Fight for Sight and Diabetes UK announce new research partnership

Additional funding made available for research into visual impairment associated with diabetes

The leading eye research charity, Fight for Sight, has partnered with the leading UK charity for people affected by diabetes, Diabetes UK, to call for applications for a new jointly funded award. This is the first time the two organisations have joined forces.

Eye disease caused by diabetes is a leading cause of sight loss. Alongside this, recently published research suggests that people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataract.

Fight for Sight and Diabetes UK both currently fund research to help address diabetic eye disease. For the first time, they’re joining forces to fund research in this area.

Fight for Sight CEO, Michele Acton, said: “We are delighted to establish this partnership with Diabetes UK to extend the impact of research by funding novel and vital ophthalmic research into sight loss caused by diabetes.”

Dr Anna Morris, Assistant Director of Research Strategy and Partnerships, said: “Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes which sadly accounts for 1 in 20 cases of sight loss in the UK. As such, we’re pleased to be working alongside Fight for Sight to offer this unique opportunity to fund more research into visual impairment in people with diabetes.”

The new partnership is currently calling for applications for the Fight for Sight / Diabetes UK Small Grant Award for research into visual impairment associated with diabetes.

The call is now open. It will close on 27 March 2018. Applications must be submitted via the Fight for Sight online system. For more information, please email: grants@fightforsight.org.uk