Support our work

Support Innovation in Ophthalmology

Philanthropic support plays a critical role in the work of the Eye Institute. Gifts from private individuals and foundations allow our faculty to pursue their best ideas – ideas that help us to advance our understanding of the eye, explore treatments that can slow vision loss or restore vision, and help our patients receive state-of-the-art vision care. We believe improving knowledge of the eye has the potential to expand our understanding of the human body, unlocking new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

There are many ways you can link arms with us as we look to a future free of vision loss and other eye diseases. The following are areas where many donors have already chosen to make an impact.

You can make a difference

Advancing Vision Research

Supporting vision research is an impactful and immediate way to change outcomes for patients with eye disease. Our vision scientists are working on several approaches to slow or stop vision loss and even restore vision using stem cell and gene therapies, among others. Our researchers are developing advanced-imaging equipment to better understand how the eye works at a singular cell level and improving technology to better diagnose and treat diseases – ranging from glaucoma to age-related macular degeneration, to corneal disease.

Support the Vision Research Innovation Awards

The Future of Ophthalmologic Care

The Eye Institute is home to one of the most highly regarded ophthalmology residency and fellowship programs in the United States. It is also one of the only ophthalmology training programs in the WWAMI region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho). Supporting ophthalmology training not only improves the quality of our resident and fellow experience, it directly impacts patient care in our region.

Support the Ophthalmology Resident Surgical Education Fund

Support the Robert and Janet Kalina Fund for Education in Ophthalmology

Science and Service: The Karalis Johnson Retina Center

Located in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, the Karalis Johnson Retina Center brings together highly specialized physicians and researchers in 5,000+ square feet — all of it dedicated to serving our community. At the Karalis Johnson Retina Center, doctors are also researchers and patients are involved in the latest clinical trials to help advance new treatments for eye disease. Science, compassion and patient-centered care all converge in this state-of-the-art center.

Support the Karalis Johnson Retina Center

Don’t see the funding opportunity you are looking for? Wish to honor a clinician for providing excellent care? Please contact Katie Frisbie Bunten, director for philanthropy, at 206.616.3711 or bunten@uw.edu or An Tran, director for philanthropy, at 206.221.4769 or atran03@uw.edu.