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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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3D illustration of nanoparticle inside an eye

Nanotechnology may improve gene therapy for blindness

January 11, 2023

Using nanotechnology that enabled mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, a new approach to gene therapy may improve how physicians treat inherited forms of blindness.
Microscopy image of red fluorescent retinal neurons

Lab-grown retinal eye cells make successful connections, open door for clinical trials to treat blindness

January 4, 2023

Retinal cells grown from stem cells can reach out and connect with neighbors, according to a new study, completing a “handshake” that may show the cells are ready for trials in humans with degenerative eye disorders.
Green-stained limbal stem cells track towards center of mouse cornea.

Dry eye disease alters how the eye’s cornea heals itself after injury

January 2, 2023

Studying mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that proteins made by stem cells that regenerate the cornea may be new targets for treating and preventing corneal injuries in people with dry eye.
Diagram of myopic eye stretched front-to-back showing light focused in front of the retina

SUNY Optometry receives grant to reveal cellular and molecular mechanisms affecting myopia development

December 29, 2022

Myopia is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide and is growing in prevalence, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the biology of myopia that will lead to new and more effective treatments.
Microelectrode array and 2-photon microscope.

Human brain organoids implanted into mouse cortex respond to visual stimuli for first time

December 28, 2022

A team of engineers and neuroscientists has demonstrated for the first time that human brain organoids implanted in mice have established functional connectivity to the animals’ cortex and responded to external sensory stimuli.
Printed cells

NIH researchers use 3D bioprinting to create eye tissue

December 22, 2022

Scientists used patient stem cells and 3D bioprinting to produce eye tissue that will advance understanding of the mechanisms of blinding diseases.
Fluorescently labeled injured zebrafish retina.

Study identifies a signaling cascade behind retina regeneration in zebrafish

December 9, 2022

Research from University of Michigan scientists reveals Vegf-Notch signaling system that is activated in the injured retina, gives Muller glia stem cell properties.
Building photo

UC Davis Health opens new state-of-the-art eye care facility

December 9, 2022

The University of California Davis welcomed patients to its new, state-of-the-art Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute Building.
Two boys smile at camera. The outer portion of the image is darkened, representing vision loss from glaucoma.

New genetic mutation behind childhood glaucoma identified

November 30, 2022

An international team led by Harvard Medical School scientists has discovered a new genetic mutation that may be a root cause of severe cases of childhood glaucoma, a devastating condition that runs in families.
retina blood vessels

One of two widely used AMD drugs outperforms other at weaning patients off treatment at one year, preliminary study shows

November 30, 2022

A pilot study of 106 patients with “wet” AMD revealed that nearly half of patients treated with Eylea could safely stop therapy after one year, compared to only 17% of patients treated with Avastin.