Articles tagged with Cornea
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine develop an experimental 'living eye drop' using naturally occurring eye bacteria to accelerate corneal wound healing. The engineered bacteria, Corynebacterium mastitidis, continuously secrete interleukin-10, a protein that regulates inflammation.
A study published in Cornea reveals that aniridia not only alters corneal structure but also affects sensory nerve function, leading to a progressive decline in corneal sensitivity. In adulthood, patients experience difficulty distinguishing stimulus intensity and reduced tear production, compromising eye defense mechanisms.
A large-scale field trial in Ethiopia found no significant difference between fluorometholone and placebo treatments in reducing postoperative trachomatous trichiasis recurrence. The study, which involved over 2,400 participants, suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy may not be beneficial for improving TT surgery outcomes.
Researchers observed significant increase in tear film lipid layer thickness and corneal temperature during VR sessions, suggesting stabilization of the tear film. The study provides early insights for VR headset design and usage considerations related to eye comfort and health.
Dr. Kathryn Colby, NYU Langone Health's chair of ophthalmology, has received the prestigious Castroviejo Medal for her pioneering work on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy. Her research explores a new surgical procedure to stimulate corneal regeneration.
The study found that 1-year DMEK success rates were high regardless of donor diabetes status. No restrictions on using tissue from donors with diabetes for DMEK are recommended based on the results.
A randomized clinical trial showed that DMEK graft success is comparable between diabetes-positive and non-diabetes donor corneas after 1 year. The study's findings support the use of diabetes-positive donor corneas for endothelial keratoplasty procedures.
A new treatment for corneal scarring is being developed by University of Houston optometry researcher Tarsis G. Ferreira. The treatment uses a natural protein called decorin to block scarring and unwanted blood vessel growth, offering hope for people with injured corneas.
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai has opened a comprehensive center for refractive solutions, providing innovative treatment options for patients requiring refractive correction. The center offers streamlined care for premium cataract and corneal refractive procedures, including LASIK and custom LASIK.
A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that lifestyle changes after COVID-19 were associated with an increase in the prevalence and severity of child astigmatisms. The potential impact of higher degrees of astigmatism may warrant dedicated efforts to elucidate the relationship between environmental and/or lifestyle factors.
A new stem cell therapy, CALEC, has been successfully tested on 14 patients with blinding cornea injuries, achieving a high proportion of complete or partial success rates. The treatment was found to be safe and effective, with no serious events occurring in either the donor or recipient eyes.
Scientists have identified key corneal neurons involved in sensitivity and developed an experimental model to study nerve regeneration. The Ocular Neurobiology laboratory is participating in the RESTORE VISION project, which aims to improve eye health and quality of life for those affected by rare eye diseases.
A new study analyzed 100 cases of Florida spot keratopathy (FSK), a condition characterized by white spots on the cornea. The research found that FSK is typically stable and does not significantly affect vision or quality of life, but may be linked to exposure to little fire ants.
A new study finds that AI-powered models exhibit similar levels of accuracy as ophthalmologists in identifying infectious keratitis, a leading cause of corneal blindness worldwide. The AI models displayed a sensitivity and specificity of 89.2% and 93.2%, respectively, matching the diagnostic accuracy of human experts.
Researchers at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology have revealed the molecular mechanisms behind FECD, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. The study found that extreme genetic instability plays a key role in the disease's progression.
Researchers characterize thalamic and cortical neurons responding to ocular surface stimulation, showing diverse multimodal response profiles. The study provides insights into how sensory stimulus information is integrated from the peripheral nervous system into the brain's cortical networks.
A team of scientists at the University of Ottawa has developed a novel peptide-based hydrogel that can be used for on-the-spot repair to damaged organs and tissues. The material shows great potential for closing skin wounds, delivering therapeutics to damaged heart muscle, and reshaping and healing injured corneas.
A new NIH grant will investigate biological processes that contribute to defects in immune response in the eyes of those with diabetes. Researchers aim to understand why diabetic patients are more susceptible to corneal infections and identify methods to reverse these effects.
University of Melbourne researchers have received a $35 million grant to develop a world-first tissue engineered cornea to treat corneal blindness. The technology has the potential to provide corneal tissue to surgeons worldwide, including countries with limited eye banks.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a method to study liver function and disease using the cornea of mice eyes. They transplanted liver cells into the eyes, creating a non-invasive platform to monitor liver health over time.
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.
Researchers found that a small fraction of eligible patients are being approached to consider eye donation, despite both healthcare professionals and patients having favorable views towards it. The study highlights the need for practice change to offer patients who wish to donate as part of routine end-of-life care.
A new international clinical trial found that a drug candidate is highly effective in treating Acanthamoeba keratitis with medical cure rates of 87%, reducing the risk of poor visual outcomes and surgery. The treatment, low concentration polihexanide (PHMB 0.08%), follows a novel and evidence-based protocol.
Researchers develop 3D-printed device to encapsulate insulin-producing pancreatic cells and electronic sensors in the eye. The device enables cell-based therapy for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, eliminating the need for sutures and allowing real-time monitoring.
A new imaging technique, multifocal acoustic radiation force-based reverberant optical coherence elastography (RevOCE), has been developed to measure the elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously. This approach offers high resolution measurements of the stiffness of eye structures and could revolutionize how we study ocular ...
Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a flexible, human cornea-thin battery that can store electricity from saline solution. The battery could power smart contact lenses with displays and augmented reality capabilities.
A phase I trial of cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CALEC) has shown positive results in four patients with severe chemical burns, restoring cornea surfaces and improving vision. The treatment uses a patient's own stem cells grown on a graft, offering hope to patients with untreatable vision loss and pain a...
The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, reveals a novel light-activated material that can be used to effectively reshape and thicken damaged corneal tissue, promoting healing and recovery for patients with keratoconus. The technology has tremendous potential to impact millions of people suffering from corneal diseases.
University of Melbourne researchers have discovered that T cells patrol the human eye, protecting it from pathogens and inflammation. The study uses a new imaging technique to capture dynamic behavior of these cells in response to different stimuli.
A patient in Cleveland was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug-resistant bacterium that's rarely found in eye infections. The contaminated eye drops were identified as the source of infection, and treatment required strong antibiotics to prevent vision loss.
A research team from Université Laval has identified a method to save corneal cells from death using healthy mitochondria, reducing mortality rates from 60% to 10%. This approach demonstrates high therapeutic potential for mitochondrial injection, which could maintain vision without transplantation if diagnosed at an early stage.
Corneal graft rejection can be as high as 10% due to poor patient compliance with medications, which require frequent eyedrop administrations. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed nanoparticles to encapsulate eye medication, decreasing graft rejection while requiring fewer and smaller doses. The approach reversed s...
A Korean joint research team has developed a new tissue adhesive that restores damaged corneas by filling them and exposing them to light, potentially treating cornea ulcers without surgical interventions. The new sealant integrates well with adjacent tissues and promotes scar-free corneal tissue reconstruction.
Researchers compared two methods of corneal transplant tissue preparation, finding the new DMEK EndoGlide technique to be safe and effective while providing a faster process. The study suggests this method may lead to better long-term outcomes for patients with Fuchs' dystrophy.
A recent study has found that people who wear reusable contact lenses are nearly four times as likely to develop a rare sight-threatening eye infection. The study identified multiple factors that increase the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis, including reusing lenses or wearing them overnight or in the shower.
Researchers found that nerve damage in the cornea increases with glucose metabolism impairment and blood sugar levels, suggesting early detection may delay or prevent complications. The study suggests high blood sugar levels can begin to damage corneal nerves long before type 2 diabetes develops.
Claes H. Dohlman, considered the founder of modern cornea science, is honored with the prestigious Champalimaud Vision Award for his groundbreaking research on corneal physiology and its applications in treating dry eye disease, corneal burns, and keratoprosthesis.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identified Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM) as a key population of proliferative cells involved in corneal regeneration. BCAM plays a crucial role in mediating corneal differentiation, which could lead to future medical therapies for corneal disease.
A bioengineered cornea made from collagen protein can restore vision in people with diseased corneas, offering an alternative to donated human corneas. The implant has been shown to be safe and effective in a pilot study, with patients regaining perfect vision after two years.
A groundbreaking study has discovered that the cornea produces a delicate immune response to fight viral infections without damaging vision. Long-living memory T cells have been found patrolling and fighting viral infections in the cornea, upending previous thought on T cell presence in healthy corneas.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports found that sleep deprivation negatively affects corneal stem cells, leading to increased rates of cell multiplication and reduced tear film antioxidants. This can result in serious effects on corneal health, such as thinning and ruffling of the cornea.
A new study provides evidence supporting the involvement of aquaporins in corneal cell proliferation and nerve regeneration, suggesting AQP5 induction as a potential therapy to accelerate corneal defect resurfacing. The study found that AQP5 deficiency can slow down corneal epithelial repair, but its specific mechanism remained unclear.
Researchers at Duke University developed a robotic imaging tool that can automatically detect and scan patients' eyes for eye diseases, producing clear images in under 50 seconds. The system uses optical coherence tomography and is designed to be safe and accessible for optometrist offices, primary-care clinics, and emergency departments.
Researchers at the University of Oregon used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to target a specific mutation causing Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, preserving endothelial cell density and function. The study lays the groundwork for future research on using this technique to treat genetic disorders in post-mitotic cells.
A new study aims to identify diabetic donors whose corneas are suitable for transplant surgery, a crucial step in addressing growing demand for the procedure. The Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study will explore the impact of donor and recipient diabetes on outcomes and inform eye-banking and surgical practices.
Researchers have identified a magnetic sense in bats, located in the cornea of their eyes, allowing them to navigate during long-distance migrations. This sense is necessary for orientation and was disrupted by anaesthesia of the cornea, yet orientation still worked with one eye.
A team of researchers from UPV, UV, and AIKEN Foundation has created the first fully transparent trifocal corneal inlay that allows good eyesight for people with presbyopia at multiple distances. The inlay is designed to be compatible with laser refractive surgery and may offer an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.
A new study has identified genetic variations that may contribute to the development of keratoconus, a progressive eye condition causing sight loss. The findings could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially new therapeutic targets.
Researchers discovered SARS-CoV-2 RNA in human corneas of patients with COVID-19, shedding light on the virus's presence beyond respiratory sites. The study suggests potential implications for eye care and infection transmission.
Researchers from TalTech have made a groundbreaking discovery linking CTG repeat expansion to Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, a common eye disease affecting millions. The study reveals changes in TCF4 expression levels in patients with the disease, paving the way for potential treatment strategies.
Researchers have identified a new class of glial cells in the cornea, known as Schwann cells, with unique genetic properties that could help improve wound healing and nerve regeneration after surgeries and corneal transplants. The study's findings may also provide insights into conditions like dry eye and LASIK-related side effects.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 does not replicate in the human cornea, while Zika virus can infect corneal tissue. The study suggests COVID-19 patients with compromised immune systems may still be at risk of eye symptoms due to secondary inflammation.
Researchers from Russia and Switzerland successfully replicated the self-cleaning anti-reflective coating found in fruit flies' eyes, which can be applied in various fields such as textiles, medical implants, and contact lenses. The new nanocoating boasts antimicrobial, anti-reflective, and self-cleaning properties.
Federal regulations severely limit corneal donations from gay and bisexual men, preventing thousands of potential patients from receiving vision-restoring surgery. A new study finds that the restrictions are not supported by current science and could save thousands of lives.
Scientists from IPC PAS develop holographic OCT tomography, capturing cornea in a fraction of a second with high resolution, without contact or anesthesia. This breakthrough technology enables sharper images even with micro-movement of the eye, revolutionizing diagnosis of eye diseases.
A new optical coherence tomography (OCT) instrument has been developed to image the curved layers of the cornea with cell-level detail, enabling improved monitoring of eye diseases and general health conditions. The device provides a large viewing area, allowing for more precise counting of cells and nerves.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have developed a synthetic, biocompatible liquid hydrogel that promotes tissue regeneration and treats corneal perforations without transplantation. This innovative solution has the potential to help patients retain their vision and avoid blindness.
Researchers found molecular changes in pre-symptomatic tissue of Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) patients, which may lead to new screening and treatment methods. The study suggests that disease-causing changes occur decades before noticeable symptoms appear.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered that after eye injury, immune cells travel along ciliary zonules to the lens, surveilling and protecting it from adverse impacts. This finding adds to evidence overturning accepted dogma in the field, suggesting an alternative mechanism for immune cell delivery.
Peter Lwigale has been awarded a four-year, $1.5 million NIH R01 grant to investigate the function of Npnt, a protein abundant in the cornea's extracellular matrix. The study aims to inform therapies for malformed eyes and injuries.