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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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136 items

NEI study points to ‘ground zero’ for AMD development

National Eye Institute researchers studying human retinas discovered 87 target genes where a mix of environmental factors likely influence one’s risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss.
minocycline pill bottle in front of retina photo

Inflammation-reducing drug shows no benefit for dry age-related macular degeneration in NIH trial

The drug minocycline, an antibiotic that also decreases inflammation, failed to slow vision loss or expansion of geographic atrophy in people with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a phase II clinical study.

'Monocyte factory' to help scientists study immune-related conditions of the eye

The technique, known by the research team as a “monocyte factory,” makes possible a theoretically limitless source of human immune cells for research and the development of therapies for a variety of conditions including eye disease.
Pipet

New technique enhances quality control of lab-grown cells for AMD treatment

NEI researchers improved a crucial step in the production of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a tissue they grow in the lab from patient blood cells and are testing in a clinical trial as treatment for AMD.

LSU Health discovery may open new therapeutic avenues for degenerative diseases of the brain and eye

Researchers at Louisiana State University have identified a new mechanism that protects against the excessive oxidative stress that precedes the development of neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and eye.

NEI study shows how genes in retina get regulated during development

Researchers at the National Eye Institute have mapped the 3D organization of genetic material of key developmental stages of human retinal formation, using intricate models of a retina grown in the lab.

Story of discovery: NEI-funded research paves way for new dry AMD drugs

This year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Syfovre (pegcetacoplan) and Izervay (avacincaptad pegol), the very first drugs for treating geographic atrophy (GA), also known as late-stage “dry” age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Artistic rendering of a retinal organoid.

Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists uncover molecular link between wet and dry macular degeneration

Wilmer Eye Institute researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found how oxidative stress and the protein HIF-1 contributes to what kind of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) a patient could develop.

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.
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.