University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Receives $40M Gift for Eye Research

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has received a $40 million philanthropic gift from an anonymous donor, a patient at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center. This contribution is among the most significant in the department’s history and is set to accelerate research, treatment, and innovation in ophthalmology.

Transforming Vision Science Through Philanthropy

The Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, Colorado’s only academic eye center, serves approximately 115,000 patients annually. The newly established Department of Ophthalmology Research Endowment—funded through this gift—will support work aimed at treating and potentially curing eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, advancing basic science, and integrating artificial intelligence into vision care.

“This transformational gift was made possible by one of our longstanding philanthropic partners, whose family holds a deep passion for improving health and healthcare in Colorado and beyond,” said Donald M. Elliman, Chancellor of CU Anschutz. “Their generous investment has established the Department of Ophthalmology Research Endowment, which will provide resources to speed innovation and research with the potential to save and restore sight.”

Long-Term Impact and Immediate Advancement

While a portion of the donation is available for immediate use, the remainder will serve as ongoing support, ensuring long-term sustainability for the department’s research and clinical initiatives. This funding comes at a time when the CU Department of Ophthalmology has shown exceptional progress:

       • 60 patents have been awarded since 2020

       • At least 13 technologies have been invented and licensed to industry

       • Innovations include the Kahook Dual Blade, a tool used in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

Accelerating Research from Lab to Clinic

Dr. Naresh Mandava, Chair of the CU Department of Ophthalmology and the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Endowed Chair in Retinal Diseases, emphasized the strategic importance of this gift:

“We have a tremendous opportunity to fuel our research enterprise, which is fundamental to clinical care. This gift will allow us to translate technology from the lab to the patient faster than before.”

Supporting Landmark Research Initiatives

The donation will also reinforce the Eye Center’s ongoing programs, including:

       • CellSight, which focuses on developing stem cell-based therapies for vision restoration in blinding diseases

       • The University of Colorado Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Registry, which supports AMD research with data from nearly 2,000 enrolled patients