This year’s Ball for Eye Research, an annual gala benefiting sight-saving research in the Department of Ophthalmology, grossed $244,000 as 200 attendees took part in the spring event at the Dallas Country Club.

I am very pleased with how this year’s Ball for Eye Research turned out, said Dr. James P. McCulley, Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology. Thanks to our dedicated event chairs and generous donors, the funds raised by this event will enable our researchers to more vigorously continue building upon important discoveries we have made. These include identifying one of the genetic causes of a common type of macular degeneration, as well as understanding and correcting the underlying cellular defects of inherited and sporadic eye disorders triggered by protein misfolding.

Chairs for this year’s Ball were Joyce Alban, Chair; Anita Oberwetter, co-Chair; Dr. and Mrs. Albert D. Roberts, Honorary Chairs; and PlainsCapital Bank, Corporate Chair, represented by Alan B. White.

Since 2001, the Ball for Eye Research and its forerunner the Eye Ball have supported research by scientists and physicians in UT Southwestern’s Department of Ophthalmology. This research aims to identify the underlying causes of and treatments for potentially blinding disorders, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, and aging inflammatory eye disease. To date, the Ball has raised over $4.8 million. The next Ball for Eye Research will be March 28, 2020, at the Dallas Country Club.