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    As part of the federal government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Eye Institute’s mission is to “conduct and support research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, and the special health problems and requirements of the blind.”

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    Emily Y. Chew, M.D., Deputy Clinical Director

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NEI News

Eye chart with the word “myopia” in focus
Myopia: A close look at efforts to turn back a growing problem

Several studies indicate that the prevalence of myopia is increasing in the U.S. and worldwide, and researchers project that the trend will continue in the coming decades. Otherwise known as nearsightedness, myopia occurs when the eye grows too long from front to back.

Lavik’s team proposed using a method to screen-print tissue models. The idea is to create layers of the various types of retinal neurons that can be derived in a lab from adult stem cells. The method would allow the layers to be correctly oriented to mimic the structure of the human retina. Image courtesy of Erin Lavik, Sc.D.
National Eye Institute awards prize for ‘Retina in a dish’ competition

A proposal to create a living model of the human retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, won $90,000 in the National Eye Institute (NEI) 3-D Retina Organoid Challenge (3-D ROC). The NEI 3-D ROC is an initiative that seeks to design human retinas from stem cells.

mouse retina
Researchers unlock regenerative potential of cells in the mouse retina

Cells within an injured mouse eye can be coaxed into regenerating neurons and those new neurons appear to integrate themselves into the eye’s circuitry, new research shows. The findings potentially open the door to new treatments for eye trauma and retinal disease.


  • Satellite view of Hurricane Irma

    You Are In Our Thoughts

    The National Eye Institute joins with all Americans in our sympathy for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.  We pledge our support for the vision health and science community as it recovers from professional and personal losses caused by these unprecedented storms.

  • 3D-ROC retina graphic

    3-D Retina Organoid Challenge

    NEI wants to spur development of an organoid system for modeling retina diseases and testing new therapies.

    Learn more

     

  • dog in the visual system video

    Learn about the Eye and Vision

    Our web pages for kids make learning about vision science and eye health fun with videos, optical illusions, and more.

    View the site

  • image of the eye

    Video: New Eye Imaging Tools

    The NEI Audacious Goals Initiative is supporting next-generation imaging tools to view the eye. See some of the stunning imagery.

    View the video

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