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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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268 items
Richard Lee, NEI's Clinical Director, 2023

National Eye Institute selects Dr. Richard Lee as clinical director

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has chosen Richard Lee, M.D., Ph.D., as the institute’s clinical director, overseeing clinical research and serving as clinical policy advisor for NEI.

Signs of glaucoma may be detectable years in advance of disease onset

Research funded by the National Eye Institute suggests that low density of pigment in the macula, the region of the retina required for sharp central vision, is associated with thinning of the retina and may serve as an early warning sign of glaucoma.
Emily Chew

Emily Chew named NIH distinguished investigator

A longstanding member of the NEI/NIH community, Emily, Chew, M.D., has been promoted to the title of NIH Distinguished Investigator for her tireless and prolific work as a care provider and clinical trialist.
Andrew Bower

NEI postdoc to use research award to study cellular function with adaptive optics

The K99/R00 provides a runway for postdocs seeking to transition from mentored positions to tenure track positions at academic institutions in the U.S.
Eye Exam

Possible tool discovered to diagnose common contributor to vascular dementia

A research team has discovered that a non-invasive eye exam may be a possible tool for screening Black Americans and other people from underdiagnosed and high-risk populations for cerebral small vessel disease, a major contributor to cognitive impairment.
Nitin Verma

Filling the eye care gap down under

Nitin Verma visited NIH and shared his lifetime perspective on the delivery of vision care to underserved populations in the Australia/South Pacific region—roughly 50-million people scattered across vast stretches of land and ocean.

Short-term use of immunosuppressants not linked to cancer risk

Relatively short-term use of immunosuppressant medications to control an inflammatory disease was not associated with an increased risk of later developing cancer, according to new research.

Cell therapy that repairs cornea damage with patient’s own stem cells achieves positive Phase I trial results

Cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cells (CALEC) procedure shown to be safe and feasible with early positive results of restored cornea surfaces or vision gains in four patients with severe chemical burns.
illustration showing axial elongation of the eye from myopia

Very low-dose atropine eye drops no better than placebo for slowing myopia progression

Use of low-dose atropine eyedrops (concentration 0.01%) was no better than placebo at slowing myopia (nearsightedness) progression and elongation of the eye among children treated for two years

Patients with specific types of lipids may be at higher risk of developing blinding eye disease

Scientists find association between lipid metabolism and glaucoma.