The Academy is deeply concerned about a proposal to merge the NEI into a broader “Institute on Neuroscience and Brain Research.” Merging the NEI into this larger institute could potentially relegate vision-specific projects to a lower priority in favor of broader neuroscience initiatives and threaten the growing patient community in the United States that relies on NEI’s prioritization of vision research to address sight-threatening eye diseases and vision disorders.
With the country facing rising rates of eye disease and vision impairment, NEI isn’t just relevant, it is leading where others can’t. An independent NEI is more vital to Americans now than at any point in its 57-year history.
It is imperative that Congress hears from you now. Tell your members of Congress to preserve the NEI’s independence and protect the research driving breakthroughs in the prevention, recognition, and treatment of eye disease.