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New Trinity research suggests a simple pill could prevent sight loss in common form of diabetes-driven eye condition

Researchers have found that an oral medication called Danegaptide can protect against vision-threatening damage in Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. The study highlights a new therapeutic approach that could replace or complement frequent, invasive eye injections for mill...

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 23, 2026

A blind retina isn't silent and its noise may be getting in the way of restoring sight

A team at the Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin recorded the retina's spontaneous electrical activity in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, revealing abnormal rhythms. The findings suggest that the retina is not as silent as previously thought and that measuring its activity could help guide sight-restoring therapies. The study's result...

SourceHôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Fondation Asile des aveugles·JournalNature·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 14, 2026

Smartphones could be used to screen for cataracts and other eye problems

Researchers developed a low-cost smartphone attachment to capture diagnostic-quality eye images, which can be reviewed remotely by ophthalmologists. Community health workers and remote ophthalmologists agreed on 96% of cataract diagnoses, challenging the assumption that specialist presence is necessary for accurate screening.

High myopia control is not only about axial length: study suggests posterior scleral reinforcement may slow early fundus changes in children

A three-year study found that posterior scleral reinforcement slowed macular fundus tessellation and preserved subfoveal choroidal thickness in children with progressive high myopia. The researchers suggest that PSR may help delay early myopic maculopathy-related changes, possibly through mechanisms beyond axial elongation.

SourceEye Discovery·JournalEye Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateAug 10, 2026

Medical School researcher awarded $2.2 million NIH grant to study retinal disease causes, potential treatments

A University of Minnesota Medical School research team has been awarded a 4-year, $2.2 million grant to better understand the underlying causes of retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and develop new treatments. The focus is on fibulin-3, an extracellular matrix protein that causes blinding eye diseases.

Physical inactivity drives a significant share of diabetes complications worldwide; new global study finds

A new global study finds that physical inactivity is a significant driver of diabetes complications, with up to 10% of cases potentially preventable. The research emphasizes the need for tailored approaches to promote physical activity among people with diabetes, particularly addressing social and gender inequalities.

SourceJournal of Sport and Health Science·JournalJournal of Sport and Health Science·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Study links genetic variants to risk of blinding eye disease in premature infants

A new study from the University of Oklahoma suggests that small genetic differences in two proteins may influence how their eyes develop, affecting the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Researchers found four genetic variants specific to eye disease, with two protective and two increasing the risk. Early genetic testing could h...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalPediatric Research·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2025

Loss of key visual channel triggers rhythmic retinal signals linked to night blindness

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have discovered that the loss of TRPM1 ion channels sets off a cascade of changes leading to persistent oscillations in the retina. This finding illuminates the cellular basis of congenital stationary night blindness and identifies a common mechanism underlying retinal degenerative conditions.

SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalJournal of General Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2025

Conquering intractable blindness with an artificial retina

A team of researchers has developed an artificial retina model using 3D printing technology, which closely replicates the pathological microenvironment of retinal vein occlusion. The model exhibited responses similar to those observed in clinical cases, validating its potential as a preclinical drug evaluation system.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Composites and Hybrid Materials·DateOct 29, 2025

Semaglutide provides powerful protection against diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, Greek study suggests

A new study published in Pharmaceutics found that semaglutide provides powerful protection against diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss. The study suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists enhance retinal cells' defences against damage in diabetes-like conditions.

New imaging approach simplifies retina exams by enabling digital refocusing

A new imaging approach has simplified retina exams by eliminating the need for mechanical focusing, making fundus cameras more accessible. The system uses a diffuser to capture 3D light information and digitally refocus images after they are taken, producing consistent resolution of about 7-10 line pairs per millimeter.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalBiophotonics Discovery·DateSep 10, 2025

Retinitis pigmentosa mouse models reflect pathobiology of human RP59

Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham created novel mouse models with mutations in the DHDDS gene to study retinitis pigmentosa (RP) 59, a genetic cause of blindness. The studies revealed that both T206A/K42E and K42E/K42E mouse models exhibited changes in retinal structure and function similar to human RP59 disease.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 29, 2025

Novel study uncovers the critical role of ADAM10 protein in the development of retinal disorders

A recent study published in The American Journal of Pathology has discovered that ADAM10 regulates abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, which can cause vision loss or impairment. The findings suggest that targeting ADAM10 or its downstream effectors, such as Ephrin B2, may offer novel strategies for managing or preventing retina...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2025

Retinal clues to mental health

A recent study by the University of Zurich examined the connection between retinal nerve connections and schizophrenia. The researchers found that individuals with a higher genetic risk for schizophrenia tend to have thinner retinas, which can be detected using non-invasive retinal measurements.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2025

The flicker reveals the mechanisms of vision. Groundbreaking f-ORG technique can advance the diagnosis of retinal diseases

A new diagnostic method called flicker optoretinography (f-ORG) analyzes the retina's reaction to light, helping to detect danger before symptoms appear. The technique detects even minor changes in photoreceptors, providing valuable insights into retinal health.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2025

Noninvasive choroidal vessel analysis via deep learning: A new approach to choroidal optical coherence tomography angiography

Researchers developed a novel noninvasive choroidal angiography method using deep learning, enabling layer-wise visualization and evaluation of choroidal vessels. The approach employs an advanced segmentation model to handle varying quality of OCT B-scans, offering a promising tool for clinical applications.

SourceHealth Data Science·JournalHealth Data Science·DateNov 4, 2024

Retinopathy associated with hair dye

A case report describes a woman who experienced bilateral blurry vision after using hair dye with aromatic amines. The incident highlights the potential risk of retinopathy associated with certain hair dyes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateSep 12, 2024

Retinal disorder diagnosis improved by new AI-powered medical imaging, study shows

Researchers have introduced DSFN to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses of retinal disorders. This AI-powered medical imaging technique combines retina images with vascular distribution information to accurately locate the fovea in complex clinical scenarios, enabling doctors to detect early signs of ocular diseases.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 12, 2024

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.

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

Sight loss in working-age people is under-researched

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University and University of Oxford highlights the lack of clinical research on severe sight impairment (SSI) among working-age individuals in the UK. The study finds that inherited retinal disorders, such as IRDs, are under-researched despite being a leading cause of SSI certifications in this population.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalClinical Ophthalmology·TypeLiterature review·DateNov 2, 2023

Vision via sound for the blind

Researchers developed 'acoustic touch' smart glasses that translate visual information into distinct sound icons, enhancing the ability of blind or low-vision individuals to navigate their surroundings. The technology significantly improved object recognition and reaching abilities, empowering independence and quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

AI breakthrough in detecting leading cause of childhood blindness

A deep learning AI model has been developed to screen for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants at risk of blindness. The tool was trained on images of newborns and found to be as effective as senior paediatric ophthalmologists in discriminating normal retinal images from those with ROP that could lead to blindness.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 27, 2023

Reading and visual health

Research by State University of New York College of Optometry suggests that reading lacks diversity in visual inputs, potentially leading to myopia development. The study proposes a mechanism where sustained reading reduces activation of ON pathways, causing eye growth beyond its focus plane and blurring vision at far distances.

SourceState University of New York College of Optometry·JournalJournal of Vision·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

Progress toward a stem cell–based therapy for blindness

A new study successfully introduces healthy photoreceptor cells derived from stem cells into the retinas of dogs, marking significant progress toward a cell-based therapy for blindness. The treatment enables cells to survive and form connections with existing retinal cells, paving the way for a regenerative medicine approach.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2022

When it comes to ADHD and ASD, the eyes could reveal all

New research from University of South Australia and Flinders University uses retina recordings to identify distinct signals for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing a potential biomarker for each condition. Children with ADHD showed higher overall energy, while those with ASD sho...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2022