Medical research

Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK and throughout the world. So every penny invested into research is vital. 

In the past decade, the International Glaucoma Association (IGA), which doesn't receive any public income, has ploughed £2.5 million of its funds into advances in treatments for glaucoma.  Around half of this money is from legacies.

"Without the generous donations we receive from wills, a huge proportion of the research we fund just wouldn't get done," says the association's chief executive, David Wright. "The work we have been involved in over the last 10 years has meant that people who would previously have gone blind can now see.  Anyone who leaves a legacy to us is investing in sight, not blindness - they are helping make a huge difference to people's lives."

The IGA was formed more than 30 years ago at King's College Hospital, London.  Since then it has provided free advice and support.

"Our policy has always been to offer help," explains David. "None of us knows whether glaucoma will affect us in later life, or will be a problem for our children. But by leaving money to us in your Will, you will help us to find ways to help sufferers with new techniques for many years to come."