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Aging immune cells increase risk for macular degeneration

As people age, their immune systems age, too. And new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that aging immune cells increase the risk for age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the United States.

5 Apr 2018

NTU Singapore and SERI team invents new 'pen camera' to detect patients with glaucoma

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, with clinicians from the Singapore Eye Research Institute, have invented a new 'pen camera' that makes it easier for doctors to diagnose patients with glaucoma.

5 Apr 2018

First-in-human clinical trial of retinal implant to treat dry AMD

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects more than 1.75 million individuals in the United States. Because the population is aging, that number will increase to almost 3 million by 2020. Between 80 and 90 percent of cases in this country are the dry version of the condition, for which no effective treatment exists.

5 Apr 2018

New trial to test stem cell-based retinal implant for dry age-related macular degeneration

Physicians and researchers at the USC Roski Eye Institute have collaborated with other California institutions to show that a first-in-kind stem cell-based retinal implant is feasible for use in people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.

4 Apr 2018

Cataract surgery can be safely performed on Ebola survivors with eye disease

Cataract surgery can be safely performed on Ebola virus disease survivors with impaired vision, Emory Eye Center ophthalmologists and 40 colleagues around the world report.

4 Apr 2018

FDA-approved drug for chemical abortion shows promise for treatment of vestibular schwannoma

Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers have shown that mifepristone, a drug currently FDA-approved for chemical abortion, prevents the growth of vestibular schwannoma cells. This sometimes-lethal intracranial tumor typically causes hearing loss and tinnitus

3 Apr 2018

Researchers highlight the need to reconsider mitochondrial replacement moratorium

Mothers with mitochondrial DNA mutations often give birth to children who face incurable and fatal illnesses. But a much-studied form of mitochondrial replacement could prevent the transmission of such diseases from mothers to children, researchers say.

28 Mar 2018

FDA permits marketing of Dexcom G6 integrated continuous glucose monitoring system

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today permitted marketing of the Dexcom G6 integrated continuous glucose monitoring system for determining blood glucose (sugar) levels in children aged two and older and adults with diabetes.

28 Mar 2018

Study uncovers new genetic cause of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy

A new genetic cause of corneal dystrophy has been discovered with funding from Fight for Sight by researchers at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital London, in collaboration with colleagues in the Czech Republic.

22 Mar 2018

Immune cells can repopulate in the retina after elimination, mice study shows

Immune cells called microglia can completely repopulate themselves in the retina after being nearly eliminated, according to a new study in mice from scientists at the National Eye Institute.

21 Mar 2018

Adults skipping vaccines may miss out on effective new shingles shot

Federal officials have recommended a new vaccine that is more effective than an earlier version at protecting older adults against the painful rash called shingles. But persuading many adults to get this and other recommended vaccines continues to be an uphill battle, physicians and vaccine experts say.

20 Mar 2018

Robocall increases diabetic retinopathy screening rates among poor minorities

Automated reminder calls may be an effective tool to improve screening for diabetic eye disease among low-income minority patients, especially African Americans, a new study finds. The study results will be presented Monday at ENDO 2018, the Endocrine Society's 100th annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.

20 Mar 2018

Stem cell-derived ocular cells treat severe AMD

In July 2015, 86-year-old Douglas Waters developed severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD). He struggled to see things clearly, even when up close.

19 Mar 2018

Study highlights potential of ASO therapy to treat Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients

A proof-of-concept study carried out at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology with funding from Fight for Sight has highlighted the potential of a targeted antisense oligonucleotide therapy to treat Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients with a mutation in the TCF4 gene.

12 Mar 2018

UIC researchers examine how arsenic affects development of diabetes

A five-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences will help researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago answer basic questions about the role of arsenic in the development of diabetes and examine the mechanisms by which selenoproteins - found in the human body in 25 different forms - counter the effects of arsenic.

9 Mar 2018

Duke scientists pinpoint new therapeutic target for macular degeneration

Duke Researchers have pinpointed a new therapeutic target for macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects over 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness in adults over 60.

6 Mar 2018

Researchers develop gene therapy that treats a form of macular degeneration in canine model

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a gene therapy that successfully treats a form of macular degeneration in a canine model.

6 Mar 2018

Researchers develop method to make adult cardiomyocytes divide and repair damaged hearts

Some organisms have a remarkable capacity for regenerating tissue. If a fish or salamander suffers heart damage, for instance, their cells are able to divide and successfully repair the injured organ. Imagine if you could do the same.

2 Mar 2018

UAB scientists explore gene therapy for frontotemporal dementia

Gene therapy has shown promise for treating a neurodegenerative disease known as frontotemporal dementia and a related condition called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, according to new findings presented in the Journal of Neuroscience by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

1 Mar 2018

Fraunhofer researchers pursue gentle approach to treat microbial keratitis

Microbial infections of the cornea can have serious consequences, including blindness in the worst case. The treatment of keratitis, a condition caused by certain pathogens, always presents major challenges to ophthalmologists.

1 Mar 2018

Blindness News and Research

Aging immune cells increase risk for macular degeneration

NTU Singapore and SERI team invents new 'pen camera' to detect patients with glaucoma

First-in-human clinical trial of retinal implant to treat dry AMD

New trial to test stem cell-based retinal implant for dry age-related macular degeneration

Cataract surgery can be safely performed on Ebola survivors with eye disease

FDA-approved drug for chemical abortion shows promise for treatment of vestibular schwannoma

Researchers highlight the need to reconsider mitochondrial replacement moratorium

FDA permits marketing of Dexcom G6 integrated continuous glucose monitoring system

Study uncovers new genetic cause of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy

Immune cells can repopulate in the retina after elimination, mice study shows

Adults skipping vaccines may miss out on effective new shingles shot

Robocall increases diabetic retinopathy screening rates among poor minorities

Stem cell-derived ocular cells treat severe AMD

Study highlights potential of ASO therapy to treat Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients

UIC researchers examine how arsenic affects development of diabetes

Duke scientists pinpoint new therapeutic target for macular degeneration

Researchers develop gene therapy that treats a form of macular degeneration in canine model

Researchers develop method to make adult cardiomyocytes divide and repair damaged hearts

UAB scientists explore gene therapy for frontotemporal dementia

Fraunhofer researchers pursue gentle approach to treat microbial keratitis

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