Articles tagged with Eye Diseases
The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) is a pioneering organization developing new therapies for eye diseases. With a strong interdisciplinary approach, IOB combines basic and clinical science to address global challenges like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and myopia.
A new study led by the NIH identified roles for over two dozen genes shared with humans, many linked to human eye disorders, in causing cavefish blindness. Epigenetic regulation mechanisms have been found to play a key role in this process.
Cavefish have higher levels of DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B in developing eyes, leading to epigenetic suppression of eye development genes. This process differs from genetic mutations, which are permanent changes in the DNA code.
A new genetic cause for canine congenital eye disease has been discovered, revealing an unprecedented mode of inheritance linked to maternal genes. The study found that a deletion mutation in the RBP4 gene leads to vitamin A deficiency and blindness in affected dogs.
Machine learning has detected small vessel disease, a common cause of stroke and dementia, in CT scans more accurately than current methods. The software can identify and measure the severity of SVD, enabling clinicians to administer better treatments and predict patients' likelihood of developing dementia.
The MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh has received £53 million in funding to study human genetics. The unit will investigate genetic variations and their impact on diseases, including those affecting childhood development and cancer.
Tivanisiran, an RNAi-based compound, shows promise in treating dry eye syndrome by improving ocular inflammatory parameters and reducing symptoms. The Phase III Helix study will evaluate its efficacy in over 300 patients across six countries.
A machine learning algorithm diagnosed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with comparable or better accuracy than human experts, based on 5,511 images. The study aimed to improve diagnosis, which is currently highly subjective and variable.
A new diagnostic technique has been successfully tested at the University of Bradford, allowing for the isolation of responses from S-cone photoreceptors. This breakthrough could help in the diagnosis of diseases such as Types 1 and 2 diabetes, glaucoma, and high blood pressure.
Sylentis presents preclinical and clinical results for three ophthalmological compounds targeting dry eye syndrome, macular degeneration and eye allergies. The company is a leader in RNAi technology and has developed new treatments for ophthalmological and inflammatory illnesses.
A new randomized clinical trial found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements were no more effective than placebo in alleviating dry eye symptoms. The study enrolled 535 participants and revealed that even the highest dose of omega-3 supplements did not improve outcomes for participants.
A well-controlled trial found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements taken orally proved no better than placebo at relieving symptoms or signs of dry eye. Despite insufficient evidence establishing the effectiveness of omega-3s, clinicians and patients have been inclined to try the supplements for various conditions, including dry eye.
The study, funded by the National Eye Institute, tested oral omega-3 supplementation on patients with dry eye disease. Despite finding some improvement in symptoms and signs, researchers concluded that omega-3 supplements did not show a beneficial effect relative to placebo.
A new 'pen camera' called GonioPEN makes it easier to diagnose patients with glaucoma by detecting the type of glaucoma in a faster and cheaper manner. It causes negligible discomfort and allows doctors or trained technicians to capture high-resolution images of the eye drainage canal with minimal contact.
A bioengineered retinal implant, composed of human embryonic stem cells, has been shown to halt vision loss in advanced non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The implant was well-tolerated and successfully integrated with retinal tissue, demonstrating potential for a new therapy for this progressive disease.
ICAP has partnered with Ethiopia since 2005, providing critical support in combating malaria. The new five-year project aims to strengthen malaria diagnosis and treatment services, with an eye on long-term elimination of the disease.
Researchers report successful cataract surgeries in 34 Ebola survivors, improving visual acuities from Hand Motions to 20/30 levels. The study provides evidence for safe elective eye surgery in Ebola survivors at risk of uveitis and vision impairment.
Researchers have identified over 30 different subtypes of retinal ganglion cells, the neurons responsible for processing visual information. This comprehensive understanding will enable the development of more tailored drug development and treatment strategies for neurodegenerative vision disorders.
A new study found that automated reminder calls improved diabetic eye disease screening rates among low-income minority patients, particularly African Americans. The study showed a significant increase in retinal screenings after receiving robocall reminders, with show rates of 51.6% for African Americans and 61% for Latinos.
Researchers at UCSB developed a specially engineered retinal patch using stem cells to treat people with sudden severe sight loss from wet AMD. The study showed improvements in vision, enabling patients to read and perform daily tasks.
A new study published in the American Academy of Ophthalmology journal demonstrates an AI program that detects diabetic eye disease with improved accuracy by incorporating expert feedback from retina specialists. The research provides a groundwork for developing automated systems for screening patients at risk for diabetic retinopathy.
Researchers have developed a gene therapy that successfully treats a form of macular degeneration in dogs, which could lead to a human treatment for an untreatable disease. The therapy works by repairing the connection between retinal cells, restoring vision.
The NIH-led AMD Ryan Initiative Study (ARIS) will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers aim to identify biomarkers of disease progression and develop therapies to halt its progression.
Researchers developed an AI-based computational tool to screen patients for common retinal diseases, achieving over 95% accuracy in diagnosis. The tool also showed promise in diagnosing childhood pneumonia with over 90% accuracy, highlighting its potential applications in healthcare.
Two novel ocular hypotensive agents, netarsudil and latanoprostene bunod, have been approved for use in humans, reducing intraocular pressure with lasting results. These breakthrough drugs also show promise for treating dry eye disease and delivering ophthalmic drugs via microneedles.
Researchers found that very long-chain meibum is essential for preventing dry eye disease. Mice with deleted Elovl1 gene developed cloudy corneas and signs of dry eye disease after five months.
A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataract as the general population. The relative risk is highest among individuals aged between 45 and 54, who are up to 5.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with cataract than their healthy counterparts.
Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center found a connection between eye damage and cardiovascular disease in people with type 1 diabetes, suggesting shared biological mechanisms. The study also showed that kidney disease was not necessarily linked to cardiovascular disease, challenging previous assumptions.
A $2.2 million grant will fund research into genetically controlled breaks in the external limiting membrane, which could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for ESCS and other retinal diseases. The study aims to understand how these breaks contribute to disease progression.
Researchers from Osaka University have identified an antibody that alleviates symptoms in neuromyelitis optica in rats by suppressing RGMa. The study uses a new localized animal model to investigate the correlation between inflammation and motor function disruption.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an improved gene delivery tactic for treating glaucoma, a leading blinding disease. The new method doubles the transfer of genes entering target cells and spreads them more uniformly across the trabecular meshwork tissue.
Restasis, approved by FDA in 2003, shows no direct improvement in symptoms but is marketed as treatment for chronic dry eye disease. The drug's extensive marketing campaign created a perceived need, driving $8.8 billion in US sales between 2009 and 2015.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new plasmonic biosensor that detects diseased exosomes with high sensitivity using the naked eye. This breakthrough technology enables rapid recognition of inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, and other conditions, allowing for timely treatment initiation.
A deep learning computing system developed to classify retinal images can detect diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration with high accuracy. The study used 494,661 retinal images from diverse patient populations.
A new compound developed by Sylentis can penetrate the retina to treat age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy with ophthalmic drops. The drug blocks the formation of new blood vessels and has shown efficacy in animal models, offering a promising alternative to painful injections.
This special issue highlights innovations in MALDI mass spectrometry for characterizing proteomes, detecting analytes, and screening non-covalent binding of small molecules to target proteins. MALDI imaging is used to study diseases and therapeutics, including the distribution of glycosphingolipids in a Gaucher Disease model mouse brain.
A new review article examines the effectiveness of lipid-based products, including liposome lid sprays and emulsion eye drops, in treating dry eye disease. The studies found that these products provide immediate relief of symptoms and improve the structure and stability of the tear film lipid layer.
Optic nerve hypoplasia is a leading cause of childhood blindness in developed nations, and researchers have discovered the biological mechanism behind it. The condition affects brain growth during development, particularly with the CASK gene, which helps provide architectural support for neuronal communication.
The University of Liverpool's Ultra-Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (Ultra-OCT) system is developing a state-of-the-art imaging technology to revolutionise the detection, diagnosis, and management of corneal eye conditions. The system boasts a resolution of 2 micrometres and can scan 1,000 times faster than existing OCT machines.
Researchers from Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute conducted two clinical trials using human embryonic stem cells to treat dry macular degeneration, a leading cause of new blindness. The studies showed that stem cell injection into the eye replaced damaged cells and improved vision in some patients.
A new neurostimulator device inserted into the nose has shown significant relief for people suffering from dry eyes, increasing tear production and producing a complete tear. Researchers tested 97 patients with moderate to severe dry eye and reported no side effects.
Researchers at UHN's Krembil Research Institute identified LXB4, a unique lipid that protects neurons against glaucoma in preclinical models. This discovery provides hope for devising a new strategy to protect vision in glaucoma patients and may have implications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study warns skiers and snowboarders about the risks of UV exposure to their eyes. The study found that people often miss applying sunscreen to areas around their eyes and eyelids, with serious consequences.
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of two pumpkin species, Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata, to understand their contrasting desirable traits. The study reveals an interesting evolutionary history, with pumpkins being a paleotetraploid resulting from the combination of two ancient genomes.
The study identified a protein called ARF6, which plays a key role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. When inhibited with compound NAV-2729, vessel leakage and blood vessel overgrowth were significantly reduced in diabetic mice.
The Illinois River's dramatic recovery is attributed to the Clean Water Act, which reduced sewage effluent and improved water quality. As a result, populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and other sportfish have increased dramatically, with catches now exceeding 100-300 fish per hour.
Scientists have identified distinct neural signatures for explicit and implicit learning, which could guide the development of training techniques to mitigate learning and memory deficits. The findings may also help diagnose Alzheimer's disease at an earlier stage.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered the presence of regulatory T cells in the retina, a potential target for treating retinopathy of prematurity. The study's findings suggest that boosting these cells may repair damaged blood vessels in the retina, reducing ROP risk.
A new study has identified potential lipid biomarkers in human blood plasma associated with age-related macular degeneration, which may lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatment options. The study's findings also suggest that metabolomics profiling may provide novel insights into the relationship between lipids and AMD.
Researchers found that teenage girls and boys with severe antisocial behavior have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, particularly those showing negative emotions. The study suggests that boys with Conduct Disorder may need more comprehensive interventions than girls due to their unique challenges in emotion recognition.
A new human stem cell model has been developed to study macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. The model, created by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, mimics key characteristics of the disease and could lead to new avenues of research and potential drug targets.
Dr. Richard McIndoe receives $12.8 million grant to continue leading a national research initiative focused on diabetic complications, including nerve and kidney damage, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The consortium supports short-term studies and summer programs for medical students.
Researchers conclude that a daily supplement combining antioxidants with zinc and copper is a relatively inexpensive and effective means of halting the progression of degenerative eye disease. The study shows that this treatment could save the NHS nearly £3000 per patient, adding up to around £131 million a year.
A new study published in PNAS identifies two key compounds that can reduce the severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by regulating inflammatory immune cells. The findings have significant therapeutic implications for AMD and other conditions involving angiogenesis and inflammation.
Researchers developed a noninvasive eye scan to detect Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear, revealing amyloid-beta deposits and toxic proteins in the retina. The findings offer new hope for early detection and disease monitoring, with the potential to intervene and change the course of the disorder.
A new record of the Oriental eye fly transmitting conjunctivitis has been discovered in China. Three new species from the same genus were also identified, adding to the understanding of these disease-causing insects.
A new study suggests that an eye test could be a useful tool in diagnosing Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by assessing the ability of individuals to adapt saccade amplitudes. This test may indicate deficits in the brain's emotional and social development areas, which are often impaired in individuals with ASD.
Researchers from Mass Eye and Ear successfully prevented mice from developing retinal angiogenesis using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing techniques. The technique targets VEGFR2, a critical protein responsible for angiogenesis, and showed promising results in preclinical models.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and its bioactive derivative NPD1 can reduce stroke damage and promote cell survival in the brain. DHA is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, which is disrupted in diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers have found that Ebola virus can persist in specific areas of the body, including the eye, brain, and testes, even after symptoms resolve. This knowledge holds promise for developing medical products to counter the disease in humans.