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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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NIH study raises doubt about any benefits omega-3 and dietary supplements like these may have for cognitive decline. (Photo courtesy of NEI)

NIH Study Shows no Benefit of Omega-3 or Other Nutritional Supplements for Cognitive Decline

While some research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids can protect brain health, a large clinical trial by researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that omega-3 supplements did not slow cognitive decline in older persons.
Children who slept near a cooking fire were four times as likely to develop severe trachoma compared with children who slept in ventilated rooms without cooking fires. This child’s severe trachoma led to loss of vision in his left eye. Photo courtesy of Raul Vasquez/Orbis.

Trachoma Risk Tied to Sleeping Near Cooking Fires, Lack of Ventilation

Children who sleep in unventilated rooms with cooking fires are at greater risk for severe trachoma, a leading cause of preventable blindness in developing countries.
Grantee News

Tufts University Researchers Identify Mechanism Involved in Causing Cataracts in Mice

A team of scientists has established that a breakdown in communication between two biochemical pathways in the eye is involved in causing cataracts.
2 young boys hold balls and smile at the camera

NIH study provides clarity on supplements for protection against blinding eye disease

Adding omega-3 fatty acids did not improve a combination of nutritional supplements commonly recommended for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of vision loss among older Americans.
National Eye Institute logo.

Targeting cholesterol buildup in eye may slow age-related vision loss

Targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye might help prevent a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of blindness in older Americans.
National Eye Institute logo.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Eyes Against Retinopathy, Study Finds

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against the development and progression of retinopathy, a deterioration of the retina, in mice. This is the major finding of a study that appears in the July 2007 issue of the journal Nature Medicine.
National Eye Institute logo.

Nuevo estudio clínico a nivel nacional evaluarí el efecto de los antioxidantes y el aceite de pescado para prevenir el avance de la degeneracin macular relacionada con la edad

Aproximadamente 100 centros clínicos están buscando 4.000 personas entre las edades de 50 a 85 años
National Eye Institute logo.

New Nationwide Study Will Evaluate Effect of Antioxidants and Fish Oil on Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Nearly 100 Clinical Centers Are Now Seeking 4,000 Study Participants Ages 50-85 Who Have AMD
capsules

Review Supports Vitamin E Dosage in AREDS

NEI researchers have concluded that taking a recommended 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E each day, as part of the AREDS formulation, does not increase the risk of death of persons at risk for advanced AMD.
Fundus photograph of age-related macular degeneration showing drusen.

Antioxidant Vitamins and Zinc Reduce Risk of Vision Loss from Age-Related Macular Degeneration

High levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss.