General Info

About the Foundation From left to right, front row: Kelly Fairchild, Clinical Research Coordinator ; Marianne Price, Ph.D., Executive Director ; Maraya Baumanis, Student Intern and Study Coordinator ; back row: Julie Benson, Development Director ; Frederico Guerra, M.D., Foundation Fellow ; and Clorissa Quillin, Clinical Research Coordinator. The Cornea Research Foundation of America ( CRFA ) was founded by Francis Price, Jr., M.D. in 1988 with a mission to establish a world center for clinical research and education specializing in corneal disease, corneal transplantation and intraocular lens surgery. A visionary physician, Dr. Price understood that corneal surgeries were increasing, in part, due to complications following cataract surgeries. He recognized a void in clinical research: to determine the most significant risk factors for increased failure rates in post-cataract patients. In response, he created a database to store and track preoperative, surgical and postoperative statistics for transplants performed since 1982 within Price Vision Group. His efforts were strengthened when the Indiana Lions Bank became involved with CRFA in 1990. Their contributions have helped maintain the burgeoning information database that now houses data over 5, 000 transplants. Although the Foundation's primary focus is on transplant data, its mission has evolved to include research of the excimer laser used in refractive surgeries. The excimer uses a cold laser to vaporize a minute area of the cornea to correct three conditions: nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In 1991, the Foundation began participating in FDA Investigational Studies * involving the use of the excimer. While previous studies sponsored by excimer manufacturers focused on gaining marketing approval for lasers, Price Vision Group was granted approval for three of its own Investigational Device Exemption ( IDE ) studies to evaluate the LASIK ( laser-assisted in situ keratomileuisis ) procedure using the excimer laser. These studies centered on improved patient safety, various therapeutic means to improve visual results, and the effect of age, gender and smoking on visual results, areas that laser manufacturers would not have pursued or funded. Patient consent is obtained for studies using human subjects. All prospective studies are done with Institutional Review Board approval and in accordance with applicable National Institute of Health and Federal Drug Administration guidelines. Since its inception, the Foundation has been led by Dr. Price's passion for innovation, lifelong learning and, to date, CRFA has participated in 80 clinical and investigational studies and published over 100 papers and manuscripts ( see Publications link on this site ). The Foundation also holds regular seminars and courses for physicians, as well as patients, regarding developments in ophthalmology. Visionary, a newsletter published by the Foundation four times a year, is disseminated to patients, ophthalmologists and optometrists.