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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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DNA methylation process

NEI researchers link age-related DNA modifications to susceptibility to eye disease

National Eye Institute (NEI) researchers profiling epigenomic changes in light-sensing mouse photoreceptors have a clearer picture of how age-related eye diseases may be linked to age-related changes in the regulation of gene expression.
photoreceptors

Researchers restore sight in mice by turning skin cells into light-sensing eye cells

Researchers have discovered a technique for directly reprogramming skin cells into light-sensing rod photoreceptors used for vision. The lab-made rods enabled blind mice to detect light after the cells were transplanted into the animals’ eyes.
Vegetables and fish on kitchen counter

Diet may help preserve cognitive function

According to a recent analysis of data from two major eye disease studies, adherence to the Mediterranean diet – high in vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil – correlates with higher cognitive function.
Grayscale slice of mouse brain with neurons highlighted

It’s now or never: Visual events have 100 milliseconds to hit brain target or go unnoticed

Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have defined a crucial window of time that mice need to key in on visual events.
Kantorow and Brennan

Florida Atlantic Scientists land NEI grant for tissue engineering approach

The Kantorow Laboratory and research program have been continually funded by the NIH’s National Eye Institute for almost two decades.
Rods and cones: Photoreceptors in a human retina

Researchers Find That Nicotinamide May Help Treat Fibrotic Eye Diseases and Mitigate Vision

Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, can inhibit aggressive cell transformations during wound healing and may be key to the development of therapies to treat fibrotic eye diseases that impair vision.
Scientists in the laboratory

Lipid helps heal the eye’s frontline protection

A species of a lipid that naturally helps skin injuries heal appears to also aid repair of common corneal injuries, even when other conditions, like diabetes, make healing difficult, scientists report.
Images of dry AMD retina

NIH researchers discover tooth-enamel protein in eyes with dry AMD

A protein that normally deposits mineralized calcium in tooth enamel may also be responsible for calcium deposits in the back of the eye in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Eye chart for testing vision

Therapy could improve, prolong sight in those suffering vision loss

Millions of Americans are progressively losing their sight as cells in their eyes deteriorate, but a new therapy developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, could help prolong useful vision and delay total blindness.

Four in 10 US Adults Are at High Risk for Vision Loss

In 2017, approximately 93 million US adults aged 18 years or older, or about 4 in 10, were at high risk for vision loss, according to a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.