I have been advised by the chairman of our scientific advisory board, who was one of the pioneers in the use of these hormones in ophthalmology that the Federal Government had appropriated some $2 million for research study in ACTH and cortisone, of which probably less than $50,000 was used for research in the application of these hormones in eye disease, as a consequence of which thousands of eyes have already been saved from blindness. Without this Federal grant it is doubtful that this important scientific study would have gone forward as it had. Thanks to Federal aid, we are now on the road to the successful treatment of certain inflammatory diseases of the eye which have been responsible for about 25 percent of all blindness. Another manifestation of the power of research are reports reaching us currently that a new lead may disclose the cause of the blindness attacking infants born prematurely. These reports, of course, have to await confirmation before they can be accepted as definite. If it is proven however that the cause of this terrible blinding disease has at last been discovered, it will be another testimonial to the value of organized research since the thousands of dollars which have been expended in searching for the cause of retrolental fibroplasia will be repaid by millions of dollars saved in the rehabilitation of such unfortunate infants. However, the unsolved problems in the field of eye diseases remain manycataract, glaucoma, optic atrophy, detachment of the retina, certain corneal opacities, retinitis pigmentosa-are but a few for which cause and adequate treatment are unknown to science. The specialty of ophthalmology is young, and the ground is fertile for pioneering effort. The unexplored areas are awaiting the initiative and genius of our modern scientists. Those who wish to delve into these unknown fields for the benefit of mankind must be encouraged with adequate financial support, facilities, and equipment. It would be unjust and a tragedy unnecessarily perpetrated on countless thousands to deny this support. The dearth of dollars must not be allowed to stand as a barrier to progress which can mean hope in place of despair, sight instead of blindness. I repeat, the voluntary agency cannot yet assume this enormous responsibility alone. It can only be met with Federal aid. Gentlemen, before I conclude and with your permission I should like to be subjective for a few moments. To date I have lost 98 percent of my sight and although I classify myself-and I do this in all modesty-with that group of visually handicapped persons who has been able to make a reasonable adjustment to blindness, carry on a productive life and one in which there is social acceptance. I wish to go on record as saying that there is no substitute for sight nor are there any compensations for the loss of it. I know that I reflect the feeling of the many thousands who, like me, must live in darkness, when I say that there is nothing that anyone so fated, wants more, than the ability to see. If I had been able to reach you at all in my plea for continuing and more commensurate Federal aid to eye research-aid which can mean that countless people will be spared the tragedy of blindness, perhaps my personal loss will have served a useful purpose. Thank you for allowing me to be heard today. I appreciate this opportunity and am grateful to you for the privilege. NATIONAL COUNCIL TO COMBAT BLINDNESS, INC. Institution Boston City Hospital. New York Medical College, Flower and Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, the University of Pennsylvania... Project title Study into electrical responses of retina and brain Quantitative measurements of ocular fluorescein Virus infections of ocular tissues grafted onto the Retina Foundation, Massachusetts Eye Acid mucopolysaccharides in the vitreous body; University Hospitals, University of Iowa New York University Post-Graduate New York Eye and Ear Infirmary... University of California Medical School. New York Hospital, Cornell Medical New York Medical College, Flower and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.. New York Medical College, Flower and University of Louisville School of Medi- New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Yale University School of Medicine.... New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Yale University School of Medicine..... Indiana University Medical Center.. their role in the composition of the vitreous Electrical responses of retina and brain in patients Investigation into the role of focal infection in the Relationship of uveitis to bacterial allergy.. Study into the mechanism of development of con- Regional light sensivity of the retina-technique Acid mucopolysaccharides in the vitreous body... Electrical responses of retina and brain in patients Detection of plane polarized light by the human eye. Visual characteristics of macular and peripheral Role of estrogenic and androgenic substances on Study of application of ACTH in primary glau coma. Study into choroideremia.. Amount $6,000 1,700 936 1,730 5,000 5,000 2,700 1,296 1,600 1,200 1,200 2,500 2,500 1,500 750 466 2,500 5,000 2,500 3,750 2,625 2,500 2,445 2,125 200 500 Grant-in-aid and fellowship awards for the fiscal year 1953-54 GRANTS-IN-AID Investigators 1. Goodwin, M. Breinin, M, D. 2. Hermann M. Burian, M. D. (continua- Department of Ophthalmol tion grant). 3. T. S. Danowski, M. D., and Lawrence ogy, University Hospitals, Amount Project title Lay explanation $1, 620 Neotetrazolium studies in the eye (de- Study of the physiology of the eye to determine under 7. I. C. Michaelson, M. D. (continua- Government Hospital, tion grant). 3,000 Haifa, Israel. Factors affecting new vessel growth, A genetic study of the spherophakia, certain abnormal conditions problems relating to The investigator plans to conduct a study into the Study into length and size of the human eye. This A continued study into the metabolism of the lens to Study into a widespread parasitic disease in domestic This study is concerned with determining more A study concerned with the hereditary factors in Grant-in-aid and fellowship awards for the fiscal year 1953-54-Continued Study to improve the safety of X-ray treatment of the eye. Study into certain structures of the human eye, par- The blood serum reaction in patients with sarcoidosis 1 This fellow is being financed by the Michael Tenzer Memorial Fund of the National Council To Combat Blindness. The CHAIRMAN. We thank you. Dr. Gordon, I feel terribly embarrassed. Miss WEISENFELD. Dr. Gordon has asked me to include in the record his statement. The CHAIRMAN. It will be included in the record at this point. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF Dan M. GORDON, M. D., NEW YORK QUALIFICATIONS Graduate of the School of Medicine, University of Michigan, 1932. Diplomate of the American College of Ophthalmology. Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology. Fellow of Pan-American Ophthalomological Society. Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery (Ophthalmology) Cornell. University Medical College. Assistant, attending staff, New York Hospital. Chairman of the medical board of the National Council to Combat Blindness. Member of the American Medical Association and New York State and New York County Medical Societies. Fellow of the American Medical Association. Consultant to the Council on Pharmacy, American Medical Association. A pioneer in the introduction of ACTH and cortisone into ophthalmology. Member of the National Advisory Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness Council. Author of various ophthalmological articles. Special consultant in ophthalmology to the Surgeon General United States Public Health Service. The organization of the average medical school eye department in this country has not been conducive to the conduction of a good eye research program, until recently. Since ophthalmology is primarily a clinical subject, most eye departments are headed by part-time clinicians, who (for the most part) are too busy with their private practices to devote much time to their departments or to research programs. Those who are and were desirous of carrying out intensive research projects on a large scale involving ophthalmologists, chemists, physicists and other allied technical skills were (and are) stymied by lack of funds. Most departments still lack adequate funds with which to carry out their necessary teaching programs; and depend upon part-time men who devote their time free. Postgraduate programs are virtually nonexistent in most medical school eye departments excepting for the training of their own immediate house staffs (interns and residents). During the last decade or so there has been a gradual change in the organizational policies of many medical schools in the direction of building up the socalled minor specialties (eye, ear, nose and throat, dermatology, neurology, etc.) into major departments. This has involved the gradual replacement (where funds could be found) of part time heads, etc., by full time men and the addition of other full time men; with the concommitant stimulation of subspecialization within the field of ophthalmology. This latter has meant that many well trained men are now devoting themselves to the study of various problems within the broad field of ophthalmology (such as diseases of one part of the eye, the various diseases involving the eye and the brain together, etc.) Since problems and fields tend to overlap this intense concentration on, what appear to be, very small areas within a broad field has actually meant that as one problem is solved, a key has automatically been furnished which may open the door to the solution of a related problem. As a matter of fact there has been an awakening consciousness of the fact that the eye is part of the whole body and is involved in the ilnesses of the latter. A good example of this is diabetes, a general disease which is high in the list of causes of blindness. One of your own Members of Congress is blind as a result of diabetes. Another example is that the hormones ACTH and cortisone which were brought out for the relief of arthritis have proved more valuable in the treatment of certain blinding eye diseases. It is to the eternal credit of |