Articles tagged with 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 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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that blind areas in central vision can delay drivers' ability to detect pedestrians, even when using peripheral vision. The study suggests that any binocular central field loss might impact a driver's reaction time.
Scientists have found that training can effectively reduce the size of the human blind spot, improving vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration. The researchers trained participants on a direction-discrimination task for 20 consecutive weekdays, resulting in a 10% reduction in functional blindness.
A recent study investigates how blind individuals characterize others by race, revealing a slower and less automatic process than sighted individuals. Blind participants categorized fewer people by race due to the slower pace of assigning race, which typically occurs with extensive interactions rather than casual encounters.
A brief period of postnatal visual deprivation rewires the brain's visual processing areas, even after normal vision is restored. This crossmodal competition highlights the role of early experience in shaping brain function.
A new laser-based microscope allows researchers to directly measure protein interactions and organization in live cells, providing insights into the chemistry of vision. The project aims to find a potential cure for congenital blindness by understanding how proteins absorb light and trigger visual responses.
A researcher at Georgia State University has received a grant to study an eye disease that causes vision loss and blindness in HIV-immunosuppressed patients. The goal is to understand the mechanisms of HCMV retinitis and find ways to prevent or treat the debilitating disease.
Researchers found that vision-restoring gene therapy leads to strengthening of visual pathways in the brain, even after decades of near blindness. The treatment restored nearly intact retina-brain connections, suggesting that unused pathways rebuilt themselves.
A team of biologists reviewed nearly 900,000 experiments and found non-blind trials averaged a 27% stronger result than blind trials. The study suggests less than one in four experiments used blind data recording.
A clinical trial is underway at the Royal Alexandra Hospital to test a new gene therapy treatment for choroideremia, a genetic disorder that causes inherited blindness. The treatment involves injecting a customized virus into the retina to transfer a healthy gene, with promising results already seen in early patients.
A three-year clinical trial results show that the Argus II device improves visual function and quality of life for people with retinitis pigmentosa by up to 89%. The study found no device failures after three years and no negative impact on patients.
Researchers have identified a gene, PRDM8, linked to early loss of night vision in animal models. Gene therapy for Leber's congenital amaurosis shows promising results, but temporary improvements are seen.
Research by Dr. Mel Goodale shows that blind echolocation experts recruit regions of the brain associated with visual perception when making echo-based assessments of objects. They can also perceive material properties such as hardness and density through auditory cues, an effective form of sensory substitution for vision.
Researchers found that DRAM2 gene mutations lead to loss of central vision and peripheral vision loss in older individuals, likely due to reduced autophagy and photoreceptor renewal. The discovery sheds new light on the condition and highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions.
A study of 3,353 Chinese adults in Singapore found the prevalence of glaucoma to be 3.2%, with primary open-angle glaucoma affecting 1.7% and primary angle-closure glaucoma affecting 1.5%. The study also highlighted the need for increased public awareness of this potentially blinding condition.
A new non-invasive OCT technology has been developed that can improve the clinical management of macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and glaucoma, the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The technology allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, enabling more timely intervention to prevent irreversible loss of vision.
RetroSense Therapeutics, a Wayne State University start-up, has received the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award for its innovative optogenetic gene therapy approach. The technology has the potential to treat all forms of blindness due to degenerated photoreceptors.
Researchers tested Mike May, who regained sight at 49, and found he could see colors and motion but struggled with complex visual processing. The study provides valuable information on how vision develops and which tasks are most vulnerable to sight deprivation.
Researchers found that the brain's visual cortex retains fundamental topographical and functional connectivity organizational principles, including retinotopic mapping, in people born blind. The study dispels the notion that blindness impairs brain development.
Researchers attach microstimulator and geomagnetic compass to blind rat brains, allowing them to learn new navigation skills. The findings suggest that humans could also expand their senses through artificial sensors, restoring allocentric sense in blind individuals.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have identified a protein in the retina crucial for vision, which can be harnessed to prevent and slow down retinal degenerative diseases. The discovery offers new hope for treating blindness and visual impairments.
Scientists at Monash University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts to vision loss by discovering a second pathway for visual information. This new pathway, through the pulvinar area of the brain, plays a crucial role in rerouting visual information following injury or trauma.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel method to generate transplantable corneal stem cells, which may benefit patients with life-altering forms of blindness. The study shows that these cells can differentiate into corneal cells in the laboratory, offering a promising treatment option.
New research reveals that unexpected brain connectivity can lead to fast brain specialization, allowing humans to adapt to rapid technological and cultural innovations. Blind individuals using sensory substitution devices activate specialized brain areas for tasks such as reading and recognizing numerical symbols.
Researchers discovered that calcium phosphate deposits, known as hydroxyapatite, are a key triggering factor for AMD. The study found these deposits form around HAP and cause damage by blocking nutrient flow and waste removal in the retina.
Scientists studied a woman with low vision since birth whose vision was restored through surgery. While the brain's visual cortex showed some plasticity, full normal functioning was not regained after several months. The study has implications for predicting outcomes in individuals considering eye surgery.
An international research team identified a critical gene linked to childhood blindness and vision loss. The study reveals that mutations in this gene affect phospholipid metabolism, leading to photoreceptor death and vision impairment.
A new report from the Lasker/IRRF Initiative for Innovation in Vision Science explores approaches to restoring sight to those with retinal degeneration. The initiative aims to identify promising methods and accelerate discovery of treatments.
Researchers discover that echolocation can induce a 'size-weight illusion' in blind individuals, similar to sighted people's experience. This finding suggests that echolocation may have the potential to be a complete sensory replacement for vision.
Research warns that bariatric surgery patients who don't take their prescribed supplements, especially Vitamin A, are at risk of eye-related complications such as night blindness and dry eyes. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to severe consequences like total blindness if left undetected.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1) as a new target for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study suggests that insufficient FHL-1 in the eye's back may lead to inflammation and vision loss.
A new method predicts AMD progression on a personalized basis by analyzing imaging data from routine retinal scans. The formula distinguishes likely from unlikely progressors by analyzing patient data collected by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
The EyeCane device translates point-distance information into auditory and tactile cues, enabling users to better estimate distance and navigate their environment. After less than five minutes of training, both blind and blindfolded individuals successfully estimated distances almost 70% of the time.
Researchers at IRCM uncover the essential role of a protein called Numb in maintaining proper compartmentalization within photoreceptor cells, leading to vision loss and degenerative diseases like retinitis pigmentosa. The discovery could provide novel drug targets for preventing photoreceptor degeneration.
Researchers have identified a novel source of stem cells in the corneal limbus that can be directed to behave like photoreceptor cells, potentially treating conditions like age-related macular degeneration. These cells can also be cultured from older eyes and may offer a promising approach for new treatments.
Researchers found that statin use decreased the risk of diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and gangrene in individuals with diabetes. However, statin use did not affect the risk of kidney disease.
A University of Cincinnati experiment using the Enactive Torch found that visually impaired individuals can make accurate judgments about their ability to pass through narrow passages using only touch. The device emits vibrations when detecting objects, allowing users to navigate with greater ease.
A new oral medication has improved visual function in blind patients with Leber congenital amaurosis, a devastating retinal degeneration. The study found that the drug awakened dormant retinal cells, allowing patients to see and improving their visual fields and acuity.
The LA BioMed project aims to develop integrated and comprehensive care models to help Centinela Valley residents manage their diabetes. The goal is to prevent long-term complications such as kidney failure, amputations, and blindness.
A recent study by the University of Waterloo found that most prescription labels in Canada do not follow recommended guidelines for legibility. The researchers suggest that improving label appearance can be achieved without new technologies or larger labels, and recommends a patient-centered approach to labelling standards.
A new study at UC Berkeley reveals that people perform better with tactile technology when using multiple fingers and hands, especially for visually impaired participants who outmaneuvered their sighted counterparts