| History of the NKCF |
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The National Keratoconus Foundation was founded in 1986 by Morry and Rita Pynoos when their son was diagnosed with keratoconus. At that time, there was no organization established which would provide guidance and information about what life was like with keratoconus. There was little information available and no way to contact others with this condition.
Morry and Rita Pynoos
The Pynoos family were the founders of the Discovery Eye Foundation and the NKCF became a sister organization. Incorporated in California in 1993, the NKCF developed a board of directors who all had some family connection to keratoconus. As a result of the dedication of the board of directors, those with keratoconus had a resource for referrals, information and questions. The NKCF was initially funded by a grant from Jane and Norman Neely. Norm Neely, who had keratoconus, was frustrated by the lack of information available about this condition. The NKCF was created to raise awareness of keratoconus, provide information and support to those with this eye condition and to support research to find the cause of keratoconus, identify treatment options and eventual cure for keratoconus. In 2006, as part of a broad strategic plan the NKCF re-joined the Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF). This consolidation will provide the NKCF an opportunity to expand our professional resources and services. NKCF operates under the Discovery Eye Foundation’s non profit status. It maintains its own advisory board. |
