Gigi and Carl Allen Envision Research Institute

The Gigi & Carl Allen Envision Research Institute (ERI), which is part of Envision, Inc. in Wichita, Kansas, is removing functional barriers for people with blindness or vision loss through innovative and applied research.

Visual impairment can have a profound impact on a person’s ability to function in daily life, with impairment ranging from mild to severe, including total blindness. Age-related diseases can cause vision loss later in life, leading to decreased independence, isolation and depression. Premature birth, genetics and birth defects can affect vision in the youngest children, presenting lifetime barriers to education and assimilation in the community. 

Today, because of technological and medical advances, the premature birth survival rate is increasing, and the adult lifespan has been lengthened. Progress on both of these fronts means that the number of people with blindness or vision loss is increasing — and will continue to do so. There’s never been a more urgent need for low vision advancement, education and awareness. 

ERI website: research.envisionus.com