The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences specialises in retinal diseases, of which macular disease and macular degeneration form a significant proportion.
Thanks to Mrs Williams’ generous legacy, researchers will now undertake a range of pioneering studies into macular disease.
One of the studies will explore unsolved cases of inherited macular dystrophy, with researchers using next-generation DNA sequencing data to identify the genes and variants responsible and establish any inheritance patterns.
Susan Downes, Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Oxford, says: “We are so grateful for the Jean Williams donation. This will have such a huge impact on our ability to carry out research into the causes and treatments for inherited macular disease.”
Her cousin and executrix Jan Winstanley, says: “Blindness doesn’t affect just one person, it affects the whole family. The Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences is doing astonishing things in the field, so I am excited to see what happens in the next few years. My mother, grandmother, and great grandmother were also affected by the disease and while unfortunately this groundbreaking research couldn’t help my family, it could help millions of people.”
Monica Brown, Head of Charity Advisory and Programmes at CAF, says: “Eyesight is precious, but it’s something that we can take for granted. Jean and her family have had a long history with macular disease, which makes this gift all the more meaningful. We hope that Jean would be very happy with her legacy and that her gift benefits many generations to come.”
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