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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.

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939 items
David Gamm in the laboratory

UW researchers devise approach to treat rare, incurable form of blindness

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin‒Madison have published a proof-of-concept method to correct an inherited form of macular degeneration that causes blindness, and that is currently untreatable.
An illustration of a human brain with stimulated neurons.

Ultra-low power brain implants find meaningful signal in grey matter noise

University of Michigan researchers have dramatically reduced the power requirements of neural interfaces while improving their accuracy—a discovery that could lead to long-lasting brain implants.
neurons

Neurons are genetically programmed to have long lives

Researchers reveal a mechanism by which long-term survival of neurons is intrinsically programmed during development.
Dr. Michael Chiang

NIH selects Dr. Michael Chiang as director of the National Eye Institute

National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., has chosen Michael F. Chiang, M.D., as director of NIH’s National Eye Institute (NEI).
IL-17A acts on Th17 cells to produce anti-inflammatory response

Dual role discovered for molecule involved in autoimmune eye disease

The inflammatory molecule interleukin-17A (IL-17A) triggers immune cells that in turn reduce IL-17A’s pro-inflammatory activity, according to a new NEI study.
Computerized image of an eyeball, optic nerve and brain.

Study points to potential new approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have shown for the first time that when one optic nerve in the eye is damaged, as in glaucoma, the opposite optic nerve comes to the rescue by sharing its metabolic energy.
An illustration of a human brain with stimulated neurons.

Study helps to settle debate on roles of REM and non-REM sleep in visual learning

A study by a team of Brown University researchers sheds new light on the complementary roles of REM and non-REM sleep in visual perceptual learning.
Fundus photograph of age-related macular degeneration showing drusen.

Combating drug resistance in age-related macular degeneration

Researchers have discovered a strategy that can potentially address a major challenge to the current treatment for choroidal neovascularization (CNV), an aggressive form of age-related macular degeneration.
Cross-section of fMRI brain scan with arrow pointing to dark area

Vision loss in children whose eyesight may be 20/20 requires new diagnostic and teaching strategies

Cerebral (cortical) visual impairment (CVI) is a condition that interferes with the ability of the brain to process information from the eyes, and it has become a leading cause of visual impairment in the U.S.
Different colored dots in a circle used for a color plate test

Study finds that special filters in glasses can help the color blind see colors better

A new study found that special patented glasses engineered with technically advanced spectral notch filters enhance color vision for those with the most common types of red-green color vision deficiency (“anomalous trichromacy”).