named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Macula Foundation Publications Archive
Comprehensive archive of peer-reviewed research publications supported by the foundation, focusing on macular and retinal diseases.
Research on Macular Diseases
Scientific investigations into age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, and other retinal conditions, leading to novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Biomedical Research and Innovation 4 activities
- Advances diagnostic imaging techniques for macular diseasePioneered the development and clinical application of key imaging methods including indocyanine green (ICG) angiography with digital imaging, enhanced depth imaging OCT, and multimodal imaging protocols that enable improved visualization of choroidal and retinal structures in macular diseases.
- Co-develops international clinical guidelines and consensus definitionsLeads collaborative efforts with international organizations (APVRS, AAPPO, ARI, AEEC, APOIS) to establish standardized definitions, diagnostic criteria, and management guidelines for conditions including central serous chorioretinopathy, pachydrusen, and non-advanced AMD using Delphi consensus processes.
- Conducts and supports research on macular and retinal diseasesPerforms innovative research on age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, pachychoroid disease, and other retinal conditions using advanced imaging technologies such as OCT, OCT angiography, EDI OCT, Swept-Source OCT, and ICGA. Research includes discovery of novel biomarkers, disease phenotypes (e.g., polypoidal choroidal neovascularization, retinal angiomatous proliferation), and structural findings like outer retinal tubulation.
- Develops and publishes authoritative medical texts and atlasesAuthored and published The Retinal Atlas, a widely recognized medical textbook translated into seven languages and awarded the Prose Award; also supported the publication of a second edition and a textbook on pathologic myopia. These works include comprehensive guidance on fundus fluorescein angiography and integration of modern imaging and therapeutic advances.
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Vision Research Funding 2 activities
- Funds research and teaching in macular diseaseAwards grants totaling over $50 million to support scientific research and educational initiatives focused on macular diseases, including funding for preclinical studies that contributed to FDA approval of anti-VEGF therapies like Macugen.
- Supports specialized research centers and collaborative programsProvides ongoing support to the LuEsther T. Mertz Research Center at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and collaborates with device manufacturers on OCT angiography research projects.
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Medical Professional Education & Training 1 activity
- Provides retinal fellowship training and academic collaborationCollaborates with Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital (Northwell Health) and academic institutions including Columbia University and NYU to offer two-year retinal fellowship programs that train future specialists in retinal diseases and research.
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Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
- Supports dissemination of scientific knowledge through publications and conferencesFacilitates the publication of research in peer-reviewed ophthalmic journals, maintains a public archive of supported research, and organizes regional and national meetings to share scientific discoveries related to the macula.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$174K
Contributions & grants$172K99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$321K
Program expenses30%
Admin / overhead70%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$70K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$11.81M
Cash$503K
Investments$11.18M
Liabilities$198K
Net assets$11.62M
Liquid reserves437.3 mo
4 years on record · 2018–2023
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 6
- DR JACK DODICK — DIRECTOR
- DR KURT GITTER — VICE PRESIDENT
- DR LAWRENCE A YANNUZZI — CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENT
- DR NICHOLAS YANNUZZI — DIRECTOR
- JERRY H LABOWITZ — TREASURER
- MATTHEW TRACHTENBERG — DIRECTOR
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- ALSTAR2 Study Group Partner — Conducts baseline research on retinal pigment epithelium changes during the aging-AMD transition.
- Academia Retina Internationalis Partner — Collaborated on international consensus and guidelines for central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- Academia Retina Internationalis Partner — Partners in developing international consensus and guidelines on central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- Academy of Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology Partner — Co-develops international guidelines on central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- Academy of Asia-Pacific Professors of Ophthalmology Partner — Collaborated on international consensus and guidelines for central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology Government — Awarded the Charles Scheppens Award to members of the investigating team.
- Asia Pacific Vitreo-retina Society Partner — Collaborated on international consensus and guidelines for central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- Asia Pacific Vitreo-retina Society Partner — Collaborates on international consensuses and guidelines for central serous chorioretinopathy and pachydrusen.
- Atlantic Coast Retinal Club Partner — Recognized a member of the investigating team as Guest of Honor.
- Columbia University Partner — Collaborates on retinal fellowship training and supports collaborative research within the Retinal Department.
- Dr. David Guyer Partner — Investigator supported by The Macula Foundation in the discovery of MACUGEN, the first approved Anti-VEGF drug for wet macular degeneration.
- Dr. Lawrence Yannuzzi Partner — Scientific advisor who collaborated with Dr. Mort Goldberg to seek FDA approval for intraocular injection of Anti-VEGF drugs.
- Dr. Mort Goldberg Partner — Collaborated with Dr. Lawrence Yannuzzi to visit the FDA to obtain approval for intraocular administration of Anti-VEGF drugs.
- Eye Tech Study Group Partner — Collaborated on preclinical and phase 1A clinical evaluation of an anti-VEGF pegylated aptamer for treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration.
- French Ophthalmological Society Partner — Recognized a member of the investigating team as Guest of Honor.
- German Ophthalmological Society Partner — Invited a member of the investigating team as keynote speaker.
- IntRIS Symposium Partner — Inducted a member of the investigating team into the Hall of Fame of the American Academy of Retinal Specialists.
- Japanese Vitreoretinal Society Partner — Established the 2026 Lawrence A. Yannuzzi Award in honor of a foundation member.
- Macula Foundation supporters Partner — Individuals or organizations supporting the Macula Foundation who authored and edited a textbook on pathologic myopia.
- Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital Partner — Collaborates on retinal fellowship programs and research; hospital is now part of Northwell Health.
- NYU Partner — Involved in joint retinal fellowship education programs with Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and The Macula Foundation.
- Northwell Health Partner — Partnership through affiliation with Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital for retinal education and research.
- OCT Angiography device manufacturers Partner — Collaborates with four companies manufacturing OCT angiography devices to support research on their technology.
- Retina Society Partner — Collaborated with The Macula Foundation on the presentation of research at the 50th Annual Retina Society Scientific Meeting.
- Retina Society Partner — Recognized a member of the investigating team as Guest of Honor.
- TRACER (intermediate age-related macular degeneration) study group Partner — Collaborated on a Delphi consensus statement to define a minimum set of outcome measures for non-advanced age-related macular degeneration.
- TRACER Study Group Partner — Collaborates on establishing a minimum set of outcome measures for non-advanced age-related macular degeneration.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Advanced Imaging as a Research and Diagnostic Enginemethodology: advanced_imaging_innovationBy leveraging non-invasive and multimodal imaging technologies, the foundation enables deeper visualization of retinal and choroidal structures, advancing both research and clinical understanding of macular disease mechanisms.
- Collaborative Research and Consensus Standardizationmethodology: consensus_guideline_developmentBy convening expert panels and using structured consensus methods like the Delphi process, the foundation establishes standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines for retinal conditions, improving clinical coherence and advancing the field through validated, evidence-based practices.
- Research-Driven Knowledge Advancementmethodology: evidence-based_researchBy supporting innovative, evidence-based ophthalmic research—including long-term clinical follow-up and early-stage retinal innovation—the foundation generates new scientific understanding of macular diseases, leading to improved treatments and vision outcomes.