Articles tagged with Blindness
A five-year grant from the National Eye Institute will help investigate the retina's light-sensing structures and develop treatments for incurable retinal diseases leading to blindness. The research focuses on the photoreceptor outer segment, a process where daily new membranes are added to support vision.
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that people with early blindness and musicians exhibit similar improvements in pitch discrimination, which is attributed to reduced internal noise. This reduction in internal noise enables individuals to better distinguish between pitches, leading to enhanced hearing ability.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and international collaborators have developed an optogenetics-based treatment that improved visual function in some patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment, which combines gene therapy and visual stimulation, showed encouraging results in tests of safety and efficacy.
A new study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of optogenetic therapy for advanced retinitis pigmentosa, with 6 of 8 patients showing clinically meaningful improvements in visual tasks. The treatment, which combines gene therapy and light-stimulating goggles, enables blind individuals to detect objects and navigate their environment.
An international study found that variants in the IDUA gene, associated with mucopolysaccharidosis type I, can cause inherited retinal disease without broader health problems. The study highlights the importance of understanding how genetic variants affect the body, potentially leading to earlier recognition and treatment opportunities.
A new clinical practice guideline aims to standardize the identification and management of infants at increased risk for cerebral visual impairment (CVI). The guideline recommends comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation and referral to developmental services within the first six months of life to access interventions as early as possible.
Rising rates of ocular syphilis and ocular toxoplasmosis are putting people at risk of preventable vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of permanent sight loss. Regular eye examinations and timely reporting of vision changes are crucial in protecting sight.
Researchers have found that an oral medication called Danegaptide can protect against vision-threatening damage in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. The study highlights a new therapeutic approach that could replace or complement frequent, invasive eye injections for mill...
The latest figures from the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery show significant improvements in safety and efficacy, with complications such as posterior capsule rupture occurring at a low rate. The registry has recorded nearly five million cataract surgeries, with the most common procedure being ...
A team at the Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin recorded the retina's spontaneous electrical activity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, revealing abnormal rhythms. The findings suggest that the retina is not as silent as previously thought and that measuring its activity could help guide sight-restoring therapies. The study's result...
Researchers developed a low-cost smartphone attachment to capture diagnostic-quality eye images, which can be reviewed remotely by ophthalmologists. Community health workers and remote ophthalmologists agreed on 96% of cataract diagnoses, challenging the assumption that specialist presence is necessary for accurate screening.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education & Behavior found that adults with visual impairment have medium to high culinary skills, but still face barriers to independent meal preparation, underscoring the need for accessible cooking education and support. The study identified factors associated with culinary skill levels,...
Researchers at Kyushu University found a new molecular pathway that explains why intraocular pressure increases at night. Norepinephrine increases RHOB in the eye's drainage system, weakening its
Uwe Wolfrum's research on Usher syndrome aims to prevent vision loss in patients with the disorder. His team uses human retinal organoids and pig models to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the disease, paving the way for gene-based therapies.
Researchers developed a collagen scaffold to deliver stem cells to treat ARK, a progressive eye condition causing profound visual loss. After three months, treated eyes showed significant improvement in vision, with an average ETDRS score increase of 24 letters.
Researchers have demonstrated the potential of artificial intelligence to make future visual prostheses, like a bionic eye, more precise and predictable. By training a deep neural network to predict patterns of brain activity produced by different electrical stimulation settings, the AI-designed patterns reproduced targeted brain activ...
Researchers tested cortisone eye drops to slow ROP progression in 100 premature babies. The intervention reduced treatment-requiring ROP by 47% compared to placebo.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown waste drainage system at the back of the eye, called the posterior ocular lymphatic outflow, or POLO pathway. This discovery provides a new framework for understanding leading causes of blindness and opens opportunities for harnessing this system to treat disease.
A new study calls for formal recognition of toxoplasmosis as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. The disease, which can cause permanent vision loss, affects one third of the world's population and has significant impacts on global health.
A new study published in Eye and Vision finds that one drop of low-dose atropine can produce daylong effects in managing myopia. The researchers found that the drop showed clear changes in pupil size and focusing ability, but no short-term structural effects on the eye.
A study by the University of Turku reveals that assistance dogs actively contribute to their human's care through continuous interpretation and trust. They anticipate health status, provide mobility assistance, and offer emotional support in ways that humans cannot.
Researchers at Binghamton University have created a talking robot guide dog system that determines ideal routes and guides visually impaired users safely to their destinations. The system offers real-time verbal feedback and provides situational awareness, significantly enhancing the user experience.
Researchers linked neural activity to blind individuals' ability to determine object location using echolocation. Accuracy improved with repeated mouth clicks, suggesting a summation of information in the brain.
A University of Houston optometry researcher warns of the dangers of red-light laser myopia therapy for children, citing vision damage reports and the need for rigorous safety validation. The professor's quality improvement study found that two popular devices exceeded national standards for safety classifications.
A large-scale study found that patients taking tirzepatide had a significantly lower risk of developing new diabetic retinopathy or progressing to more severe stages. This suggests that the medication may not worsen eye health, offering relief for patients concerned about their vision.
A blind patient partially recovered natural vision through electrical stimulation of the visual cortex, independent of the implant. The recovery was sustained over time and remained even after the device was removed, suggesting individual factors may have contributed to this outcome.
A WVU research team is working to restore vision in people with inherited blindness due to genetic mutations in the Prominin1 gene. The team has observed encouraging early results using a mouse model and plans to investigate the therapy's effectiveness beyond initial restoration.
A new study estimates that over 1.6 million people in the UK will be living with glaucoma by 2060, with nearly 50% higher prevalence than previous estimates. The researchers call for expanded eye health services and increased awareness campaigns to detect early cases and prevent vision loss.
A new study from Nagoya University in Japan has found that petrolatum-based eye ointments can cause MicroShunt glaucoma implants to swell and potentially rupture. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid using these ointments on patients with the implant, particularly when it is exposed outside the conjunctiva.
A large-scale field trial in Ethiopia found no significant difference between fluorometholone and placebo treatments in reducing postoperative trachomatous trichiasis recurrence. The study, which involved over 2,400 participants, suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy may not be beneficial for improving TT surgery outcomes.
Researchers have discovered new genetic causes of inherited blindness, identifying changes in RNA genes as a key factor. This breakthrough provides clarity for dozens of families globally and opens new possibilities for diagnostics and counseling in hereditary conditions, offering hope for affected individuals and their loved ones.
Researchers identified changes in RNA molecules involved in cell's splicing machinery, causing retinitis pigmentosa in ~30-40% of patients with genetic disorder. Variants in five non-coding RNA genes were found to be responsible for the disease, offering a new diagnostic pathway for families worldwide.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that genetic variants thought to always cause inherited blindness occur in only 28% of people who carry them. The findings challenge traditional models of rare disease genetics, suggesting a need for updated understanding and potentially impacting the development of new treatments.
Philip R. Troyk, director of the Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering at Illinois Tech, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors for his groundbreaking work on neuroprosthetic devices, including an implanted cortical visual prosthesis that provides artificial vision to individuals with profo...
A new study at Rice University found that individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can accurately estimate the arrival time of an approaching vehicle using a combination of visual and auditory cues. Despite impaired central vision, participants relied on both modalities to make collision judgments.
Spanish researchers at UMH have developed a new generation of visual neuroprosthesis capable of bidirectional communication with the cerebral cortex. The system uses a small external camera to capture images, which are processed electronically and converted into electrical stimulation patterns sent to the occipital cortex. Participants...
The Leopoldina discussion paper recommends realigning German development cooperation to focus on both prevention and medical treatment for childhood blindness. The approach, called 'Global Clinical Care', aims to strengthen local care capacities and provide training for ophthalmic specialists through institutional partnerships.
A pioneering eye device has restored reading vision to people with sight loss, allowing them to read letters, numbers, and words through a prosthetic eye. The PRIMA chip operation involves an implant paired with augmented-reality glasses, enabling patients to regain their independence and confidence.
A wireless retinal implant has been shown to restore central vision in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with 81% of participants achieving clinically meaningful improvements in visual acuity. The device converted light into electrical signals, stimulating remaining retinal cells and restoring visual inform...
Researchers are testing whether low-concentrate atropine drops can delay the onset of myopia in children. The study aims to reduce the risk of sight-threatening complications later in life by decreasing how nearsighted someone becomes.
Researchers used AI to assess images of patients' eyes and predict those who needed prompt treatment, successfully sorting up to 90% of patients. The study's findings could lead to earlier treatment and reduced unnecessary monitoring for patients with keratoconus.
A team of researchers has received funding to study the PRPH2 gene, crucial for normal vision, but when mutated causes a range of retinal diseases leading to blindness. They aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of PRPH2-associated pathology to develop effective therapies.
Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham created novel mouse models with mutations in the DHDDS gene to study retinitis pigmentosa (RP) 59, a genetic cause of blindness. The studies revealed that both T206A/K42E and K42E/K42E mouse models exhibited changes in retinal structure and function similar to human RP59 disease.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss, with over 7.7 million people globally affected in 2020. The new microstent reduces excessive fluid buildup and intraocular pressure, supporting the eye's natural space and improving treatment efficacy. Its durable nickel-titanium alloy enables long-term safety and functionality.
Cohort study finds GLP-1 receptor agonist use associated with modestly increased risk of incident diabetic retinopathy; however, those with preexisting DR experience fewer sight-threatening complications. Regular screening and monitoring recommended for all T2D patients on GLP-1 RAs.
Researchers have established apple snails as a system to study eye regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease. The team discovered that the snail eye is anatomically similar to humans and can regrow itself, with genes such as pax6 playing a crucial role in development.
In a breakthrough study, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that microglia cells respond differently than neutrophils to photoreceptor damage in the retina. This discovery has high implications for treating vision loss caused by photoreceptor cell damage.
A new route of delivering gene therapy is being explored, potentially reducing invasiveness and increasing accessibility. Researchers will test a novel approach on non-human primates, aiming to expand access to office-based treatments.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown organelle called the hemifusome that plays a crucial role in cellular sorting and recycling. This discovery could lead to targeted treatments for complex genetic disorders like Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, which affects multiple systems in the body.
A new study found that increasing apolipoprotein M levels can slow or block progression of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over 50. The researchers also found that ApoM triggers a signaling pathway that breaks down cholesterol deposits.
Scientists have discovered that heparan sulfate in Bruch's membrane traps lipoproteins, leading to drusen formation and vision loss. Targeting this interaction may prevent or reverse early signs of AMD.
Researchers found that an inexpensive HIV drug can improve vision in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) more effectively and at a lower cost than existing treatments. The drug, lamivudine, is taken orally and may represent a game-changing option for millions of patients worldwide.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that global refractive correction rates are at 65.8%, six percentage points lower than in 2010, and urge urgent action to meet the WHO's target of a 40% increase by 2030.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed novel promoters that drive specific gene expression in rod and cone photoreceptors, outperforming most currently used promoters. These tools address the challenge of treating advanced stages of inherited retinal diseases, potentially restoring vision.
A recent study found that mildly elevated eye pressure can distort blood vessels and lead to oxygen deficit in the eye. Researchers used 3D modeling and fluorescent dye to investigate how ocular hypertension affects the eye, revealing a potential new method for diagnosing glaucoma earlier.
Researchers at Wayne State University are developing a new treatment to prevent diabetic corneal complications, which can lead to vision loss and poor healing. The project combines two naturally occurring peptides to target inflammation, delayed healing, and nerve degeneration.
A new study from the University of Oklahoma is targeting cell communication in the hunt for therapies to slow macular degeneration. The research team is studying how cells in the retina communicate and whether the messages they send could be programmed to treat or slow AMD.
The University of Texas at Arlington expert discusses the state's largest outbreak in 30 years, with fewer people getting vaccinated contributing to its spread. The MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles and has been proven safe despite misconceptions about its safety.
A Northwestern University study found significant disparities in glaucoma monitoring, with rural and economically distressed communities facing barriers to care. The study identified strategies to improve access, including expanding tele-ophthalmology services, home monitoring technology, and financial support.
Researchers have created a new open-source tool to optimize the placement of visual brain implants on a large scale. The tool, developed by the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, uses data from participants with intact vision to predict optimal implant locations and minimize safety risks.