Indiana University has announced a $30 million gift from community leaders Eugene and Marilyn Glick to establish the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute at the Indianapolis-based IU School of Medicine.

Two-thirds of the gift will support construction of a new building and the advancement of education and eye care at the school, while the remaining $10 million will be used to create an endowment supporting research on glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and other eye diseases. Many of these diseases are prevalent among older adults and not yet curable, and as the population of seniors continues to grow, the incidence of vision loss is expected to rise. The gift will also support the school's ophthalmology programs, creating opportunities to recruit specialists who can attract both research funding and talented residents who are training to become ophthalmologists.

"It is my hope that some day researchers will find a way to prevent or cure glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other diseases that rob us of our sight," said Marilyn Glick. "My dream is that as a result of our gift, major breakthroughs will be made at the Glick Eye Institute of the Indiana University School of Medicine."