The goal of the VRP is to transform visual system trauma care for our Armed Forces and the nation. Eye injury accounted for approximately 15% of all injuries from battlefield trauma sustained during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Surveillance data from the Department of Defense (DOD) showed more than 275,000 eye injuries in the U.S. Armed Forces between 2000 and 2017. More than 6,000 of the injuries were categorized as having a high risk of blindness. In addition, statistics from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence show that, through the third quarter of 2022, more than 468,000 Service Members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can have significant impact on vision even when there is no injury to the eye. The FY23 VRP challenges the scientific community to design innovative research that will significantly advance the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and/or treatment of eye injury or visual dysfunction associated with military exposure. Research outcomes are expected to ultimately improve the care of Service Members and Veterans as well as the American public.
Awards:
Various
Anticipated Funding Amount:
$1,600,000
Letter of Intent:
Please contact the program director.
Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s):
5:00 p.m. Eastern time (ET), July 14, 2023
Full Proposal Submission Deadline:
11:59 p.m. ET, November 8, 2023
Contacts:
CDMRP Help Desk Phone: 301-682-5507 Email: help@eBRAP.org
