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Experts examine causes, treatment and prevention of glaucoma
March 05, 2009Report from the 4th ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference
Although scientists know progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and their axons is the primary cause of glaucoma, researchers have yet to identify a way to stop or prevent the degeneration.
The challenge to find a solution brought together a panel of 39 scientists to discuss the factors that may contribute to the disease. The report from the Fourth Annual ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference examined four areas of research into the cause of glaucomatous neurodegeneration and is published in the March 2009 issue of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology's peer-reviewed journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS).
The World Health Organization estimates that 65 million people worldwide have the disease, which is the second-leading cause of blindness. According to the report by Gülgün Tezel, MD, "The Role of Glia, Mitochondria, and the Immune System in Glaucoma: Fourth Annual ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference," recent research indicates that a variety of independent events on the cellular level of the eye can interact to contribute to glaucoma.
One conference session addressed the function of glial cells, which play many roles in support of neurons throughout the body, including those in the visual system. When glaucoma stress conditions appear, glial cells may not be able to adequately support neurons or perform their other functions, especially in older patients.
In another session, researchers discussed problems related to mitochondria, which provide energy to neurons and may prove to be a pathway to prevent neural degeneration in glaucoma patients.
"Targeting mitochondrial events using a specific chemical inhibitor or genetic manipulation appears to be a logical approach for neuroprotection," the report stated.
A discussion on immune response and its effect on glaucoma suggested that the response may initially slow the degeneration of the critical neurons, but the immunity protection itself may lead to problems if not properly controlled. The session called for more study about whether immune activity creates or worsens the neuron degeneration in glaucoma.
The conference concluded with a call for more research on how these factors interact, and asked participants to search for a better understanding of the precise cellular mechanisms related to glaucoma to help find treatments that manipulate the immune system into repairing neural tissue and improving the outlook for those susceptible to glaucoma.
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
The World Health Organization estimates that 65 million people worldwide have the disease, which is the second-leading cause of blindness. According to the report by Gülgün Tezel, MD, "The Role of Glia, Mitochondria, and the Immune System in Glaucoma: Fourth Annual ARVO/Pfizer Ophthalmics Research Institute Conference," recent research indicates that a variety of independent events on the cellular level of the eye can interact to contribute to glaucoma.
One conference session addressed the function of glial cells, which play many roles in support of neurons throughout the body, including those in the visual system. When glaucoma stress conditions appear, glial cells may not be able to adequately support neurons or perform their other functions, especially in older patients.
In another session, researchers discussed problems related to mitochondria, which provide energy to neurons and may prove to be a pathway to prevent neural degeneration in glaucoma patients.
"Targeting mitochondrial events using a specific chemical inhibitor or genetic manipulation appears to be a logical approach for neuroprotection," the report stated.
A discussion on immune response and its effect on glaucoma suggested that the response may initially slow the degeneration of the critical neurons, but the immunity protection itself may lead to problems if not properly controlled. The session called for more study about whether immune activity creates or worsens the neuron degeneration in glaucoma.
The conference concluded with a call for more research on how these factors interact, and asked participants to search for a better understanding of the precise cellular mechanisms related to glaucoma to help find treatments that manipulate the immune system into repairing neural tissue and improving the outlook for those susceptible to glaucoma.
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
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Cataract surgery helps AMD patients; steroid improves DME; online eye health forum
This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) reports on a national study that finds cataract surgery is likely to benefit patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at all stages of the disease, on a clinical trial showing that the steroid triamcinolone may be effective in advanced diabetic macular edema (DME) patients when standard treatment fails, and on the public's use of two Academy-sponsored online eye health forums.
Treating ROP in tiny preemies; better glaucoma follow-up in urban clinic
Highlights of today's Scientific Program of the 2009 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO) Joint Meeting include: John T. Flynn, MD, Columbia University School of Medicine, discussing the ever-tougher challenges Eye M.D.s face in caring for the vision of the tiniest premature babies; and a report by Bradford W. Lee, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine, on barriers to glaucoma follow-up as perceived by patients in an urban, culturally diverse clinic.
First in New York: Bionic technology aims to give sight to woman blinded beginning at age 13
A 50-year-old New York woman who was diagnosed with a progressive blinding disease at age 13 was implanted with an experimental electronic eye implant that has partially restored her vision.
Toronto researchers discover novel circulation in human eye, new glaucoma treatment target
Researchers at the University of Toronto, St. Michael's Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have discovered a previously unidentified form of circulation within the human eye which may provide important new insights into glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness.
Study predicts 40 percent increase in blindness in Nigeria by 2020
By 2020, 1.4 million Nigerians over age 40 will lose their sight, and the vast majority of the causes are either preventable or treatable, according to the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Study Group.
Unlikely genetic suspect implicated in common brain defect
A genetic search that wound its way from patients to mouse models and back to patients has uncovered an unlikely gene critically involved in a common birth defect which causes mental retardation, motor delays and sometimes autism, providing a new mechanism and potentially improving treatment for the disorder.
A drug-dispensing contact lens
Taking eye drops multiple times a day can be difficult for patients to do, and because of blinking and tearing, as little as 1 to 7 percent of the dose is actually absorbed by the eye.
Clue to normal-tension glaucoma; herpes infection and corneal transplants
The July issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, includes two studies that may influence clinical treatment of serious eye conditions.
Cell's split personality is a major discovery into neurological diseases
Researchers at the Université de Montreal (UdeM) and the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), McGill University have discovered that cells which normally support nerve cell (neuron) survival also play an active and major role in the death of neurons in the eye.
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