Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Case Western Reserve University receives $1.5M grant from Foundation Fighting Blindness to test possible new treatment for inherited retinal disease

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will test a possible breakthrough drug for inherited retinal disease, which may prevent blindness in patients with various genetic mutations. The study aims to advance the technology to FDA-regulated clinical trials and potentially expand the application of the Bax-inhibiting therapeutic.

Novel photodynamic therapy method can eradicate ocular melanoma, study shows

A new photodynamic therapy method has been shown to effectively eradicate ocular melanoma in mice, with the technique delivering two photons and minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The approach offers a promising alternative to current treatments that are often ineffective or invasive.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2024

Potential new treatment option for diabetic retinopathy

Researchers have developed a new treatment for diabetic retinopathy that addresses the root cause of the disease, preventing progression and potential blindness. The anti-ceramide immunotherapy has been shown to be effective in animal and cell culture models, offering a safer alternative to current treatments.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2024

Repurposed drug may help stabilize vision in rare disease

Researchers find that a repurposed drug, crizanlizumab, stabilizes vision in patients with retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations (RVCL-S) after two years of treatment. The study suggests that this may give patients additional years to read, drive, and enjoy activities.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 17, 2024

Mono-canalicular lacrimal stent intubation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction treatment

Researchers found that mono-canalicular Lacrijet stent insertion is a safe and effective treatment for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children, with success rates unaffected by age or previous failed probing. The study suggests early assessments and stenting as an option for pediatric epiphora management.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Ophthalmology Journal·DateJun 13, 2024

Imaging fibrous structure abnormalities of the white of the eye in myopathic patients

A team of researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a novel kind of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the detailed structure of the sclera in living patients. They found that the sclera is divided into inner and outer layers with different structural arrangements, which can provide important insight...

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateMay 16, 2024

Study suggests high-frequency electrical ‘noise’ results in congenital night blindness

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used genetically engineered mice to study the mechanism of congenital stationary night blindness. The findings demonstrate that a mutation in the rhodopsin gene produces unusual background electrical activity, desensitizing rods and causing poor vision in low-light settings.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2024

Taking electroretinography to the next level with a soft multi-electrode system

A new soft multi-electrode system for electroretinography has been developed to overcome the limitations of traditional devices. The system uses a commercially available soft disposable contact lens with gold mesh electrodes, allowing for simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials from different regions of the retina. This innov...

SourceWaseda University·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2024

CRIPSR gene editing leads to improvements in vision for people with inherited blindness, clinical trial shows

A phase 1/2 trial of CRISPR gene editing has demonstrated safety and efficacy, with measurable improvements in 11 out of 14 participants with a form of inherited blindness. The treatment, EDIT-101, was found to be clinically meaningful for four participants and showed significant improvements in cone-mediated vision.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 6, 2024

MCG scientists identify new treatment target for leading cause of blindness

Researchers at MCG's Vascular Biology Center have identified a new treatment target for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. Targeting the adenosine receptor 2A (Adora2a) may block excessive blood vessel growth and fibrosis, potentially offering a more efficient treatment than current therapies.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 2, 2024

Mass General Brigham researchers identify potential drivers of chronic allergic inflammation

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified Th2-multipotent progenitor (Th2-MPP) cells, which may play a crucial role in sustaining type 2 inflammation and contribute to disease symptoms. These findings provide potential targets for therapeutic interventions and lay the groundwork for future disease-modifying approaches.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

Simplified diagnosis of rare eye diseases

Researchers from Bonn, Berlin, Münster, and Mannheim provide an overview of an underestimated imaging technique that supports the diagnosis and monitoring of posterior uveitis and panuveitis. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is a fast and non-invasive method for imaging the fundus of the eye, providing indications of active inflammation.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalBiomolecules·DateApr 25, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal review article highlights the potential and promise of CAR-T cell therapy in autoimmune diseases

Researchers have identified CAR-T cell therapy as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Early studies have shown promising results in reducing disease activity and improving patients' quality of life, but long-term data on safety and efficacy is limited.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 22, 2024

Wayne State University researchers uncover potential treatment targets for Zika virus-related eye abnormalities

A groundbreaking study reveals that targeting cholesterol metabolism can mitigate Zika virus-induced ocular pathology, offering promising therapeutic strategies. Researchers identified ABCG1 and SREBP-2 as key players in the pathway, and treatments with LXR agonists or SREBP-2 inhibitors showed promise in animal models.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024

ALG6 acts as a modifier gene in the inherited genetic eye disease retinitis pigmentosa 59

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered that the ALG6 variant is associated with altered phenotypes in patients with RP59, including delayed peripheral rod degeneration and diminished macular cone photoreceptor health. This study highlights the complex effects of modifier genes in human genetic disease.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 20, 2024

Lighting the way to noninvasive blood glucose monitoring using portable devices

A novel approach estimates metabolic activity and infers blood glucose levels from near-infrared measurements in commercial smartphones and smartwatches. The phase delay between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals closely relates to oxygen consumption during cardiac cycles, serving as a gauge for metabolism.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateMar 8, 2024

Artificial intelligence matches or outperforms human specialists in retina and glaucoma management, Mount Sinai study finds

A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that artificial intelligence can match or exceed the expertise of seasoned ophthalmic specialists in diagnosing and treating patients with glaucoma and retina disorders. The AI system, GPT-4, demonstrated superior performance in response to glaucoma questions and case-management advice.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalOphthalmology·TypeContent analysis·DateFeb 22, 2024

UC Irvine study shows similarities and differences in human and insect vision formation

A recent UCI study found profound similarities between humans and insects in producing the critical light-absorbing molecule of the retina, 11-cis-retinal. The research provides new insights into retinal disease origins and potential therapeutic targets, with implications for understanding loss-of-function mutations in RPE65.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 22, 2024

Advancing biomedical diagnostics: Compact photoacoustic sensing instrument for breast tissue characterization

Researchers developed a compact, cost-effective PA sensing instrument for biomedical tissue diagnosis, showcasing its potential to streamline sampling processes and improve diagnostic accuracy for breast disease. The instrument successfully differentiated various tissue types based on quantitative spectral parameters.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 13, 2024

Using fMRI, new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function

Researchers used fMRI to assess brain responses to lights stimulating only cone cells in dogs with different types of retinal diseases. The study found that gene augmentation therapy restored response in cortex to black and white stimulation, making this disease a promising one for photoreceptor cell replacement treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalTranslational Vision Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024

Retinal imaging and genetics data used to predict future disease risk

A study combines retinal imaging, genetics, and big data to estimate the likelihood of developing eye and systemic diseases. The researchers identified significant associations between retinal layer thickness and increased risk of various diseases, including ocular, neuropsychiatric, cardiac, metabolic, and pulmonary diseases.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 24, 2024

Contact lenses to diagnose glaucoma

A new type of contact lens has been developed to diagnose glaucoma by monitoring eye pressure, providing a more accurate diagnosis and easier treatment. The lenses contain micro-sensors that track changes in intraocular pressure over several hours, sending the data wirelessly for analysis by an ophthalmologist.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalContact Lens and Anterior Eye·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2024

Pioneering study indicates a potential treatment for corneal endothelial disease, reducing the need for corneal transplants

A pioneering study published in The American Journal of Pathology reveals the cytoprotective and proregenerative effects of neuropeptide α-MSH in promoting corneal healing after eye injury. The treatment has shown impressive therapeutic potential in reducing the need for corneal transplants.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024