The Mark J. Daily Inherited Retinal Diseases Research Center is dedicated to furthering novel inherited retinal disease (IRD) treatments that are near the cusp of human testing for safety and efficacy. Directed by Byron L. Lam, M.D., the center not only provides research resources but also creates an environment for collaboration among new and existing faculty members that facilitates interdisciplinary research. Lam is professor of ophthalmology, Mark J. Daily Chair in Ophthalmology, medical director of clinical research, and academic division chief and medical director of the neuro-ophthalmology service.

Thanks to the generous support of Mark J. Daily, M.D., a retinal specialist who completed his residency at Bascom Palmer in 1977, and his commitment to finding new treatments for inherited retinal diseases that steal vision from children and adults, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute established the Mark J. Daily Inherited Retinal Diseases Research Center. The center brings renewed hope for patients facing these incurable vision disorders.

The new endowment will support early-stage studies, which can hopefully draw funding from government agencies as well as industrial partners. New research could aid in the rapid identification of these complex conditions and one day might halt the progression to blindness or lead to a cure. 

Betti Lidski Retinitis Pigmentosa Endowed Research Fund

The Betti Lidski Retinitis Pigmentosa Endowed Research Fund was established through the generous philanthropy of Adrienne Arsht and Hope for Vision with the goal of improving and restoring vision for individuals affected by inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). IRDs, including conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber congenital amaurosis, and Stargardt disease, are a group of genetic disorders characterized by progressive vision loss due to retinal degeneration. The center is dedicated to studying the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of these complex diseases, with the aim of identifying potential therapies to halt or reverse vision loss and enhance the quality of life for those affected by IRDs.

As a premier translational clinical trial center, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute leads advancements in inherited retinal disease (IRD) research through dedicated involvement in groundbreaking clinical trials. These trials are vital for developing and verifying therapies that can safely and effectively improve patient outcomes. Promising approaches under investigation include gene therapies aimed at directly or indirectly addressing genetic mutations, as well as innovative treatments utilizing stem and progenitor cells, oral agents, and small molecules. These cutting-edge studies bring us closer to halting or even reversing vision loss, providing hope and emerging treatment options for those affected by these challenging conditions.