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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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“I’ve really been very fortunate that I haven’t had a whole lot of eye problems,” said Schmelzer who was diagnosed with glaucoma.

Glaucoma Awareness Can Help Save Vision for Millions

With Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, it’s a good time to think about scheduling a comprehensive dilated eye exam, especially if you’re at risk for glaucoma.
Grantee News

Researchers Grow Retinal Nerve Cells in the Lab

Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, the type of nerve cells located within the retina that transmit visual signals from the eye to the brain.
Dr. John Guy and colleagues added a homing signal to a virus in order to deliver the ND4 gene into mitochondria. A marker for the gene is shown in red and the ND4 protein is shown in green, inside retinal ganglion cells in the mouse eye. The nuclei of retinal ganglion cells are shown in blue. Credit: Dr. Hong Yu, Bascom Palmer.

Scientists Test New Gene Therapy for Vision Loss From a Mitochondrial Disease

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed a novel mouse model for the vision disorder Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), and found that they can use gene therapy to improve visual function in the mice.
A pronghorn antelope in the Grand Teton National Park captured by a DSLR camera using the image stabilization function (left). The image on the right was artificially blurred to simulate one’s vision without the work of direction-sensitive ganglion cells. Photo is courtesy of Lu O. Sun, Johns Hopkins Medicine.

The Brain’s Autofocus System Helps Stabilize Vision Despite Motion

Much like the automatic focus of a camera, our eyes and brains must constantly recalibrate so that we can get a clear view of the changing—and always moving—world around us.
On the left is a normal optic nerve (light circle at center) and on the right is the optic nerve swelling seen in IIH. Courtesy of Dr. Michael Wall, University of Iowa.

Glaucoma Drug Helps Women with Blinding Disorder Linked to Obesity

An inexpensive glaucoma drug, when added to a weight loss plan, can improve vision for women with a disorder called idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.
An experimental contact lens design releases a glaucoma medicine at a steady rate for up to a month. Credit: Peter Mallen, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Laboratory/Kohane Laboratory, Boston Children's Hospital.

An Experimental Contact Lens to Prevent Glaucoma-Induced Blindness

Like a miniature donut stuffed inside a tiny pita pocket, a common glaucoma medicine is sandwiched inside this specially designed contact lens.
Cross section of retina and optic nerve

Glaucoma: The 'silent thief' begins to tell its secrets

Glaucoma is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss.
National Eye Institute logo.

Three NEI Grantees Join Prestigious National Academy of Sciences

Three researchers supported in part by NEI have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, a nonprofit organization that advises the U.S. government on matters of science and technology.
National Eye Institute logo.

Statement on the Findings of the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of visual loss in the United States and affects about three million Americans. A standard medical treatment for newly diagnosed glaucoma is using eye drops and/or laser treatment to lower the pressure inside...
National Eye Institute logo.

Blacks, Whites Benefit from Different Surgical Glaucoma Treatments

Researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health have discovered that black and white patients with advanced glaucoma respond differently to two surgical treatments for the disease. A paper detailing these findings is published in the July 1998

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