Blindness News and Research

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Blood cell-free RNA signatures can predict preterm birth months in advance

Children born before 37 weeks of gestation have a considerably increased risk of dying before they reach the age of five.

25 May 2025

Powerful new toolkit targets vision loss in advanced retinal degeneration

Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive vision loss as the light-sensing cells of the eye-the photoreceptors-die due to mutations in genes needed for their function and survival.

23 May 2025

EMA designates allopurinol as first orphan drug for the treatment of Marfan syndrome

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has designated allopurinol as the first orphan drug for the treatment of Marfan syndrome, a rare connective tissue disease which as no cure to date.

19 May 2025

USPSTF urges universal syphilis screening in pregnancy to prevent congenital infections

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reaffirms its recommendation for universal syphilis screening in pregnancy, citing strong evidence for early detection and prevention of congenital syphilis. Despite ongoing disparities and rising rates, early screening and treatment remain essential to improving outcomes for mothers and infants.

18 May 2025

Cultural comfort: How pasta became Italy’s edible happiness ritual

A multi-method study of over 1,500 Italians found that pasta consumption is consistently associated with increased happiness, especially when eaten socially. Psychological traits like mindfulness and lower stress enhanced these positive emotional effects.

11 May 2025

Vitamin supplement slows glaucoma progression in animal studies

A vitamin supplement that improves metabolism in the eye appears to slow down damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma.

8 May 2025

Anti-parasitic drug could accelerate the elimination of infection endemic to Africa

Tens of millions of people in Africa are infected by parasitic worms that cause lymphatic filariasis (also called elephantiasis), a disease that leads to severe swelling and deformities of the limbs and genitals.

7 May 2025

How urine caffeine levels may help detect diabetic eye damage early

Researchers found that higher urinary levels of caffeine and specific metabolites, especially in men, were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy risk. The cross-sectional study used NHANES 2009–2014 data and highlights potential biomarkers for early detection in diabetic populations.

7 May 2025

Low blood sugar linked to retinal damage in diabetic eye disease

In a new National Institutes of Health-funded study led by scientists at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have determined that low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, may promote a breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, an important boundary that regulates the flow of nutrients, waste and water in and out of the retina.

6 May 2025

NR2F1 promotes cataract formation by activating STAT3 pathway

Cataracts are a prevalent ocular condition characterized by a progressive decline in vision, ultimately leading to blindness.

30 Apr 2025

Carotid artery plaque contains elevated micronanoplastics

People with plaque in the blood vessels of their neck have a higher amount of tiny plastic particles in those vessels compared to people with healthy arteries.

22 Apr 2025

New research aims to illuminate the causes of age-related macular degeneration

It's an unfortunate fact of aging: Live long enough and, eventually, reading this sentence will get difficult, even impossible.

21 Apr 2025

Why measles is back in the U.S. and what doctors must know now

Measles is making a troubling comeback in the U.S., driven by declining vaccination rates and rising vaccine hesitancy. Pediatric infectious disease experts provide clinical guidance to help healthcare providers recognize, manage, and prevent measles in today’s outbreak-prone environment.

14 Apr 2025

India, China, and the US will drive global diabetes burden by 2050, study finds

Global diabetes deaths and disability are rising, particularly in India, China, and the US, with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) driving the trend. Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) burdens are declining, but inequalities are widening, and projections show a steep rise in T2DM by 2050.

9 Apr 2025

GP comments on gonorrhea as antibiotic resistant cases rise

Sexual health expert and GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Bhavini Shah (she/her) explains who is most at risk of gonorrhoea and the symptoms to be aware of:

9 Apr 2025

New approach to combat influenza and herpes with bean-based gum

In today's interconnected world, infectious diseases pose an escalating threat, as demonstrated by the coronavirus pandemic and outbreaks of H1N1, SARS, Ebola, Zika, and H5N1 (bird flu) viruses-all of which have had significant global health and economic impacts.

4 Apr 2025