Dear Friends and Supporters of the VDM Project,

As we reflect on the past year, we would like to share an annual update on the progress made through the Vitreous Degeneration & Myodesopsia (VDM) Project.

Thanks to your continued support, 2025 has marked a period of meaningful scientific validation, clinical advancement, and growing global recognition for a condition that for too long has been underestimated.

Advancing Recognition Through Science

Over the past decade, our work has focused on one core mission: ensuring that patients suffering from vision-degrading myodesopsia are properly heard, measured, and treated. This effort has led to the development and validation of the Vitreous Floaters Functional Questionnaire (VFFQ-23), a patient-centered diagnostic tool designed to objectively assess the real-life impact of floaters.

In 2025, this work reached several important milestones.

The American Medical Association published the validation study of the VFFQ-23, formally accrediting it for clinical use. Shortly thereafter, a comparative study accepted by the American Journal of Ophthalmology demonstrated that the VFFQ-23 performs on par with—and in key aspects exceeds—the NIH-established VFQ-25, positioning the VFFQ-23 as a new reference standard for evaluating patients with vitreous floaters.

Earlier this year, the American Academy of Ophthalmology also published our two-decade clinical experience involving 651 patients with vitreous degeneration and myodesopsia—the largest single-center case series worldwide. This work provides critical guidance for clinicians in identifying which patients can be safely observed and which may benefit from targeted intervention.

Therapeutic Progress with Patient Impact

In parallel with diagnostic advances, therapeutic research has continued to move forward. In collaboration with The Retina Clinic in London, we conducted a clinical trial on YAG Laser Vitreolysis that is now nearing completion. Early results are highly encouraging, demonstrating both subjective and objective improvements in many patients. Importantly, appropriate use of this treatment has reduced the need for vitrectomy by approximately 90%, sparing many patients from invasive surgery. These findings have been submitted for presentation at ARVO 2026, the world’s largest international eye research meeting.

A Growing Global Movement

A recent bibliometric analysis published in International Ophthalmology reviewed all global scientific publications on vitreous and floaters from 1999 to 2023. The study concluded that research activity in this field has increased dramatically, identifying vitreous floater management as a rapidly emerging research hotspot. Notably, this analysis recognized our body of work as the most productive globally—an acknowledgment that reflects the consistency, rigor, and long-term commitment behind the VDM Project.

Looking Ahead to 2026

While these achievements represent real progress, they also highlight how much work remains. Millions of patients worldwide continue to struggle with vision-degrading floaters, often without access to validated diagnostics or evidence-based treatment pathways. Our goal for 2026 is to build on the momentum of this year—expanding research, refining clinical protocols, and accelerating education so that progress in the laboratory translates into relief for patients.

How You Can Help

The VDM Project is sustained by supporters who believe that scientific rigor, compassion, and perseverance can change standards of care. If you share this vision, we invite you to consider making a donation to support our work in 2026. Your contribution directly fuels research, education, and clinical advancement—helping us continue the same trajectory of progress and hope for patients worldwide.

Thank you for standing with us on this journey.

Support the project here: https://fundrazr.com/vdmresearch

Together, we are transforming understanding into impact.

With gratitude and determination,

Dr. Jerry Sebag

VMR Research Foundation