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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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428 items
fMRI of dog brain showing bright activation in the visual cortex.

Using fMRI, new vision study finds promising model for restoring cone function

Researchers have found that in dogs, fMRI can detect brain responses to daylight vision for black and white information as well as color information, and identify the area of the visual cortex that responds to stimulation of a cone-rich retinal region.

Retinal photoreceptors use dual pathways to tell brain ‘I’ve seen the light!’

Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have shown that intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells use two different pathways at the same time to transmit electrical “vision” signals to the brain.
Scientist examines scientific images on a screen in a dark room.

Retinal imaging and genetics data used to predict future disease risk

Researchers combined retinal imaging, genetics and big data to estimate how likely a person is to develop eye and systemic diseases in the future.
Woman reading eye chart

Mega-analysis identifies gene variants associated with glaucoma in people of African ancestry

A new analysis focusing specifically on people of African ancestry identified three gene variants that may be contributing to this population’s susceptibility to developing and being blinded by glaucoma.

Knowing what dogs like to watch could help veterinarians assess their vision

University of Wisconsin-Madison study to support development of more sensitive ways to assess canine vision discovers what dogs most like to watch.
Eye doctor giving patient an eye exam.

Study finds AI–driven eye exams increase screening rates for youth with diabetes

A study of children and youth with diabetes concludes that diabetic eye exams using artificial intelligence (AI) increase completion rates of screenings to detect diabetic eye disease.
The image on the left is labeled "Normal retina," and shows green rods and red cones. The image on the right is labeled "Retina affected by retinitis pigmentosa," and shows green rods that have broken down.

Researchers engineer in vivo delivery system for prime editing, partially restoring vision in mice

By adapting virus-like particles to carry the machinery for a type of gene editing called prime editing, scientists have corrected disease-causing mutations in animals and increased editing efficiency.
Office-Glaucoma

New research aims to develop novel therapeutic for glaucoma

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are using a novel approach to hopefully develop a new therapy for glaucoma, a complex disease that eventually leads to blindness.
Close up of woman's face.

UH Optometry researcher receives $1.4 million to map the cornea

A team of scientists have received funding to explore new approaches to disentangle intricate nerve networks in the cornea and discover which nerve makes people blink, which creates tears and which nerve tells us our eye is in pain.

Pioneering study indicates a potential treatment for corneal endothelial disease, reducing the need for corneal transplants

Findings from a pioneering study reveal that administration of the neuropeptide α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone (α-MSH) promotes corneal healing and restores normal eye function.