Glaucoma Research Studies That Change Lives and Save Sight

CGF Research brings together clinicians, scientists, patients, and philanthropy to support research aimed at understanding how eye pressure is regulated and why it becomes abnormal. Defining the anatomic structures that make up the eye’s natural drainage system is essential to understanding how this regulation can fail in glaucoma.

The Marian and Julius Tills Glaucoma Research Fund provides a cornerstone for this expanding research program. A key strength of CGF Research is that important scientific questions often arise directly from clinical observations in patients and are then investigated collaboratively with clinician-scientists in the United States and internationally.

Clinical evaluations at Glaucoma Associates of Texas led to the first published evidence of valve-like structures within the drainage system of the living human eye. Because this drainage system plays a central role in regulating eye pressure, identifying and understanding these structures may provide an important missing piece in explaining why eye pressure becomes elevated in glaucoma.

These observations are now forming the basis for ongoing collaborative research with investigators in the United States and physician-scientists on two other continents to determine how these valve-like structures influence eye pressure and aqueous outflow.

Dr. Ronald Fellman notes, “This research is already influencing how we think about and manage glaucoma, guided by what we continue to learn from our patients—our best long-term teachers.”

The Marian and Julius Tills Glaucoma Research Fund – In Honor of Ronald L Fellman, MD

“This endowment is a major commitment to help fund key research that bridges the gap from laboratory to clinical research. In addition, our patients have taught us a great deal about glaucoma over the decades,” said Dr Fellman.

The funds will be directed to laboratory and clinical research of the eye’s natural drainage system. Furthermore, patients are our best teachers because their signs and symptoms can provide important insights into glaucoma.

Research can expand these “pearls of wisdom,” while CGF shares glaucoma knowledge worldwide. In addition, the research team at CGF has its pulse on the research. We have been actively involved in clinical research for over 40 years, with major contributions in the field. Therefore, let’s go to the next level together and make this legacy fund have an impact.

​​​​​​​​​My best,​​​​​​​​​

Ronald L Fellman, MD

My Mother was a patient of Dr Fellman first, then my Father, and now my Son and myself.

Because of our deep feelings of love, respect, and admiration for my Parents, it is our desire to honor their wonderful legacy through one of their personal passions with this Glaucoma Research Endowment Fund in honor of Dr Fellman’s utmost devotion to his patients and passion for the advancement of a cure for glaucoma.

We are excited about his research on what causes glaucoma, and feel this fund will be a catalyst to a cure. Moreover, because of the way my Parents felt about Dr Fellman and since my son Rob and I have that same appreciation, we know my parents are each looking down with a gleam of love in their eyes that means “eye love you!”

❤️ Kelly Tills