Skip to content

NEI Research News

Thanks to the work of NEI scientists and grantees, we’re constantly learning new information about the causes and treatment of vision disorders. Get the latest updates about their work — along with other news about NEI.

Source
35 items
Photoreceptor precursors

Progress toward a stem cell–based therapy for blindness

July 28, 2022

A multi-institutional effort led by researchers at the UPenn School of Veterinary Medicine is taking steps to develop an effective technique to regenerate photoreceptors cells and restore sight in people with vision disorders.
NEI AGI audacious Goals Initiative for Regenerative Medicine

NEI's regenerative medicine initiative making progress toward its audacious goal

July 5, 2022

A new report outlines progress toward the National Eye Institute's Audacious Goals Initiative (AGI), an effort to restore vision through research in regenerative medicine. The report, published in Nature Medicine.
Multicolored image of photoreceptors and their long connecting processes, called axons, within a stem cell-derived retinal organoid

U. Wisconsin eye research uncovers how stem cell photoreceptors reach their targets

June 15, 2022

A new study reveals how photoreceptors grown from stem cells might extend biological wires, known as axons, to contact existing neurons.
Cone photoreceptors from retinal organoids

UW study finds photoreceptor cells from retinal organoids can replicate key function of vision

February 2, 2022

Researchers from the U. of Wisconsin have shown that a retinal cell type derived from human pluripotent stem cells is capable of the complex process of detecting light and converting that signal to electrical waves.
mouse retina

UCI researchers discover cause, develop pharmacological treatment for reducing retinitis pigmentosa vision loss

January 26, 2022

Inhibiting ceramide accumulation in the retina helps preserve the retina’s structure and function, and improves vision.
AGI identity mark

Learning how transplanted neurons fit in

October 7, 2021

As scientists move closer to testing regenerative therapies for eye disease, techniques are needed to monitor transplanted cells as they integrate with host tissues.
Neurons (green) and their supporting astrocytes (red), created in a petri dish from stem cells.

Cell-replacement Therapies for Visual System Disorders

July 30, 2021

Two translational studies at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute are targeting photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to restore vision through regeneration of the retina. The research is funded by the NEI Audacious Goals Initiative.
Eye is shown connected to visual processing regions of the brain via the optic nerve. Enlargement of retina shows photorecetors, biopolar cells and retinal ganglion cells.

Scientists discover gene therapy provides neuroprotection to prevent glaucoma vision loss

July 22, 2021

A form of gene therapy protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in mouse models of glaucoma, according to research supported by NIH’s National Eye Institute. The findings suggest a way forward for developing neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma.
Photoreceptor precursor cells (red) are shown with extended axons toward bipolar cells.

Audacious projects develop imaging technology to aid eye tissue regeneration

April 21, 2021

As regenerative therapies for blinding diseases move closer to clinical trials, the NEI's functional imaging consortium is pioneering noninvasive technologies to monitor the function of the retina’s neurons and their connections to the brain.

Micro-molded ‘ice cube tray’ scaffold is next step in returning sight to injured retinas

April 21, 2021

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have developed a micro-molded scaffolding photoreceptor “patch” designed to be implanted under a damaged or diseased retina.

Want more news from NEI?

Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay up to date on vision and eye health research!

Success! Link copied to clipboard.

Copy to clipboard failed.

You can also browse older stores in our news archive.

NEI Press Office

We can connect media professionals with the latest vision research info. Get in touch!


Phone: 301-496-5248