Blindness News and Research

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Gene therapy provides life-long protection to photoreceptor cells in animal model of retinitis pigmentosa

A collaboration between scientists in the UK and the USA has shown that gene therapy can give life-long protection to the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells responsible for colour vision in a mouse model of the most common inherited eye disorder.

15 Jul 2015

Up-to-date treatment and diagnostic guidelines for diabetic retinal degeneration

Around 600,000 Austrians suffer from diabetes. This condition is frequently associated with serious retinal disorders. Along with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinal degeneration is one of the most common causes of blindness. The Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry at MedUni Vienna was chosen by the European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) to coordinate the development of up-to-date treatment and diagnostic guidelines.

9 Jul 2015

Simple blood test could detect early stages of type 1 diabetes

Scientists at the MRC's Clinical Sciences Centre in West London are the first to show that a small molecule circulates in the blood of people who are in the early stages of type 1 diabetes. A simple blood test could detect this biological marker years, maybe decades, before symptoms develop.

9 Jul 2015

WSU researcher secures $1.25 million NIH grant to study role of rosiglitazone drug in reversing preeclampsia

Sascha Drewlo, Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has secured a $1.25 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to study the role of approved drugs to improve placental function.

8 Jul 2015

UT Arlington, UNTHSC scientists to build prototype for implantable shunt flow monitoring system

Scientists from The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of North Texas Health Science Center are building a prototype for an implantable in-line shunt flow monitoring system that would deliver both on-demand and continuous readings of hydrocephalus.

8 Jul 2015

New NEI study shows that microglia can accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders

Spider-like cells inside the brain, spinal cord and eye hunt for invaders, capturing and then devouring them. These cells, called microglia, often play a beneficial role by helping to clear trash and protect the central nervous system against infection. But a new study by researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that they also accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

2 Jul 2015

Implantable microfluid system can efficiently stabilize intraocular pressure

Elevated or diminished eye pressure impairs our ability to see, and in the worst cases, can even lead to blindness. Until now, there has been no effective long-term treatment. In response, Fraunhofer researchers are developing an implantable microfluid system that can efficiently and durably stabilize intraocular pressure.

1 Jul 2015

Practice caution with Fourth of July fireworks, urge Vanderbilt doctors

Fireworks and the Fourth of July can be a dangerous mix. Doctors at Vanderbilt University Medical Center urge caution with consumer fireworks and suggest leaving these displays to the experts.

1 Jul 2015

WHO/UNICEF: Lack of progress on water and sanitation threatens to undermine child survival, health benefits

Lack of progress on sanitation threatens to undermine the child survival and health benefits from gains in access to safe drinking water, warn WHO and UNICEF in a report tracking access to drinking water and sanitation against the Millennium Development Goals.

1 Jul 2015

Canada's first human gene therapy trial for choroideremia now underway at Royal Alexandra Hospital

Canada's first human gene therapy trial for eyes -- the replacement of a faulty gene with a healthy one -- is now underway at the Royal Alexandra Hospital to preserve and potentially restore vision for people with a genetic disorder that leaves them blind by middle age.

30 Jun 2015

UAB optometrist offers tips to keep eyes healthy during summer months

While the warm summer months are perfect for spending time outside, several environmental factors can spell trouble for eyesight. One University of Alabama at Birmingham optometrist says knowledge of what to do, and what not to do, will keep eyes healthy.

26 Jun 2015

Researchers develop protective vaccine against chlamydia infections

Chlamydiae are the most common, sexually transmitted, bacterial pathogens in the world. Every year around 100 million people contract Chlamydia infections, which are one of the main causes of female infertility and ectopic pregnancies and can also lead to blindness - especially in developing countries.

25 Jun 2015

Researchers advance stem cell therapy to block vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have taken a significant step forward in their efforts to use stem cells to block vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects millions of people with diabetes.

25 Jun 2015

Innovative formula prevents risks, painful treatments in people with secondary blindness

The Mexican company "Medical and Surgical Center for Retina" created a way to transport drugs, in order to avoid risks and painful treatments in people with secondary blindness due to chronic degenerative blindness such as diabetic retinopathy and degeneration of the eye.

25 Jun 2015

'Bionic eye' improves visual function, quality of life for people with retinitis pigmentosa

The three-year clinical trial results of the retinal implant popularly known as the "bionic eye," have proven the long-term efficacy, safety and reliability of the device that restores vision in those blinded by a rare, degenerative eye disease.

24 Jun 2015

Scientific collaboration pinpoints genetic cause of rare form of blindness in newborn babies

A scientific collaboration, involving the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary's Hospital, UK, and the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine in Naples, Italy, has pinpointed the genetic cause of a rare form of blindness, which can present itself as a key-hole shaped defect in the eye in newborn babies.

24 Jun 2015

New 'smart insulin patch' could help patients suffering from diabetes

Painful insulin injections could become a thing of the past for the millions of Americans who suffer from diabetes, thanks to a new invention from researchers at the University of North Carolina and NC State, who have created the first "smart insulin patch" that can detect increases in blood sugar levels and secrete doses of insulin into the bloodstream whenever needed.

23 Jun 2015

Benitec, ReNeuron collaborate to launch new exploratory cellular therapy program

Benitec Biopharma is pleased to announce the launch of a new exploratory cellular therapy program including exosome-based delivery utilising the Company's proprietary ddRNAi technology. Entry into these areas have been facilitated by the commencement of a collaboration with UK-based stem cell therapeutics company, ReNeuron.

22 Jun 2015

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics announces FDA approval of VITROS Chemistry Products HbA1c Reagent Kit for diagnosis of diabetes

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the VITROS Chemistry Products HbA1c Reagent Kit to be used on the VITROS 5600 Integrated System, VITROS 4600 Chemistry System, and the VITROS 5,1 FS Chemistry System. The test can be used for the quantitative determination of percent glycated hemoglobin A1c (DCCT/NGSP) and mmol/mol hemoglobin A1c (IFCC) in human whole blood.

From Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. 22 Jun 2015

Oraya IRay Radiotherapy System for AMD treatment receives Silver award at MDEA 2015

Oraya Therapeutics Inc.and Bridge Design announced today that the Oraya IRay Radiotherapy System has won the Silver award in the radiological and electromechanical devices category of the 18 Annual Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA).The winners were announced at a ceremony in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center in conjunction with the MD&M East event.

22 Jun 2015

Blindness News and Research

Gene therapy provides life-long protection to photoreceptor cells in animal model of retinitis pigmentosa

Up-to-date treatment and diagnostic guidelines for diabetic retinal degeneration

Simple blood test could detect early stages of type 1 diabetes

WSU researcher secures $1.25 million NIH grant to study role of rosiglitazone drug in reversing preeclampsia

UT Arlington, UNTHSC scientists to build prototype for implantable shunt flow monitoring system

New NEI study shows that microglia can accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders

Implantable microfluid system can efficiently stabilize intraocular pressure

Practice caution with Fourth of July fireworks, urge Vanderbilt doctors

WHO/UNICEF: Lack of progress on water and sanitation threatens to undermine child survival, health benefits

Canada's first human gene therapy trial for choroideremia now underway at Royal Alexandra Hospital

UAB optometrist offers tips to keep eyes healthy during summer months

Researchers develop protective vaccine against chlamydia infections

Researchers advance stem cell therapy to block vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy

Innovative formula prevents risks, painful treatments in people with secondary blindness

'Bionic eye' improves visual function, quality of life for people with retinitis pigmentosa

Scientific collaboration pinpoints genetic cause of rare form of blindness in newborn babies

New 'smart insulin patch' could help patients suffering from diabetes

Benitec, ReNeuron collaborate to launch new exploratory cellular therapy program

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics announces FDA approval of VITROS Chemistry Products HbA1c Reagent Kit for diagnosis of diabetes

Oraya IRay Radiotherapy System for AMD treatment receives Silver award at MDEA 2015

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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