disorder that causes vision loss in childhood. It primarily affects the functioning of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, as shown here. Photo credit: National Eye Institute

Participants of pioneering CRISPR gene editing trial see vision improve

About 79% of clinical trial participants experienced measurable improvement after receiving experimental, CRISPR-based gene editing that is designed to fix a rare form of blindness.
Qiuhua Yang, Yuqing Huo and Yongeng Cai in a laboratory.

MCG scientists identify new treatment target for leading cause of blindness

A gene previously implicated in the development of atherosclerotic lesions in coronary arteries could be key to understanding why many people don’t benefit from the most used therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Last updated: April 11, 2024