Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research

The Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research is a major award program established in May 1994 to promote public recognition of vision research and efforts to end blindness.

Purpose: The Foundation considers this prize program to be among its most important efforts to end blindness. The prize serves as a public statement of the Foundation's aspirations and provides invaluable examples to inspire promising new researchers.

Focus Areas: Vision research, eye disease and injury research

Geographic Scope: International. The vision research community includes approximately 20,000 scientists and clinicians worldwide.

Selection Process:

• Helen Keller Laureates are selected by an international panel of biomedical researchers and physicians
• The Prize ceremony occurs at the annual convention of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
• ARVO attracts more than 13,000 scientists and physicians from over 80 countries
• The prize is awarded by Keller Johnson-Thompson, great-grand niece of Helen Keller

Partners: In 2015, BrightFocus Foundation, which advances outstanding research and public information on vision disease, joined the Helen Keller Foundation as a partner in presenting the Prize.

Selection Committee: Led by Co-Chairs Nicholas A. Delamere and Joe Hollyfield, with members including Bela Anand-Apte, J. Bronwyn Bateman, Dean Bok, Alfred Sommer, Emily Chew, Terri L. Young, Joel S. Schuman, and Lois E. H. Smith.