Professor Mariya Moosajee has dedicated her career to vision research.
It’s a career that got an early boost from Fight for Sight, when we awarded Mariya her first project grant in 2013. Since then, her work has had global impact in the field. We review her career, the importance of her research, and the passion that drives her.
Why early investment in eye research changes lives
Vision loss affects millions of people in the UK and worldwide, yet eye research remains chronically underfunded. Breakthroughs in prevention, treatment and potential cures depend on one critical factor: early, courageous funding of brilliant minds.
Professor Mariya Moosajee’s story shows exactly why Fight for Sight is determined to be a funding powerhouse within the vision loss research sector – and why investing early can accelerate global impact.
A researcher driven by personal experience
Professor Mariya Moosajee is a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and has research laboratories at University College London (UCL) and the Francis Crick Institute.
She divides her time between treating paediatric and adult patients with genetic eye conditions and leading cutting-edge scientific research.
Her commitment is deeply personal. Mariya’s mother is blind.
As a junior doctor in ophthalmology, she saw firsthand the devastation caused by rare inherited eye diseases.
“The two biggest questions my patients ask are: what is the cause of my condition, and is there a treatment? Those questions have become the mantra for my research.”
“Seeing patients with rare genetic eye conditions was heartbreaking. Many were told nothing could be done – that they would continue to lose vision and eventually go blind.”
Unwilling to accept that answer, Mariya set out to change it.
“The two biggest questions my patients ask are: what is the cause of my condition, and is there a treatment? Those questions have become the mantra for my research.”
From first Fight for Sight grant to global impact
Mariya’s independent research career began with her very first project grant – awarded by Fight for Sight back in 2013.
At the time, she was an ophthalmology specialist trainee.
That early investment was catalytic.
“It was spectacular to have an organisation have faith in me. It kickstarted my independent career far earlier than would normally be expected.”
This is what early-stage research funding does best. It doesn’t just fund a project. It builds a researcher.
“You’re funding the foundation of an individual as a scientist. From that comes collaboration, knowledge-sharing, training the next generation and building a global research network.”
Today, her work is recognised as world-class.
“In rare genetic eye disease research, you have to work globally. Patients may be anywhere in the world. The impact of this work reaches far beyond one country.”
“It was spectacular to have an organisation have faith in me. It kickstarted my independent career far earlier than would normally be expected.”
Why vision loss research urgently needs funding
Eye research receives just around 1–1.5% of publicly funded health research in the UK, despite sight loss affecting more than two million people.
That underinvestment has real consequences.
“The talent is there. The ideas are there. What we don’t have is the resource to move as fast as patients need us to.”
Smaller grants mean fewer researchers, slower progress and missed opportunities to translate discoveries into treatments.
Fight for Sight exists to change that.
We back promising early-stage research that others won’t. We invest early, when it matters most – so breakthroughs can happen sooner.
Why combining patients and research accelerates progress
Mariya’s clinical work and research are inseparable.
“This isn’t a four-day-a-week job. Research takes 200% of my time. It’s nights, early mornings. It’s constant. Both are more than work – they’re a vocation.”
Seeing patients is a reminder of why the work is so vital. This bench-to-bedside approach ensures discoveries are driven by patient need, not abstract theory.
Multidisciplinary science powering the future of eye research
Across her laboratories, Mariya leads a truly multidisciplinary team:
- Molecular and stem-cell biologists
- Scientists working with animal models
- Bioinformaticians analysing genomes
- Psychologists developing patient‑reported outcome measures
- Digital researchers using smartphone data to track vision changes
- Clinicians map the natural history of eye diseases, developing outcome metrics for clinical trials and leading international gene-related trials.
“Everyone understands that the purpose of this research is to help patients. You never lose touch with why you’re doing it.
“Everyone understands that the purpose of this research is to help patients. You never lose touch with why you’re doing it.”
This is how modern vision research moves faster – by bringing disciplines together around a shared goal.
Promising breakthroughs in genetic eye disease
One of Mariya’s current projects focuses on non‑viral gene therapy – a potentially safer way to deliver treatments to retinal cells.
Unlike viral approaches, non‑viral methods may:
- Deliver larger genes
- Reduce immune responses
- Improve long‑term safety
Her team is developing lipid nanoparticles – described as a kind of “molecular soap” – to carry genetic material into retinal cells.
“If we can get this right, it could transform treatment not just for rare inherited eye diseases, but for many retinal conditions.”
This is the kind of high‑risk, high‑reward science that depends on early, flexible funding.
“If we can get this right, it could transform treatment not just for rare inherited eye diseases, but for many retinal conditions.”
Why the patient voice must shape vision research
Patients often define success differently from traditional clinical benchmarks.
“Some patients say, ‘If I could just stay where I am, that would be enough.’ We need to listen to that.”
Research outcomes must reflect lived experience – not just measurements on a chart. That philosophy runs through Mariya’s work.
Collaboration over competition: accelerating discovery
Mariya is a co‑supervisor on a PhD studentship funded through the UK Vision Research Network – a Fight for Sight initiative designed to break down silos.
Working alongside Dr Chloe Stanton in Scotland, the team is tackling a late‑onset retinal dystrophy from different angles.
“We could be working on the same condition in different places without knowing it and duplicating work and resources. Collaboration accelerates progress. Competition slows it down.”
This is how Fight for Sight multiplies impact: by connecting expertise and sharing resources.
Why funding researchers like Prof Moosajee matters now
Science is advancing faster than ever. Genomic sequencing is cheaper. AI can analyse billions of genetic data points. New therapeutic approaches are within reach.
What’s needed now is sustained investment.
“If we could restore sight, slow degeneration or prevent vision loss, it would be extraordinary.”
Fight for Sight is proud to have funded Professor Mariya Moosajee at the very start of her journey – and to continue backing researchers who are pushing boundaries today.
Because when we fund brilliant minds early, we don’t just support careers.
We accelerate discovery.
We change what’s possible.
We Save Sight. Change Lives.
