Fight For Sight || History

Fight for Sight was founded in 1946 by a Brooklyn native, Mildred Weisenfeld. Faced with the degenerative eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, she was shocked to learn that research into the causes and cures of vision diseases and disorders was virtually nonexistent. Not content to sit back and wait for others to decide that research was the vital link to finding treatments, Mrs. Weisenfeld founded Fight for Sight. Today, Fight for Sight is recognized as an international leader in the battle for the preservation and restoration of sight through research.

Since its founding 60 years ago, the Fight for Sight Awards Program has funded 2,600 student fellowships, post-doctoral fellowships and grant-in-aid. These prestigious awards have been made to individuals at more than 165 leading eye centers and universities in the U.S. and internationally. Awards are selected by a prominent scientific panel chosen by the Association for Research and Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

Fight for Sight recognizes the need to foster the careers of promising up-and-coming researchers. Recipients of FFS funding are nurtured and guided by mentors and other top professionals while conducting their research.

Fight for Sight is a well-respected source of support within the vision research community. For young scientists, it can be the much-needed first step to a successful career that can lead to major advances in curing and preventing blindness.

Donate Now Making a donation to Fight for Sight is easy and quick. How would you like to donate? > Online > Mail a Donation Applications Looking to fill out an application? Find it here: > Grant-in-Aid, Postdoctoral and Summer Student Fellowships are now available.		History & Achievements Fight for Sight was founded in 1946 by a Brooklyn native, Mildred Weisenfeld. Faced with the degenerative eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, she was shocked to learn that research into the causes and cures of vision diseases and disorders was virtually nonexistent. Not content to sit back and wait for others to decide that research was the vital link to finding treatments, Mrs. Weisenfeld founded Fight for Sight. Today, Fight for Sight is recognized as an international leader in the battle for the preservation and restoration of sight through research. Since its founding 60 years ago, the Fight for Sight Awards Program has funded 2,600 student fellowships, post-doctoral fellowships and grant-in-aid. These prestigious awards have been made to individuals at more than 165 leading eye centers and universities in the U.S. and internationally. Awards are selected by a prominent scientific panel chosen by the Association for Research and Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). Fight for Sight recognizes the need to foster the careers of promising up-and-coming researchers. Recipients of FFS funding are nurtured and guided by mentors and other top professionals while conducting their research. Fight for Sight is a well-respected source of support within the vision research community. For young scientists, it can be the much-needed first step to a successful career that can lead to major advances in curing and preventing blindness.