Medicine 82
More News on Stem Cells and Blindness
Scientists in the UK have discovered a cache of stem cells in the eye that could lead to reversing blindness for those with age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. It's still in the early phase of research.
Gene therapy research for childhood blindness gets a boost from Genzyme
LCA-1 research is getting a boost from Genzyme with a $900,000 grant to pursue gene therapy. Dr. Shannon Boye has had success with animals in the lab and is looking to take her research to the next step. She is focusing primarily on the GUCY2D gene.
3D Printing Cells is a New Step in Finding a Cure for Blindness
Researchers are using 3D printers to create artificial retinal nerve cells. They hope this will lead to using this to replace damaged retinal cells and ultimately cure retinal blindness.
First Human Trial for Macular Degeneration
The first human trials in using home-grown stem cells to treat age-related macular degeneration took place recently in Japan. This could be a breakthrough for other therapies involving stem cells and retinal degeneration.
Next Step for Macular Degeneration: Human Trials
A Japanese ophthalmologist has invented a way to use adult stem cells to replace the base layer of the retina and improve the sight of those with age-related macular degeneration.
Undiagnosed Diseases Network
The NIH has established an Undiagnosed Diseases Network to link research sites across the country and develop diagnoses and treatments for rare diseases.
New Developments in Treatments for Blindness
There are several exciting new technologies designed to improve vision. Retinitas pigmentosa, macular degeneration and other eye issues have new treatments.
My Retina Tracker: Building a Medical Database to Find Cures
My Retina Tracker is a resource from the Foundation Fighting Blindness that lets individuals manage their information around their retina disease, while researchers can curate the information to further treatment of those diseases.
New Treatment for Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA)
Researchers are developing an oral medicine that improves visual ability in patients with LCA from the RPE65 or LRAT genes. This is very exciting news!
A Breakthrough in Growing Corneas
Researchers have figured out how to use adult stem cells to grow corneas in the lab. These can be used to treat a host of eye illnesses and injuries.
New Way to Deliver Glaucoma Medicine
Researchers have found a way to deliver glaucoma medicine via contact lenses, making it easier for users to continue treatment for their disease.
There’s a Smartphone App that Does Eye Exams
An eye doctor in Kenya has invented a way to use smartphones to diagnose and treat blindness by bringing the technology to the patient.
Using Stem Cells to Restore Sight
Scientists are using stem cells to create a retina in a petri dish. It behaves exactly as an actual retina does, allowing for full experimentation and leading hopefully to restoring vision for people with retinal disease.
New Treatment Stops Seizures Before They Start
There's a new way to deal with seizures that could revolutionize the lives of those who have them. It involves embedding a tiny computer in the skull of the patient which senses seizure activity and stops it in its tracks.
Gene Therapy Treatment for Choroideremia
Researchers at the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford in the U.K. are treating Choroideremia (CHM) with gene therapy. This treatment can be used to treat many genetic disorders that cause blindness, including age-related macular degeneration.
