Articles tagged with Blindness
Wolfgang Baehr will receive the Nelson Trust Award and funding to continue researching retinal diseases that lead to blindness. The award supports his work on understanding phototransduction and retina diseases.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin made a breakthrough in treating AMD by finding that IL-18 suppresses abnormal blood vessel growth behind the retina. Low doses of IL-18 have shown no adverse effects on the retina, offering a promising non-invasive treatment option.
Scientists found a 'continuity field' that smooths out object features, allowing us to perceive stability in the real world. This discovery explains why we often miss subtle changes in movies and everyday life.
Rates of blindness have halved in high-income countries over the past 20 years, falling from 3.314 million to 2.736 million people. Macular degeneration has become the leading cause of blindness in rich countries, replacing cataracts.
Researchers at Hebrew U. show blind individuals can perceive colors, shapes, and object categories through non-invasive sensory aids, challenging traditional brain function understanding.
A new £7.1 million grant will support the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium, which aims to tackle avoidable blindness and improve quality of eye care across the Commonwealth. The programme will deliver fellowships, research, and technology to strengthen health systems and provide accessible care.
A recent study explores the mental state of returning veterans, finding that many struggle with identity conflict and feel 'alien' among family and friends. The research highlights the need for broader dialogue around veteran experiences beyond diagnosable illnesses like PTSD.
A new compound called DENAQ has been found to restore light perception in blind mice by conferring sensitivity on ganglion cells. The treatment, which requires only a single injection, shows promise as a potential vision-restoring drug, but further testing is needed for safety and efficacy
A team of researchers developed the EyeMusic, a sensory substitution device that enables blind individuals to recognize basic shapes and colors through pleasant auditory representations. Users were able to correctly identify shapes and colors after minimal training, indicating potential for widespread use.
A study by Mass Eye and Ear researchers found significant plasticity in the visual system after extended blindness, leading to improvements in contrast sensitivity tests. The findings suggest that the critical period for vision development may be longer than previously thought.
Dr. Jason I. Comander has received a $250,000 Research to Prevent Blindness Career Development Award to study patients with inherited retinal degenerations, including retinitis pigmentosa. The award aims to develop techniques for high-throughput functional characterization of human genetic variation and mutation in retinitis pigmentosa.
Glaucoma blindness risk has dropped by half in the last generation, according to Mayo Clinic research. The study found a significant decrease in the probability of going blind in at least one eye due to glaucoma.
The probability of blindness from glaucoma has decreased by nearly half since 1980, with advances in diagnosis and therapy likely contributing to the reduction. However, a significant proportion of patients still progress to blindness, emphasizing the need for continued research and vigilant eye exams.
A special issue of IOVS addresses the aging eye, focusing on unmet needs and accelerating clinical care. The issue features new research on genetics, biology, and prevention/treatment of age-related diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
A new retinal implant system called the Argus II has shown positive results in helping people with retinitis pigmentosa recognize common objects. The device uses a miniature camera and electrodes to stimulate cells in the retina, creating patterns of light perception.
A team of researchers identified the TBC1D20 gene as responsible for Warburg Micro syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe physical and mental impairments. The study found that five distinct mutations in the gene cause the disease, with implications for understanding human development and related disorders.
A new study finds that high temperatures and low rainfall influence trachoma transmission in Africa, with eye-seeking flies more active at higher temperatures and abundant in areas with low rainfall. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020, but understanding all factors affecting the disease is crucial.
A study found that congenitally blind subjects have lower heat pain thresholds and increased sensitivity to cold pain stimuli compared to sighted individuals. This suggests a permanent state of pain hypersensitivity due to the absence of visual cues, which allows for immediate detection and avoidance of potentially hazardous situations.
A cognitive science study reveals that at least 50 percent of people can perceive the movement of their own hand even without light, suggesting brain combination of sensory information. Synesthetes, individuals who experience blending of senses, also showed improved visual perception.
Researchers at the University of Montreal discovered that even completely blind people can detect light through a novel photoreceptor in the retina, allowing their brains to 'see' and respond to environmental changes. This study found that light enhances brain activity during cognitive tasks, improving alertness and mood.
A team of University of Washington computer scientists has developed a software program called Eyes-Free Yoga, which uses Microsoft Kinect to track body movements and provide auditory feedback for six yoga poses. The program allows blind and low-vision individuals to participate in yoga exercises in a more comfortable setting.
A new PRA gene has been identified in the Phalene and Papillon dog breeds, causing progressive blindness in dogs. The CNGB1 mutation is linked to human retinitis pigmentosa, highlighting the shared genetic etiology of canine and human diseases. Genetic testing can help breeders avoid affected puppies and provide a diagnostic tool.
A new smartphone app developed by Pakistani researchers can help sufferers of night blindness navigate safely in low-light conditions. The app uses GPS to track the user's location and estimate remaining daylight hours, allowing them to plan safe routes and avoid being caught out at night.
Israel's unique blend of medical innovation, universal accessibility and patient compliance leads to significant reduction in preventable blindness rates. The country's success in preventing avoidable blindness has emerged as a world leader, making it an attractive model for other nations.
Researchers found that people who are blindfolded employ the same strategy to intercept a running ball carrier as people who can see, suggesting multiple areas of the brain cooperate to accomplish the task. The constant target-heading angle strategy allows for effective capture in various situations.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are developing a new stem cell therapy approach to treat limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency, a common cause of corneal blindness. The goal is to create a corneal cell source for transplantation using induced pluripotent stem cells from patients' own eyes.
Researchers discovered that blind individuals can utilize echolocation skills similar to bats and dolphins to pinpoint object locations. The study also showed that high-frequency sounds (above 2 kHz) are crucial for effective performance.
Researchers have developed a virtual gaming environment to assist blind individuals in improving navigation skills and developing cognitive spatial maps of unfamiliar buildings. The technology uses audio cues and computer-generated layouts to mimic real-world navigation tasks, allowing users to generate accurate mental layouts.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that age-related macular degeneration is prevalent in Kenya, causing visual impairment and blindness. The condition was detected in 12.4% of the population aged over 50, with advanced stages found in 1.2%.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that Mary Ingalls likely suffered from viral meningoencephalitis, which caused her blindness, rather than scarlet fever. The study analyzed historical records and Laura Ingalls' memoirs to reach this conclusion.
A new optical prescription for automobile side-view mirrors eliminates blind spots without distorting the perceived distance of cars approaching from behind. The design features a horizontally progressive mirror with three resolution zones, offering a greatly expanded field of view and reliable depth perception.
Researchers discovered that high-density bands in photoreceptor outer segments are more susceptible to breakage due to their rigidity. This finding supports the idea that mutations causing rhodopsin aggregation can destabilize the outer segment, leading to cell death and blindness.
Researchers identified 27 genetic loci associated with central corneal thickness, a key factor in blinding eye conditions like glaucoma and keratoconus. This discovery offers new insights into the causes of these diseases, enabling better management and prevention.
A meta-analysis conducted by researchers from China found a strong association between smoking and the risk of age-related cataracts. Current smokers were found to have a higher risk of incidence compared to non-smokers, while former smokers also showed an increased risk of certain subtypes of cataract.
A new type of firework has caused severe eye injuries and blindness in children and adults at public events, including bonfire night celebrations. Doctors call for stricter controls on the use and distribution of fireworks to prevent such accidents.
A new study by Professor Nilli Lavie and colleagues found that focusing on remembering an image can lead to 'blindness' in detecting visual information. The research, published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, reveals a pathway of competition in the brain between new visual information and short-term memory.
Researchers developed an Audiobased Environment Simulator to help blind users learn about a new space using only audio cues. Blind participants played the virtual reality game and showed improved navigation skills in real-world environments.
Researchers deciphered the neural code of a mouse retina and created a novel prosthetic device that restores normal vision. The device uses a chip to convert light patterns into electrical impulses, which are then sent to the brain via light-sensitive proteins.
A team of international scientists has identified the new gene responsible for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a devastating genetic form of blindness in newborns. NMNAT1 is crucial for life and produces a vital coenzyme called NAD, involved in hundreds of reactions in the cell.
A team of scientists has discovered a chemical that temporarily restores some vision to blind mice by making normally 'blind' cells sensitive to light. The approach holds promise for treating humans with degenerative blindness, including retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
A new sensory substitution device called EyeMusic has been developed to assist the visually impaired in performing daily activities. The device uses pleasant musical tones and scales to convey visual information, allowing individuals to make fast and accurate movements without sight.
Researchers demonstrate blindsight in monkeys in everyday environments, finding they turn eyes to conspicuous portions of motion, brightness, or color. This discovery may indicate hidden visual function recovery for patients with hemianopia.
A recent Queen's University study found that the cheaper drug for treating wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has a higher risk of causing eye inflammation and vision loss. The research indicates that patients receiving the cheaper drug had a 12 times higher risk of serious eye issues, emphasizing the need for caution in its use.
A new driver's side mirror with a wider field of view has been patented, eliminating the blind spot for drivers. The curved mirror, invented by Drexel University math professor Dr. R. Andrew Hicks, gives drivers a wider view without significant visual distortion.
New eyewitness identification procedures being adopted by police departments across the US may lead to fewer correct identifications while reducing false errors. Researchers raise concerns that these changes could have unintended consequences and policymakers need to carefully weigh the data before making policy decisions.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a method for training blind persons to use sensory substitution devices. Participants were able to read letters and words with sizes smaller than the international standard for blindness.
Researchers discovered that metformin blocks uveitis in laboratory rats, reducing inflammation and potential for blindness. The drug's anti-inflammatory properties make it a promising alternative to steroid therapy, which has serious side effects.
A tidal wave of myopia is sweeping across East Asian countries, with up to 90% of school-leavers affected. Lack of outdoor exposure is thought to be the major cause, while increased schooling and environmental factors also play a role.
A new study by Loyola University Medical Center found that fetal membrane transplantation significantly reduces the risk of blindness in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The treatment, which involves placing amniotic membrane on the eye, can aid healing and minimize scarring.
The largest genetic study of glaucoma identified two genetic variations associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), a leading cause of blindness. The findings may lead to more effective therapies for POAG, including normal pressure glaucoma (NPG), where no curative treatments exist.
A recent study found that only 7% of donated recycled glasses were usable, making them twice as expensive as providing ready-made glasses. Donating recycled glasses is not a cost-effective solution to address avoidable blindness in developing countries.
Implementing a routine national glaucoma screening program for middle-age African American patients can be clinically effective in reducing undiagnosed glaucoma, with predicted reductions of 27% in undiagnosed glaucoma prevalence and 4.6% in glaucoma-related visual impairment. The projected cost is $80 per individual screened, and futu...
A novel gene-therapy approach to restore vision in people with blindness caused by age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa has attracted additional funding. The technology, developed at Wayne State University, uses a virus to deliver a photoreceptor gene from green algae, restoring light sensitivity to retinas.
Researchers successfully improved vision in three adult patients who previously received gene therapy in one eye, achieving better light sensitivity and navigating obstacles in dim light. No immune reactions occurred during the readministering treatment, and unexpected benefits were observed in brain responses.
Corneal specialist Dr. James Chodosh has received a $150,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness to study viral infections of the eye and identify characteristics that cause inflammation in the cornea. The goal of his research is to develop predictive models for Adenovirus-infected corneas and improve treatment options.
SUNY Downstate has been awarded a four-year challenge grant of $220,000 from Research to Prevent Blindness to develop advanced research into blinding diseases. The institution's ophthalmology team is now one of 52 institutions receiving recognition for its eye research.
Researchers develop gene therapy to correct X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic defect causing peripheral and night vision loss. The technique replaces a malfunctioning gene with a normal one, supplying a protein for light-sensitive cells to function.
Researchers at Penn Vet & Scheie Eye Inst. successfully treated dogs with X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa using gene therapy, correcting defects in the RPGR gene and restoring vision. The treatment targets both rod and cone cells, showing promise for treating other photoreceptor degenerations.
A recent study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that the Mexican cavefish has multiple evolutionary origins from ancestral stocks, despite interbreeding with surface-dwelling populations. The eyeless 'cave phenotype' has been maintained through strong selection pressure against eyes in the cave environment.
A study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reveals a significant reduction in new cases of legal blindness in Denmark, with the rate of blindness from AMD falling by over 50% between 2000 and 2010. The introduction of new treatment for wet AMD has been credited with this progress.