News from NEI

National Eye Institute Remembers Stephen J. Ryan

Monday, 20 May 2013 3:30:00 EST

An internationally recognized expert in retinal diseases and ocular trauma, Ryan was the president of the Doheny Eye Institute, an independent nonprofit institution affiliated with the University of Southern California (USC), from 1974 to 2012. As the first full-time chairman of the USC Department of Ophthalmology, Ryan in 1974 forged the affiliation between Doheny and USC. Today, Doheny is recognized as a premier institution for ophthalmic research, training, and clinical care. Ryan also served as dean of USC's school of medicine, now called the Keck School of Medicine, from 1991 to 2004.

NIH study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease

Sunday, 05 May 2013 7:30:00 EST

Adding omega-3 fatty acids did not improve a combination of nutritional supplements commonly recommended for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss among older Americans, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The plant-derived antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin also had no overall effect on AMD when added to the combination; however, they were safer than the related antioxidant beta-carotene, according to the study published online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

NIH encourages Americans to make vision a priority

Wednesday, 01 May 2013 7:30:00 EST

In May, Healthy Vision Month, the National Eye Institute (NEI) calls on Americans to make their vision a priority by taking the necessary steps to protect vision, prevent vision loss, and make the most of the vision they may have remaining.

Targeting cholesterol buildup in eye may slow age-related vision loss

Tuesday, 02 April 2013 8:00:00 EST

Targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye might help prevent a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of blindness in older Americans, according to indications in a study in mice, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

NEI Grantee Edward Boyden Honored with Prestigious Million Euro Brain Prize

Sunday, 14 March 2013 8:00:00 EST

Edward S. Boyden, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and NEI grantee at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, has been honored with a 2013 Brain Prize. Each year, the Denmark-based Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation awards the prize�and a sum of 1 million euros�to a scientist or group of scientists who have made influential contributions to brain research.

Seven genetic risk factors found to be associated with common eye disorder

Sunday, 03 March 2013 8:00:00 EST

An international group of researchers has discovered seven new regions of the human genome—called loci-that are associated with increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The AMD Gene Consortium, a network of international investigators representing 18 research groups, also confirmed 12 loci identified in previous studies. The findings are reported online today in the journal Nature Genetics. Supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, the study represents the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variations associated with AMD.

NIH competition awards prizes for audacious ideas in vision research

Friday, 08 February 2013 1:00:00 EST

Ten winning submissions from a pool of nearly 500 entries have been selected by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, for its Audacious Goals challenge, a nationwide competition for compelling, one-page ideas to advance vision science. Each winner will receive a $3,000 prize plus travel expenses to attend the NEI Audacious Goals Development Meeting, Feb. 24-26, 2013, at the Bolger Conference Center in Potomac, Md., outside Washington, D.C.

New NIH resources help growing number of Americans with vision loss

Friday, 1 February 2013 8:00:00 EST

A 20-page large-print booklet and a series of videos to help people adapt to life with low vision are available from the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health. The materials were released during Low Vision Awareness Month, February 2013.

Webinar-Between Thought and Therapy: Translating Neurobiology Research into Treatments

Thursday, 31 January 2013 1:30:00 EST

This webinar will explore how translational neurobiology research is being conducted in the Intramural Research Program of the NIH in disorders as diverse as depression, age-related macular degeneration, and Gaucher's disease. Panelists all conduct translational research across the full bench-to-bedside continuum, with the ultimate goal of developing novel paradigms for the treatment of a range of diseases and improving the quality of life for patients.

New Findings Suggest Need for Combined Strategy in Treatment of Rare Form of Blindness

Friday, 25 January 2013 3:30:00 EST

In 2008, a team of scientists funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, reported major progress in the treatment of an inherited form of progressive blindness using gene therapy. The team now reports that although treatment improved eyesight, cells in the eye crucial for vision continued to diminish in number. This new finding suggests a need for a combination therapy that restores vision and protects the eye's cells. The findings are published in the January 21 early online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

NIH urges dilated eye exams to detect glaucoma

Monday, 14 January 2013 3:30:00 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, observes Glaucoma Awareness Month each January by encouraging Americans at higher risk for glaucoma to schedule a comprehensive dilated eye exam and to make a habit of doing so every one to two years. While anyone can get glaucoma, people at higher risk include African Americans age 40 and over; adults over the age of 60, especially those who are Mexican American; and people who have a family history of the disease.

NEI Grantee Receives Prestigious Award in Biophysics

Monday, 14 January 2013 1:30:00 EST

Dr. King-Wai Yau, long-time NEI grantee, received the Alexander Hollaender Award in Biophysics for 2013. The award is presented every three years by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to recognize outstanding contributions in the field.

NIH study suggests immune system could play a central role in AMD

Thur, 27 November 2012 3:30:00 EST

Changes in how genes in the immune system function may result in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of visual impairment in older adults, based on preliminary research conducted by National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigators.

Sharp rise in diabetic eye disease makes American Diabetes Month ever more important

Tue, 6 November 2012 3:30:00 EST

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults in the United States. According to recent studies funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), diabetic retinopathy, one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes, increased by 3.7 million new cases over the last decade. Approximately 7.7 million Americans are now affected by diabetic retinopathy. Even more alarming, the rate is projected to climb to 11 million by 2030. People with diabetes are also at greater risk for cataracts, which is a clouding of the eye lens, and glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve. But diabetic retinopathy is by far the most common sight-threatening condition among people with diabetes and is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20 to 74 years.

NEI Welcomes Its First Stadtman Investigator

Wed, 3 October 2012 3:30:00 EST

Kapil Bharti, Ph.D., has joined the NEI as a Stadtman tenure-track investigator, a first for the National Eye Institute.

Retinal Device Restores Sight in Mice

Mon, 20 September 2012 1:30:00 EST

Researchers have developed a new prosthetic technique that can restore vision to blind mice. The approach could potentially be further developed to improve sight in blind people.

Emily Chew Joins ARVO Board of Trustees

Mon, 20 September 2012 1:00:00 EST

Dr. Emily Chew was recently elected to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Board of Trustees. She will serve as a Clinical/Epidemiologic Research Trustee. The board is comprised of elected members from ARVO's 13 scientific sections along with elected and trustee-appointed officers. It sets the strategic direction for ARVO and has the final responsibility and authority for all actions and policies that are recommended or adopted by standing and special committees, advisory councils and representatives to professional and governmental organizations, agents and employees.

See, Hear, Speak: Are Kids' Senses Ready for School?

Mon, 17 September 2012 3:00:00 EST

When setting off for kindergarten or first grade, a child may feel prepared with a backpack loaded with crayons, pencils and paper. But a good start in the classroom depends on more than just school supplies. Healthy hearing, vision, speech and language are key to success at school. If a child has problems in these areas, the sooner they're spotted, the better they can be treated.

NEI Grantee Pawan Sinha, Ph.D. Receives Presidential Award

Mon, 20 August 2012 9:00:00 EST

Dr. Pawan Sinha has been selected by the White House to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. Sinah is a professor of vision and computational neuroscience in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

NIH launches contest for audacious goals in vision research

Mon, 13 August 2012 9:00:00 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is offering $3,000 awards to as many as 20 contestants who submit the most compelling one-page ideas to advance vision science. The submission deadline for the Challenge to Identify Audacious Goals in Vision Research and Blindness Rehabilitation is November 12, 2012. Winning contestants will be invited to present, discuss, and refine their ideas at the NEI Audacious Goals Development Meeting, February 24-26, 2013, in Washington D.C.

National Advisory Eye Council Recommendation

Mon, 09 July 2012 9:00:00 EST

On February 2, 2012, the National Advisory Eye Council (NAEC) recommended publication of Vision Research: Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities. This document is a comprehensive review of highlights of recent progress in vision research and considers opportunities that lie ahead.

ARVO President Visits the NEI

Mon, 25 June 2012 12:00:00 EST

Professor Peng Tee Khaw, current president of The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), visited the NEI on June 6, 2012.

Eye Information Available in NIHSeniorHealth.gov

Thu, 14 June 2012 11:00:00 EST

The National Eye Institute is proud to have contributed five vision-related topics to the enhanced version of NIHSeniorHealth. The National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine recently announced the expansion and updating of NIHSeniorHealth, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) health and wellness website designed for older adults. Visitors to the site can learn about ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat aging-related diseases and conditions including age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and low vision.

Alcon Research Institute Awards Rachel Caspi

Thu, 14 June 2012 11:00:00 EST

Dr. Rachel Caspi, chief of the NEI's Immunoregulation Section in the Laboratory of Immunology, recently received an Alcon Research Institute Award. This award was set up to support research in eye health and to expand the frontiers of vision sciences throughout the world. This year, Alcon awarded six outstanding vision researchers with $100,000 each in funding, an invitation to an honorary symposium, and lifetime membership in the Alcon Research Institute.

Brian Brooks Wins Translational Research Award

Thu, 14 June 2012 11:00:00 EST

Dr. Brian Brooks received the 2012 the ARVO Foundation/Pfizer Ophthalmics/Carl Camras Translational Research Award. This new award was made possible by a generous donation from Pfizer Ophthalmics in honor of the late Dr. Carl B. Camras, a highly respected glaucoma specialist and a research scientist. Dr. Brooks is chief of the NEI's Unit on Pediatric, Developmental and Genetic Ophthalmology. He is one of the few clinician scientists in North America with board certification in both ophthalmology and medical genetics.

United States and United Kingdom Collaborate on Ocular Immunology

Tue, 5 June 2012 11:00:00 EST

The NEI, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has become the first U.S. government agency to develop a formal collaborative research and training agreement with the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS). The agreement was signed earlier this year. Human ocular immunology will be the initial focus of the collaboration. Human immune system response can lead to inflammation which has been associated with diseases such as uveitis, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Avastin and Lucentis are equivalent in treating age-related macular degeneration

Mon, 30 April 2012 8:00:00 EST

At two years, Avastin (bevacizumab) and Lucentis (ranibizumab injection), two widely used drugs to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), improve vision when administered monthly or on an as needed basis, although greater improvements in vision were seen with monthly administration for this common, debilitating eye disease, according to researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health.

NIH encourages Americans to make healthy vision last a lifetime

Tue, 24 April 2012 12:00:00 EST

Common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) threaten millions of Americans, potentially robbing them of vision, mobility, and independence. New discoveries are yielding sight-saving treatments, but early diagnosis, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care are essential to preventing irreversible vision loss.

NEI Hosts Director of Suraj Eye Institute

Tue, 24 April 2012 9:00:00 EST

On March 30, 2012, NEI deputy director Dr. Deborah Carper, senior management, clinical research team members and geneticists at NEI met with Dr. Vinay Nangia, head of Suraj Eye Institute in Nagpur, India.

NEI Hosts University of Philippines Chancellor

Tue, 24 April 2012 9:00:00 EST

On March 29, 2012, NEI director, Dr. Paul Sieving and senior management hosted Dr. Manual Agulto, Chancellor of the University of Philippines in Manila. Dr. Agulto also leads National Institutes of Health of the Philippines and is the only ophthalmologist to lead a major university campus in the world.

ARVO Honors Three NEI Scientists

Wed, 14 March 2012 9:00:00 EST

Drs. Igal Gery, Anand Swaroop, and Stanislav Tomarev will be recognized by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) with their prestigious "FARVO" (Fellow of ARVO) designation. This award honor members for their individual accomplishments, leadership, and contributions to the Association.

Swaroop Alcon Award

Wed, 14 March 2012 9:00:00 EST

Dr. Anand Swaroop, chief, Laboratory of Neurobiology-Neurodegeneration and Repair (N-NRL), joins a group of select scientists whom the Alcon Research Institute (ARI) regards as "outstanding, internationally recognized experts at the cutting edge of their respective field of vision research."

New App to the Help the Blind Recognize Objects

Wed, 14 March 2012 9:00:00 EST

NantWorks LLC has released the new LookTel Recognizer app designed to help people who are blind or visually impaired recognize everyday objects by using their iPhone camera. Users build their item database by capturing an image of an item and recording an audio description. The LookTel Recognizer will then immediately recognize the item the next time the phone camera is pointed at it.

NIH spotlights research for rare eye diseases during Rare Disease Day

Tue, 28 February 2012 11:33:16 EST

On the fifth annual Rare Disease Day, the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, joins patients and organizations around the world to raise awareness of rare diseases, celebrate advances in treatment, and pledge continued support of rare disease research.

NIH statement on Glaucoma Awareness Month, January 2012

Wed, 04 January 2012 11:33:16 EST

Glaucoma is a major cause of vision loss in the United States, affecting about 2.2 million Americans. The National Eye Institute (NEI) leads research toward better prevention, detection, and treatment of this often silent but devastating disease. During Glaucoma Awareness Month, NEI highlights research advances, showcases education and awareness efforts, and reminds Americans that early detection and treatment is the best way to prevent vision loss. NEI advises all Americans at risk of glaucoma to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every one to two years.

NIH encourages annual dilated eye exams during National Diabetes Month

Thu, 03 November 2011 11:33:16 EST

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes. During National Diabetes Month, the National Eye Institute (NEI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is encouraging people with diabetes to get annual dilated eye exams and take steps to avoid vision loss.

Decorative Contact Lenses

Mon, 27 Oct 2011 15:43:46 EST

Around Halloween time, health experts fear that consumers will harm their eyes with unapproved decorative contact lenses. These are contact lenses that some people use to temporarily change their eye color or to make their eyes look weird - for example, giving them an "eye-of-the-tiger" look. Dr. Rachel Bishop, chief of the Consult Service at the National Eye Institute, talks with Joe Balintfy of NIH Radio about this potentially harmful practice.

National Eye Institute urges older Americans to protect their vision

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 2:43:46 EST

Older people are at increased risk of several eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and glaucoma. AMD can cause profound loss of central vision due to the breakdown of the eye's light-sensing cells in the retina. Cataracts cloud vision through clumping of proteins in the eye's lens. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve often due to increased pressure in the eye. The increase in type 2 diabetes, which is more common in older Americans and especially minorities, means many more are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy, a disease that impairs vision due to diabetes-related injury to the eye's blood vessels.

Funded by National Eye Institute, Makers of Bionic Eye Receive Eight Millionth Patent

Thu, 22 Sept 2011 2:43:46 EST

The Argus II retinal prosthesis, developed by Second Sight, Inc., with funding from the National Eye Institute (NEI), was recognized September 8, 2011, in honor of being the 8 millionth patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The Argus II is a device that restores limited sight to the blind.

NEI Displays Eye Health PSA in Times Square

Fri, 1 July 2011 10:16:27 EST

If you're walking around 42nd Street and 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City, take a look up at the CBS Super Screen and you'll see a public service announcement (PSA) from the National Eye Institute (NEI). This 15-second spot, which runs once each hour, will be on display from April through September.

Going Blind, Film and Discussion

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 3:16:27 EST

On June 7, the National Eye Institute (NEI) hosted the showing of Going Blind, a documentary that seeks to raise public awareness about vision loss and low vision issues that profoundly affect the lives of an increasing number of people. The NEI provided support for the film through its Healthy Vision Community Awards Program. The film profiles people who have lost sight through blinding diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, infection and injury. To learn more about Going Blind, including how to obtain the film, visit http://www.goingblindmovie.com/.

NEI Researcher Hikosaka Elected to AAAS

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 10:48:27 EST

Dr. Okihide Hikosaka, a senior intramural NEI researcher, has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a distinguished society whose members include some of the world's most accomplished and influential professionals. He will be inducted at a ceremony on October 1, 2011 at the Academy's headquarters in Cambridge, MA.

NIH study finds Avastin and Lucentis are equally effective in treating age-related macular degeneration

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:48:27 EST

Researchers are reporting results from the first year of a two-year clinical trial that Avastin, a drug approved to treat some cancers and that is commonly used off-label to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is as effective as the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug Lucentis for the treatment of AMD.

NEI Names 2011 Healthy Vision Community Awards Recipients

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:53:45 EST

Bethesda, MD Working in Appalachia and Harlem, serving toddlers and seniors, the 2011 Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) winners are committed to making eye health and vision priorities in their communities. HVCA, sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, is a unique program that provides awards up to $10,000 to make a difference in communities across the Nation by supporting grassroots eye health education. This seed money supplies the spark that gets projects started, which are then sustained through community partnerships.

National Eye Institute Mourns First Director, Dr. Carl Kupfer

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 16:21:20 EST

Dr. Carl Kupfer, who served as director of the National Eye Institute (NEI) for 30 years, died on April 7 after a long illness. He was 83.

LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:22:52 EST

In October 2009, the FDA, the National Eye Institute, and the Department of Defense launched the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project. This project examines patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following LASIK, a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependence on glasses or contact lenses. A PRO is a report of a condition experienced by the patient and reported by the patient, not the health care provider.

2011 NEI/FDA Use of Functional Vision Endpoints in Visual Prostheses Product Development

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:59:42 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring a one-day conference to examine how both functional and objective endpoints can be used in clinical trials of visual prostheses. The discussions will determine how daily living activities, such as mobility, can be analyzed and correlated with objective measures of visual acuity, visual fields and contrast sensitivity. These assessments may provide valuable information that will corroborate standard clinical test outcomes.

Student's Lab Experience at NEI

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:1:33 EST

The crowded Metro train screeched to a stop. Medical Center, red line to Shady Grove, the driver announced over the loudspeaker. I threw my backpack over my shoulder, climbed the monstrous escalator, and walked out into the almost unbearbable summer heat toward the entrance to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. After having my badge scanned at the front gate, I made my way to the National Eye Institute in Building 10, NIHs Clinical Center. I boarded a packed elevator, rode up to the tenth floor, and headed down the long hallway to my laboratory, the doors of which were decorated with postcards from all over the world and Biosafety Level 2 signs.

Congressional Justification for FY 2012

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:2:2 EST

The NEI Congressional Justification for Fiscal Year 2012

NEI Mourns Richard F. Mercer

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:39:21 EST

Richard Mercer, certified ophthalmic technician with the National Eye Institute, passed away on Monday, January 17. He was 57. Mr. Mercer was a dedicated member of the NEI Clinical Services Section and had served as an ophthalmic technician since 1995. His great sense of humor was well known and delighted NEI staff and the patients.

Request for Input to the NEI Plan, Vision Research in 2011

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:18:17 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI) invites you to provide your input to the Institute's upcoming plan, Vision Research in 2011: Needs, Gaps, and Opportunities. This Request for Information (RFI) solicits opinions from those members of the scientific, medical, and patient communities with an interest to help shape the research agenda of the NEI.

President Bestows Awards to Two National Eye Institute Scientists

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 8:59:15 EST

The White House has honored two members of the National Eye Institute (NEI) research community with one of its most prestigious awards. Brian P. Brooks, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the National Eye Institute (NEI) Intramural Research Program and chief of the NEI Unit on Pediatric, Developmental, and Genetic Ophthalmology, and Doris Y. Tsao, Ph.D., an NEI grantee and assistant professor of biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), were among a distinguished group of 85 researchers selected to receive the 2009 Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

NIH 2010 Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series: Dr. Jean Bennett Speaks on Gene Therapy Success

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:29:35 EST

On Wednesday, December 15, the NIH Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series will feature Dr. Jean Bennett, Professor of Ophthalmology and Cell and Developmental Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. The tile of her presentation will be "Seeing is Believing: A Gene Therapy Success." The lecture will be held at 3:00 p.m. in NIH Clinical Center (Building 10), Masur Auditorium.

NIH adds first images to major research database

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 8:23:48 EST

The National Institutes of Health has expanded a genetic and clinical research database to give researchers access to the first digital study images. The National Eye Institute (NEI), in collaboration with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), has made available more than 72,000 lens photographs and fundus photographs of the back of the eye, collected from the participants of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).

Brian P. Brooks, M.D., Ph.D. Receives Presidential Award

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 9:50:51 EST

Dr. Brian P. Brooks has been selected by the White House to receive the 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Dr. Brooks is a member of the NEI Intramural Research Program and is chief of the NEI Unit on Pediatric, Developmental and Genetic Ophthalmology.

West to Speak on Trachoma at NIH Global Health Seminar

Fri, 5 Nov 2010 13:3:18 EST

Dr. Sheila West, the El-Maghraby professor of preventive ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, will give a lecture titled New Directions for Trachoma Control: Lessons from the STAR and PRET Trials for Trachoma in Africa. The talk, to be held on Wednesday, November 10 at 2 p.m. in Building. 31, Room. 6C10, is sponsored by the trans-NIH global health working group. Wests lecture is part of a series of occasional seminars examining best practices in the planning and conduct of international clinical trials, especially those in low- and middle-income settings.

The Standard Care vs. Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion Trial (SCORE)

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:41:44 EST

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is an eye condition in which a blood clot slows or stops circulation in a large vein within the light-sensitive retinal tissue. Reduced retinal blood flow frequently triggers the growth of abnormal blood vessels. These vessels leak blood into the macula, the central part of the retina, causing it to swell, a damaging complication called macular edema. Macular edema is the most common cause of vision loss from CRVO. Retinal laser photocoagulation therapy is used to prevent further blood vessel growth but does not eliminate edema. Until now, there has not been an effective treatment for macular edema associated with CRVO.

Elimination of Blinding Trachoma Unexpectedly Reduces Childhood Mortality

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:41:2 EST

Trachoma is a leading cause of blindness in the developing world and affects an estimated 8 million people. Children are most susceptible to this infectious disease that is caused by exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis, a microorganism which spreads through contact with other infected people and through transmission by flies. After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid becomes severely scarred, causing the eyelid to turn inward. The eyelashes then scrape against the normally transparent cornea, leading to irreversible corneal opacities and blindness. Trachoma is endemic in crowded areas with poor personal hygiene, lack of clean water, absence of toilets, flies, and close proximity to cattle.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) Are Used to Prevent Vision Loss in Rodent Model of Retinal Degeneration

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:23:36 EST

Retinal neurodegenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older Americans. AMD involves degeneration and destruction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a thin layer of tissue that supports and nourishes the light-detecting photoreceptor cells in the neural retina. Replacing damaged RPE cells using normal, functioning RPE cells is not yet possible. However, the recent discovery that stem cells can be created from adult, rather than embryonic cells, provides a new approach to generate RPE cells for replacing damaged tissue.

KLF Family Members Regulate Intrinsic Axon Regeneration Ability

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:22:18 EST

Glaucoma is a family of neurodegenerative diseases that can lead to death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which results in progressive vision loss and ultimately blindness. RGCs are neurons in the optic nerve that relay visual impulses from the retina to the brain where final visual processing occurs. Although the causes of RGC degeneration are not completely understood, axon loss is an early component in the disease. Axons are the fiber-like extensions of a neuron which transmit electrical signals to other neuronal cells. Developing neurons can regenerate new axons; however, adult neurons cannot.

Clinical Trial Network Demonstrates Comparative Effectiveness of Lucentis for Reversing Some Vision Loss Caused by Diabetes

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:2:11 EST

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. The condition results from the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the back of the eye that leak fluid and serum in to the retina. As a result, the retina swells, damaging photoreceptor cells. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause severe visual impairment and blindness.

NEI Neuroscientist Robert H. Wurtz, Ph.D., Awarded Gruber Neuroscience Prize

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:0:54 EST

The National Eye Institutes Robert H. Wurtz, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2010 Neuroscience Prize from The Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation for his pioneering work in establishing and advancing the field of cognitive neuroscience. He is being honored for his initial studies on brain structures that contribute to visual processing and initiate eye movements. This basic research knowledge has laid a foundation for scientists to better understand how brain organization contributes to physical behaviors, and has made possible all current visual cognition studies, on topics including attention, motion perception and motivation.

Join the NIH on the National Mall for the Inaugural USA Science and Engineering Festival!

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 10:12:22 EST

On October 23-24, 2010, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will join over 400 science and engineering organizations from across the country in a 2-day Expo on the National Mall and surrounding area to provide interactive and fun science activities for kids of all ages. All events are free and open to the public. The purpose is to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspiring the next generation to enter these exciting fields.

2010 NEI/FDA Glaucoma Clinical Trial Design and Endpoints Symposium: Measures of Structural Change and Visual Function

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 10:11:33 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) invite you to help develop definitions and standards to describe structural changes in the glaucomatous optic nerve and functional changes in vision that could constitute "approvable" endpoints for new glaucoma therapeutics.

NEIs Dr. Rachel R. Caspi Receives Friedenwald Award

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 13:44:23 EST

On May 4, Rachel Caspi, Ph.D., chief of the NEIs Immunoregulation Section in the Laboratory of Immunology, received the 2010 Friedenwald Award. The Friedenwald Award is presented each year for outstanding contributions to basic or clinical research in ophthalmology by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

ACCORD Eye Study Finds Two Therapies Slow Diabetic Eye Disease Progression

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 13:43:1 EST

In high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans.

NEI Mourns Jin H. Kinoshita

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:33:53 EST

Jin H. Kinoshita, Ph.D., renowned vision researcher and former scientific director at the National Eye Institute (NEI), died on August 20 in San Jose, California, after a long illness. He was 89.

Dr. Deborah Carper Appointed NEI Deputy Director

Fri, 21 May 2010 8:28:15 EST

Deborah Carper, Ph.D., has been appointed to the position of deputy director of the National Eye Institute (NEI). She has served as the NEI acting deputy director since March 2009. She will be the first female deputy director in the NEI's 40-year history.

U.S. Latinos Have High Rates of Developing Vision Loss and Certain Eye Conditions

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:43:26 EST

Latinos have higher rates of developing visual impairment, blindness, diabetic eye disease, and cataracts than non-Hispanic whites, researchers found. These are the first estimates of visual impairment and eye disease development in Latinos, the largest and fastest growing minority population in the United States.

Comparative-Effectiveness Study Confirms New Treatment for Diabetic Macular Edema

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 10:31:14 EST

Researchers have shown that ranibizumab eye injections, often in combination with laser treatment, result in better vision than laser treatment alone for diabetes-associated swelling of the retina.

Strategy Confirmed to Help Doctors Determine When to Treat Retinopathy of Prematurity

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:2:25 EST

Scientists have shown that through an eye exam, doctors can identify infants who are most likely to benefit from early treatment for a potentially blinding eye condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), resulting in better vision for many children.

Additional Genes Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Identified

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:41:42 EST

A large genetic study of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has identified three new genes associated with this blinding eye disease-two involved in the cholesterol pathway. Results of this large-scale collaborative study, supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, were published online April 12 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

NEI Mourns Arnall Patz

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 9:55:23 EST

Arnall Patz, M.D., renowned vision researcher and emeritus professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University, died of heart disease on Thursday, March 11. He was 89.

Statement from Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, during World Glaucoma Week, March 7-13, 2010

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:22:57 EST

Glaucoma is one of the world's leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Vision organizations around the globe highlight this disease as a research and public health priority during World Glaucoma Week. The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, takes this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to supporting research that will identify risk factors for the condition and develop treatments to preserve the sense of sight.

NEI 2009 Summer Intern an Intel Science Talent Search Finalist

Wed, 18 Feb 2010 13:8:54 EST

Yifan Li, a senior at Blair Montgomery High School in Silver Spring, MD, is one of forty finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search this year. His eight-week project while a summer intern with Dr. Lijin Dong in NEI's Genetic Engineering Facility caught the eye of judges from the Society for Science and the Public, who run the competition for high school seniors with sponsorship from Intel Corporation. Yifan will present his work during a weeklong conference in March in Washington, D.C., and will compete for up to $100,000 in awards.

Focus on Glaucoma--NEI 40th Anniversary Symposium

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:8:54 EST

The symposium "Focus on Glaucoma" is open to the wide scientific community interested in glaucoma and nerve degeneration/ regeneration, within and outside the NIH. The talks will cover research on: control of axon growth by retinal ganglion cells and the mechanisms of neurodegeneration; genetics defects that predispose to inherited glaucoma and computational methods supporting this research; - translational medicine for glaucoma and clinical trials.

Eye on NEI

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 17:9:57 EST

Eye On NEI: Top 5 Stories for 2009

Book recounts history of the NEI

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:4:19 EST

Carl Kupfer, M.D., and Edward McManus have been a team since 1973-Kupfer's third year as the first director of the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and McManus's first year as NEI executive officer.

SCORE Study Results

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:53:30 EST

Retinal vein occlusion is a condition in which a blood clot slows or stops circulation in a vein within the eye's light-sensitive retinal tissue. If this condition occurs in a large vein, it is known as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). If it occurs in a smaller vein, the condition is known as branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).

Recognition and thanks to M. Velma Dobson Long time NEI Grantee

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:37:44 EST

The NEI recently presented an award to Dr. Velma Dobson for her outstanding contributions to the field of infant and child vision research and for her distinguished service to the NEI.

Gene Therapy One Year Later: Patients Healthy and Maintain Early Visual Improvement

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:36:25 EST

Three young adults who received gene therapy for a blinding eye condition remained healthy and maintained previous visual gains one year later, according to an August online report in Human Gene Therapy. One patient also noticed a visual improvement that helped her perform daily tasks, which scientists describe in an Aug. 13 letter to the editor in the New England Journal of Medicine.

National Advisory Eye Council Welcomes Four New Members

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 10:13:29 EST

The National Advisory Eye Council for the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, announces the appointment of four new members: Joseph A. Bonanno, O.D., Ph.D.; James Chodosh, M.D., M.P.H.; Col. Donald A. Gagliano, M.D.; and Alberta L. Orr, M.S.W.

Statement by Dr. Paul A. Sieving, National Eye Institute Director, on the Nomination of Dr. Francis Collins to the Position of NIH Director

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:26:4 EST

I am pleased that President Obama has chosen to nominate Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., to be the next NIH director. As a clinician-scientist with medical genetics expertise, Dr. Collins possesses a keen understanding of the need for science, policy and public health to align to improve lives of people affected by inherited diseases, including those related to vision.

Eye on NEI

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 8:45:33 EST

The National Eye Institute's online news magazine. July 2009

Summer Experiences for Students and Teachers!

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 11:10:16 EST

The NIH is providing opportunities for funding to grantee institutions to support summer research experiences for students and teachers across the country.

Eye on NEI

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 8:42:54 EST

The National Eye Institute's online news magazine.

World Glaucoma Day 2009

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 12:32:58 EST

On the second annual World Glaucoma Day, the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), joins with groups around the globe to recognize this blinding visual condition as a scientific research priority and a public health concern. We at NEI reaffirm our commitment to support research that will identify glaucoma risk factors and lead to treatments that will prevent vision loss and blindness.

From Outer Space to the Eye Clinic: New Cataract Early Detection Technique--Patients and Astronauts Benefit from NEI-NASA Collaboration

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 9:33:41 EST

A compact fiber-optic probe developed for the space program has now proven valuable for patients in the clinic as the first non-invasive early detection device for cataracts, the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.

National Eye Health Education Program Names New Planning Committee Chair

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:3:40 EST

Anne L. Coleman, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed chair of the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) Planning Committee. Dr. Coleman, who is professor of Ophthalmology and Epidemiology/Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles, also serves as director of the Center for Eye Epidemiology at UCLAs Jules Stein Eye Institute.

Neuroscience and the National Eye Institute: Vision Research Presentations at Neuroscience 2008

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 9:8:6 EST

Researchers supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as researchers working on-site at NEI will present recent advances in vision science at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. Topics will include stem cells, visual processing and vision's role in decision making.

NEI Releases Complete Data from Age-Related Eye Disease Study

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:10:43 EST

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces the release of more than 10 years of data collected during the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which looked at the progression of age-related macular degeneration and age-related cataract in 4,757 adults aged 55 to 80.

More Effective Treatment Identified for Common Childhood Vision Disorder

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:46:58 EST

Scientists have found a more effective treatment for a common childhood eye muscle coordination problem called convergence insufficiency (CI). For words on a page to appear in focus a childs eyes must turn inward, or converge. In CI, the eyes do not converge easily, and as a result, additional muscular effort must be used to make the eyes turn in.

Promising Results in Phase 1 Gene Therapy Trial for Blinding Disease

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:27:27 EST

Three young adults with an inherited form of blindness showed evidence of improved day and night vision following a specialized gene transfer procedure in a phase 1 clinical trial funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health. In addition no adverse effects from the therapy were reported. These findings are reported online in the Sept. 22 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and in the Sept. 7 issue of Human Gene Therapy. These new reports extend the findings of two other papers published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results of Gene Transfer for Leber Congenital Amaurosis Reported

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 9:32:20 EST

Three young adults with Leber Congenital Amaurosis-a severe degenerative disease of the retina caused by a mutation in the RPE65 gene-reported improvements in vision after undergoing a specialized gene transfer procedure.

Older Treatment May Be More Effective in Preserving Sight for Some Patients with Diabetes New Drug Treatment Not as Successful and had More Side Effects than Laser Treatment

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:56:24 EST

A promising new drug therapy used to treat abnormal swelling in the eye-a condition called diabetic macular edema-proved less effective than traditional laser treatments in a study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Email Prompts NEI Director to Examine Patient Abroad

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:21:31 EST

In advance of NEI director Dr. Paul A. Sieving's recent trip to China, a poster at Tianjin Eye Hospital promoted one of his lectures. Just days before Sieving was scheduled to speak, a local high school English teacher saw the poster and immediately thought of his father who was experiencing vision loss.

NEI Launches RSS Feed

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 14:15:00 EST

Welcome to the new NEI RSS feed! Bookmark this feed or add it to your favorite RSS reader to get automatic updates from NEI.