The Vision of Children Foundation

The Vision of Children Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the eradication of childhood hereditary blindness and vision disorders. The Foundation progresses towards this goal by sponsoring scientific research leading to the prevention and treatment of these conditions. Founded in 1990 in association with the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, the headquarters were moved to San Diego in 1993. Samuel A. Hardage, Chairman, and his wife Vivian Hardage, Board Member, founded the Vision of Children Foundation in 1990 after their son, Chase, was born with Ocular Albinism, a genetic disease which severely impairs vision. Told by doctors that there was no cure or treatment for Chase’s condition, Mr. and Mrs. Hardage investigated and found twenty-five other related genetic conditions which cause childhood blindness and vision disorders. Termed orphan diseases, these conditions have been historically under-represented and under-funded. The Hardages established the Vision of Children Foundation to represent individuals and families affected by these diseases and to promote focused research leading to a cure for these devastating disorders.