Articles tagged with Eye Diseases
Researchers have adapted a facial analysis software to quantify how often patients' eyes closed when instructed to keep them open, finding a correlation with clinician ratings. The new program has the potential to help study facial tics and twitches in other contexts, including Tourette Syndrome, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease.
A new imaging method has captured the daily disposal and regeneration of photoreceptor cells in a living human eye, revealing crucial insights into blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The study's findings have the potential to improve our understanding of vision and eye health.
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.
A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that triple-drug chemotherapy with topotecan improved survival of eyes and useful vision in patients with advanced localized disease, compared to standard chemotherapy including etoposide.
Researchers from University of Eastern Finland discovered that retinal changes can be detected earlier than brain changes in CNS diseases. Functional abnormalities were found in three genetically engineered mouse models of human CNS diseases, suggesting eye examinations could be used as a noninvasive screening tool.
A new study has found that adalimumab (Humira) is an effective, non-steroid alternative for treating eye inflammation in patients with non-infectious uveitis. The medication targets a protein that promotes inflammation, delaying treatment failure and reducing symptoms.
Researchers found that corticosteroids worsened long-term recovery from facial paralysis in Lyme disease patients, recommending cautious use of corticosteroids and prompt antibiotic therapy instead. The study's findings suggest a clear association between corticosteroid use and worse facial function outcomes.
Researchers have found Zika virus genetic material in human tears and live virus in mouse eyes, raising questions about transmission through bodily fluids. The study's findings have implications for corneal transplantation and potential new diagnostic methods, such as testing tear samples for viral RNA or antibodies.
BMJ has launched a new fully open access international journal, BMJ Open Ophthalmology, to cater for clinicians and scientists working in ophthalmology and vision science. The journal aims to publish high-quality content on basic, translational, and clinical science with a rigorous peer review process.
New findings suggest that abnormal proliferation of blood vessels and rare lymphatic vessel formation contribute to the swelling and inflammation in thyroid eye disease. The study offers potential therapeutic options for treating the condition through targeted therapies and functional lymphatic vessel creation.
Scientists found a link between overexpression of the miR-182 gene and increased eye pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. The study suggests that this variation may contribute to the disease's destructive effects on vision.
Researchers have developed a gene delivery system that can be applied as an eye drop, rapidly moving from the surface to the retina and remaining for over eight hours. This method shows promise for treating several eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
Researchers aim to develop a multi-layered defense strategy targeting mucosal barriers, blood, and tissues. The goal is to induce host defenses against HIV simultaneously at multiple levels.
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology published a special issue commemorating the 25th anniversary of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology. OCT has revolutionized eye disease diagnosis and treatment, enabling early detection of devastating conditions like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a new eye test that can detect glaucoma four years earlier than current techniques. The patented method involves patients looking at small dots of light of specially chosen size and light intensity, identifying blind spots in the eye and early loss of peripheral vision.
Researchers have created a new technology to detect Alzheimer's progression in the retina of mice before symptoms appear, paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment. This breakthrough could help develop effective treatments well before patients show actual neurological signs.
A new clinical trial funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) aims to transform early detection of diabetic eye disease by introducing a novel screening method. The trial will enable patients at lower risk to undergo tests only every two years, while those at higher risk can be checked up to twice a year.
A study found that routine eye exams lead to a change in vision prescription or other changes in care for over half of asymptomatic patients. The study also showed that older patients and those with longer intervals between visits were more likely to experience significant changes.
Researchers outline recent progress in clinical applications of retinal gene replacement therapy and preclinical advances in gene-specific therapy for photoreceptor diseases. Gene therapy strategies are being developed to treat a broader range of disorders affecting vision, providing new hope for individuals with eye diseases.
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 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.
Researchers developed a new technique to selectively stiffen corneal tissue using two-photon absorption, enabling precise crosslinking without damaging the innermost layer. This approach has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for keratoconus patients and may also be useful for tissue engineering applications.
The study found that Latinos diagnosed with bilateral AMD and large drusen had a substantially lower health-related quality of life compared to those with single-eye lesions. The research also indicates an earlier decline in quality of life due to early-stage AMD, highlighting the need for earlier stage interventions.
A recent NIH-funded study found that half of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) maintained 20/40 vision or better after five years of anti-VEGF drug treatment. The study also showed that the two most commonly used drugs, Avastin and Lucentis, were equally effective in preserving visual acuity.
Research found that overexpression of VEGF-A in animal models promotes both wet and dry age-related macular degeneration and cataract formation. The study identified the NRLP3 inflammasome as a key component in this process, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing or inhibiting these diseases.
The USC Roski Eye Institute's largest Chinese American eye study found a higher percentage (85 percent) of neovascular or 'wet' AMD among Chinese Americans compared to other ethnic groups. The study also revealed that participants with diabetes were three times more likely to experience significant visual impairment.
New materials and technologies enable innovative applications for contact lenses, including slowing nearsightedness progression, drug delivery and disease monitoring. Researchers propose solutions to clinical challenges in these emerging areas, going beyond traditional vision correction.
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.
Sylentis presents positive Phase II results with SYL1001 for treating ocular discomfort, achieving primary and secondary endpoints in reducing ocular pain and conjunctival hyperaemia. The trials also confirm a favorable safety profile of SYL1001.
Research associates outdoor air pollution with dry eye disease, finding decreased humidity and increased ozone levels increase DED risk. PM10 was not associated with DED, possibly due to reflex tearing or low environmental levels.
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.
A new study found that IL-33 amplifies an innate immune response in the degenerating retina, leading to retinal cell death. Inhibiting IL-33 may help treat AMD and other retinal degenerative diseases.
Researchers will investigate how cells decide their fates using the eye lens as a model, with implications for understanding cancer development and organ regeneration. The study aims to uncover new mechanisms that control cell differentiation and disease states.
A large study of Ebola survivors found that many reported complications such as vision and hearing problems, as well as joint pain, months after recovery. The study suggests that the virus may persist in certain bodily fluids and highlights the need for follow-up care in West Africa.
A global research team has identified 52 genetic variants associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease affecting 150 million people worldwide. The discovery may lead to personalized medicine approaches and new treatments for this debilitating condition.
Researchers have identified 52 genetic variants associated with AMD, including associations between CFH and TIMP3 genes and the extracellular matrix. The study provides a framework for future studies of AMD biology and therapy development.
FAU researchers have found a way for cells to digest dead neighbors before they become toxic, which could lead to new therapies for eye diseases like cataracts. The discovery challenges the long-held belief that specialized immune cells are responsible for removing dead cells.
Researchers create device that stimulates lacrimal gland to increase tear production by nearly 57% in rabbit eyes. The next phase will evaluate the quality of tears produced, with clinical trials underway for FDA approval.
Researchers compared therapies for Neuromyelitis optica, a rare autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Plasma exchange therapy proved more effective than steroids in treating the condition's relapsing symptoms.
Women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder have a higher risk of miscarriage, particularly within three years before or after disease onset. Preeclampsia is also more common among women with the condition, especially those with multiple autoimmune disorders or previous miscarriages.
A clinical trial has found that ranibizumab (Lucentis) is highly effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, with patients showing improved central vision and reduced risk of surgery compared to laser therapy. The study also suggests that Lucentis may help prevent diabetic macular edema.
A clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health found that Lucentis is highly effective in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, improving vision by about half a line on an eye chart compared to laser therapy. The study also showed lower rates of complications such as vitrectomy and serious systemic adverse events.
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 discovered patients taking L-DOPA have significantly lower risk of developing AMD and later age, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine. The retrospective study found L-DOPA may delay or prevent AMD, offering new hope for millions of older Americans affected by this common cause of blindness.
A research team at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has identified a small molecule that prevents the overgrowth of blood vessels in animal models of aged macular degeneration and retinopathy of prematurity. The new findings show that this molecule, named Vasotide, can be delivered in eye drops, offering a promising alternative to ...
A study funded by the NIH has shown that gene therapy can preserve vision in dogs with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment halted disease-associated cell death and preserved photoreceptor structure, improving visual performance under dim light conditions. Further research is needed to assess its safety and potential toxicity...
A Penn study shows that gene therapy can cure canine X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, even when treatment is started at mid- or late-stage disease. The treatment successfully halted photoreceptor cell loss and maintained vision in dogs for over three years.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals disparities in outcomes for children with retinoblastoma, a rare eye tumor, suggesting unequal access to primary care. Hispanic children and those from disadvantaged areas were more likely to lose an eye due to late diagnosis.
Disparities in retinoblastoma outcomes exist among children of different ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses, with Hispanic children having a higher percentage of extraocular disease and being more likely to undergo enucleation. Low socioeconomic status is associated with greater risks for advanced disease and poorer ocular outcomes.
New research highlights matricellular proteins as key targets for treating common ocular disorders. The special issue explores the function of these proteins and their role in inflammation and blood vessel formation in the eye.
Researchers found that birds' feeding preferences, rather than social position, are key factors in contracting and spreading a common eye disease. The study suggests targeting high-risk individuals to reduce disease transmission.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that peripheral lesions in the retina correlate strongly with retinal non-perfusion, a condition caused by lost small blood vessels. This discovery may enable clinicians to estimate disease progression without invasive angiography.
Researchers propose that bacteria in the gut activate immune cells against proteins in the eye, leading to autoimmune uveitis. A study on mice found that eliminating gut bacteria delayed disease onset and severity, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for this condition.
Research suggests retinal changes can serve as measures of brain pathology in schizophrenia, predicting disease risk and progression. The findings may help guide future treatment adjustments.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found associations between lower blood manganese levels and higher blood mercury levels with a greater risk of glaucoma diagnosis. The research suggests that trace metals may play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, and future investigations could explore potential neuroprotective effects.
Researchers found that repeated exposure to stimuli can lead to recurring mast cell degranulation and long-term pathological eye changes. Inhibiting this release with substances like disodium cromoglycate may offer new ways to treat serous retinal detachment.
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.
A new study demonstrates that gene therapy can give life-long protection to photoreceptor cells in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. The preserved cells were able to drive visually-guided behaviour even in later stages of the condition and despite becoming less sensitive to light.
A novel disease gene SLC25A46 has been identified as a cause of neurodegenerative conditions, including optic atrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2. The study reveals that mutations in this gene disrupt mitochondrial dynamics, leading to improper localization and increased interconnectedness.
Researchers found that microglia infiltrate the retina and create a cup-like structure over photoreceptors, accelerating their death. Inhibiting phagocytosis or targeting microglial activation may help preserve vision in retinitis pigmentosa.