Articles tagged with Blindness
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Scientists reviewed 80 years of research on facial expressions in blind people to determine if they express emotions in the same way as sighted individuals. The study found that blind people use the same muscles to express individual emotions, suggesting an innate and universal emotional character.
Researchers have identified that visually impaired people use the timbre, in addition to pitch and loudness, of echoes to navigate their surroundings. This skill is similar to animal echolocation but differs in how humans use sound to locate objects.
Researchers have developed a novel photoswitch that restores visual function in blind mice by activating retinal neurons. The light-sensitive molecule, DAD, targets bipolar cells, offering advantages over previous approaches. This breakthrough provides a promising alternative for treating vision loss.
Researchers at KU Leuven found that blind individuals, including those without eyeballs, use the ventral-temporal cortex to categorize visual observations. This region is divided into smaller areas, each recognizing a particular category, such as faces, body parts, and objects.
Researchers found that humans prefer internal visual information generated by the brain to external images from the real world. This bias was observed in a study where participants chose between identical visual objects one generated internally and another externally displayed.
Researchers found that smiling makes a person appear to be two years older due to associated wrinkles. In contrast, surprised expressions are perceived as youthful, contradicting common perceptions of age and emotions.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center developed a personalized visual training program to reroute visual information around damaged areas of the brain. Patients regained large swaths of rudimentary sight, with some able to recover vision enough to drive again.
Researchers at Tufts University successfully treated blind tadpoles with a serotonin receptor drug to induce nerve growth and promote visual learning, enabling the animals to process visual information from their grafted eyes. The study provides a potential road map for promoting innervation in regenerative medicine.
A new study found that birds with longer beaks have larger blind areas in front of their heads, resulting in narrower fields of binocular vision. This finding suggests that the size of the blind area plays an important role in birds' vision.
A new study led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers found that the brains of blind individuals make new connections to compensate for visual information, enhancing abilities like hearing, smell, touch, memory, and language. The findings could lead to more effective rehabilitation efforts for blind individuals.
A Florida clinic's unproven stem cell treatment blinded three women with macular degeneration, causing vision loss and other complications. The treatment, which involved injecting fat cells into the eyes, lacked proper scientific design and oversight.
Scientists identify α2δ4 as essential for photoreceptors to connect with neural circuit, enabling proper vision. The study suggests manipulating α2δ4 may help preserve vision in degenerative conditions like age-related macular degeneration.
Advances in telemedicine and anti-VEGF treatments offer new hope for patients with retinopathy of prematurity. New technologies are transforming the care of ROP patients, enabling more widespread treatment options.
Researchers discover mutations in the REEP6 gene as a significant contributor to retinitis pigmentosa, a leading inherited eye disorder. The study identifies seven new cases of patients with tunnel vision and vision loss, shedding light on the genetic basis of this devastating disease.
Researchers evaluated two adeno-associated virus vectors in non-human primates to assess gene expression efficiency and immunogenicity. The results provide insight into the safety and effectiveness of these gene therapy approaches before initiating clinical trials in humans.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a holy grail of gene editing, allowing precise DNA insertion into adult organs and tissues. This breakthrough enables partial restoration of visual responses in blind rodents and holds promise for treating retinal, heart, and neurological diseases.
Research by Dr. Przemyslaw Sapieha and colleagues suggests that a diet rich in fat can alter the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and increased risk of wet AMD, a blinding form of age-related macular degeneration. The study provides new insights into the role of gut microbes in disease prevention.
Researchers at LA BioMed have discovered a low-cost eye drop solution that is equally effective to expensive antibiotics in treating bacterial keratitis. The povidone-iodine solution has the potential to save thousands of lives by preventing blindness in developing countries.
Dr. Aaron McGee is awarded the Disney Award for Amblyopia Research to investigate approaches for improving recovery from amblyopia and reversing loss of depth perception. His research aims to 're-open' critical periods in adulthood to enhance brain circuitry flexibility.
Researchers recommend a new eye pressure test to check for high eye fluid pressure after cataract surgery, which can cause swelling and vision loss. The test has been shown to reduce the risk of cystoid macular edema by 2.5-4 times.
A new study published in PLOS Biology shows that the adult brain retains residual capacity to process restored or artificial visual inputs. Blind individuals who received a prosthetic implant were able to recognize unusual visual stimuli and improve their perception over time with extensive training.
A wearable artificial vision device has vastly improved the daily productivity of visually impaired patients, with an average score of 9.8 out of 10 after one week of use. The device, which clips to glasses and features a miniature camera, recognizes text and faces, and reads them aloud via a bone-conduction earpiece.
A new study from LA BioMed found that lower-income minority patients and healthcare providers have markedly divergent perceptions of the barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening. Patients reported financial burden and depression as major obstacles, while providers deemed other factors more significant.
Researchers found that patients are willing to participate in telemedicine for diabetic retinopathy screening if it is convenient and tailored to their needs. The study suggests that telemedicine could ease the burden on patients who face high costs, lack of access, or difficulty with transportation.
A recent study published in Diabetes Care journal reveals a significant rise in diabetes-related vision loss worldwide. The 20-year period saw a 64% increase in people with moderate or severe vision impairment due to diabetes, primarily attributed to poor glucose control and limited access to eye health services.
A new study by the University of Leicester has identified details in fossil vertebrate eyes that shed light on how vertebrates evolved their complex eyes. The research shows that ancient species of hagfish could see, while living counterparts are blind, revealing a 'reverse evolution' process.
The risk of blindness caused by spinal fusion surgery has decreased nearly three-fold since the late 1990s, with an estimated 60% decline over two decades. The study attributes this reduction to advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques and changes in anesthesia practice, such as stricter blood pressure limits during surgery.
A new, rare blind planthopper species has been discovered exclusively in a Brazilian cave. The species, Iuiuia caeca, is a small, yellowish insect that measures only 3mm, and its unique characteristics make it essential for understanding subterranean biodiversity.
Researchers are designing cooperative robots to empower people with disabilities to safely travel and navigate unfamiliar environments. A gaze-controlled robotic system is also being developed to enable people with motor impairments to fetch objects by looking at them.
The US is projected to see a doubling of visual impairment and blindness cases by 2050, with the greatest burden on non-Hispanic white women and African Americans. The National Eye Institute predicts that 2.15 million non-Hispanic white women will be visually impaired by then.
A USC study predicts that the US prevalence of visual impairment and blindness will more than double over the next 35 years. The number of Americans with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts is expected to skyrocket, impacting individuals and society.
The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in the US is projected to double in the next 35 years due to an aging population. Minority groups, particularly African Americans, are at a higher risk, with Hispanic individuals experiencing a significant increase in blind rates.
Researchers discover large secondary eyes in a spider species enable it to catch larger, more nutritious prey, which may explain the evolution of these enlarged eyes. The findings suggest the spiders' nocturnal nature and reliance on vision to hunt for prey on the ground.
Researchers have designed three new eyeglasses using high-power prisms to optimally expand the visual fields of patients with hemianopia, a condition that affects over one million Americans. The new devices address limitations of existing prism technology and may provide additional range of vision when scanning in both directions.
A miniature camera using optical character-recognition technology mounted on eyeglasses significantly improves the ability to read and perform daily living activities. The device, called OrCam, recognizes text, faces, and commercial products, offering a new hope for those with age-related macular degeneration or advanced-stage glaucoma.
A portable artificial vision device improved daily living tasks for 12 legally blind participants, who performed better when using the device than with their best-corrected visual acuity alone. The device recognizes text, faces, and objects, providing an effective low-vision aid despite technical limitations.
A pioneering gene therapy has restored vision to patients with a rare form of genetic blindness for up to four years, providing sustained improvement and raising hopes for a cure. The treatment involves injecting a virus into the eye to deliver billions of healthy genes, replacing a key missing gene.
A team of scientists from Queen's University Belfast is collaborating on a novel gene therapy approach to reverse diabetes-linked blood vessel damage to the retina. The research aims to prevent disease progression and restore visual function, addressing a global challenge affecting over 90 million people.
A study comparing blind and sighted participants reveals that language learning shapes gesture patterns, with Turkish speakers producing more separated sentence units. The findings suggest that speech carries the imprint of the language, marking it as a source of cross-linguistic variation in gestures.
Researchers at Penn Vet have found that retinal cells continue to differentiate and divide before overwhelming cell death causes degeneration, a common feature of inherited blindness diseases. This study suggests that this feature may be present across many forms of inherited blindness.
A global study estimates that 101.2 million people suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive error (URE), while seven million are blind. The study, published in Optometry and Vision Science, suggests that providing access to affordable glasses could improve the burden of vision loss.
Rutgers University students Jason Kim and Professor Howon Lee created 3D Braille maps for the Joseph Kohn Training Center using a high-tech 3D printer. The goal is to help blind and visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings with ease.
By 2050, nearly half the world's population will be short-sighted, with up to 1 billion at high risk of blindness. The rapid increase in myopia is attributed to environmental factors such as decreased time outdoors and increased near work activities.
Researchers have discovered two microRNAs, miR-155 and miR-184, that are directly related to the severity of inflammation in trachoma. The study found that increased expression of miR-155 and decreased expression of miR-184 are associated with higher levels of conjunctival inflammation.
A research team at the University of Iowa uses proteomics to create personalized molecular diagnoses, tailoring treatments to individual patients. By analyzing protein profiles, doctors can identify specific disease causes and develop targeted therapies.
Researchers used CRISPR to repair a genetic mutation responsible for retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited condition causing blindness in at least 1.5 million cases worldwide. The study marks the first time researchers have replaced a defective gene associated with a sensory disease in stem cells derived from a patient's tissue.
Researchers have successfully corrected a blindness-causing gene mutation in stem cells derived from a patient's skin cells, offering hope for personalized, precision medicine. The technology uses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to repair the damaged gene, and the corrected tissue can be transplanted without harm.
A new gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 has been shown to improve vision in rats with inherited blindness. The researchers successfully removed a genetic mutation that causes the disease, allowing the rats to see better. Further development is needed, but this breakthrough offers hope for treating inherited diseases.
Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno are developing a wearable robotic device that combines vision, tactile, force, temperature, and audio sensors to help blind and visually impaired individuals identify and grasp objects. The device aims to provide greater independence and ability to navigate daily tasks.
Researchers found that infants of blind parents paid less attention to adults' eye gaze compared to those with sighted parents. However, these infants developed advanced visual attention and memory skills, suggesting active learning from their blind caregivers.
Two new risk prediction tools can identify patients with diabetes who are at high risk of serious complications, such as blindness and amputation. The tools use variables that patients are likely to know or that are routinely recorded in general practice computer systems.
Researchers developed two new risk prediction tools to identify patients with diabetes at high risk of blindness and amputation, using existing patient data. The tools aim to personalize care and advice for those in greatest need.
A University of Arizona-led study found that patients taking levodopa, a treatment for Parkinson's disease, are less likely to develop macular degeneration. The study suggests l-dopa may delay or prevent the disease, potentially leading to new treatments and improved eye health.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between Parkinson's treatment and protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common form of blindness. The study suggests that patients taking L-DOPA as Parkinson's treatment may be less likely to develop AMD, with delayed or prevented disease progression.
E.A.S.Y. LLC has received a $1 million NIH grant to develop an interactive graphics printer that translates conventional graphics to raised-line versions for the blind, enabling them to take math and science courses like sighted students. The printer will be used in schools nationwide to create accessible worksheets.
Researchers discovered that intrinsic neural connections can be used to help the blind detect their environment, making tasks easier and more intuitive. The study used a sensory substitution device to translate images into sound, allowing blind people to associate different sounds with features of their environment.
Researchers warn that up to 1 billion people could be blind by 2050 if current interventions are not developed and implemented. Myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, with 80-90% of school leavers in East Asia affected.
Researchers characterized two genetic mutations linked to achromatopsia in dogs and found that they destabilized molecular channels essential to light signal transduction. The findings provide new insights into the molecular cause of blindness and present opportunities for conducting preclinical assessments of curative gene therapy.
Albert La Spada, a UC San Diego professor, has received a $900,000 Harrington Scholar Award to develop a therapy for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a rare neurological disorder. His research may also have implications for Parkinson's and ALS.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine have elucidated a genetic interaction between SIX6 and p16INK4a that may prove key to the development and progression of glaucoma. Inhibiting p16INK4a expression could offer a new therapeutic approach for the disease, which is currently treated by lowering intraocular pressure.