Fight for Sight launches campaign to highlight impact of sight loss and possibilities of eye research

Fight for Sight has launched three campaign films to help raise awareness of the impact of sight loss and the possibilities of eye research to make a difference.

The films share the personal stories of people with sight loss, and some of the researchers who are on the cusp of breakthroughs with their research.

Through the films the charity hopes to demonstrate that science is so close to discoveries that could transform lives. The only barrier is the lack of research funding to make them happen.

For example, Jackson, 11, is just one of over 25,000 children in the UK affected by blindness or sight loss. At just two and a half months old, Jackson was diagnosed with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), resulting in the loss of his central vision.

But Fight for Sight funded research led by Professor Mike Cheetham at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology has already led to breakthroughs using a genetic technique to restore the sight of patients with another type of LCA.

Alicia Coghlan, Jackson’s mother, who also features in the film, said:

People often ask when Jackson is going to be treated and we have to explain that we aren’t there yet, even though we know that with more funding research has the answers. Jackson is an energetic young boy who enjoys living his life to the full – I just want him to be able to see so much more of the world”.

Fight for Sight Chief Executive Sherine Krause said:

More than one in five people will experience serious sight loss in their lifetimes - yet only one percent of public grant funding is invested in eye research. We want to show that we are so close to life changing breakthroughs and to encourage more people to join our fantastic movement of supporters in the fight against sight loss.”