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Schepens Retina Associates Foundation

Phone number forDevelopment Office

As of November 2010, the Schepens Retina Associates Foundation (SRA Foundation) has dissolved and transferred its charitable assets to the Mass. Eye and Ear, with the understanding that Mass. Eye and Ear will use those charitable assets to support research related to disorders and diseases of the retina.

For more information, please contact us at 617-573-3345 or development@meei.harvard.edu.

About the SRA Foundation

Doctor Charles Schepens with medical instruments

Charles L. Schepens, MD, created the Schepens Retina Associates Foundation with the mission of providing world-class patient care, teaching and groundbreaking retina research to improve the lives of patients all over the world. The Foundation believed that the transfer of its charitable assets to Mass. Eye and Ear was the best way to carry forward Dr. Schepens’ vision in the decades to come.

Retina Research at Mass. Eye and Ear

Mass. Eye and Ear is world renowned for success and innovation in studying macular degenerationdiabetic retinopathyretinitis pigmentosaocular tumors, and other retina conditions. Investigations focus on developing new therapies, advancing genetic, stem cell and neuroprotective approaches, and identifying nutritional and environmental protective measures. Mass. Eye and Ear physicians pioneered the use of proton beam therapy to treat tumors; developed photodynamic therapy, the first treatment for wet macular degeneration and carried out the experiments that led to the most effective current treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, Lucentis™.

Remembering Charles L. Schepens, MD

Charles L. Schepens, M.D., known as the father of modern retinal surgery, was a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Emeritus at Harvard Medical School. He was a surgical innovator who developed diagnostic and surgical instruments as well as surgical techniques such as scleral buckling that increased the probability of successfully reattaching a detached retina from 40% to 90%. He trained generations of retina specialists that practice all over the world. He is remembered not only for his successful clinical and research career, but also for the compassion he showed for his patients and colleagues. When Dr. Schepens passed away in 2006, his request was for his clinical research to continue.

Make a gift to the Schepens Retina Associates Fund

In honor of Dr. Charles Schepens, this fund will support research at Mass. Eye and Ear related to disorders and diseases of the retina. If you would like to make a gift to help advance retina research, please click here.