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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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A diagram of the eye with a green arrow showing how fluid normally passes through the space between the iris and the cornea and drains out of the eye back into the bloodstream.

A new treatment for glaucoma?

A Northwestern Medicine study in mice has identified new treatment targets for glaucoma, including preventing a severe pediatric form of glaucoma, as well as uncovering a possible new class of therapy for the most common form of glaucoma in adults.

Toxic DNA Buildup May Drive Macular Degeneration

Damaging DNA builds up in the eyes of patients with geographic atrophy, an untreatable, poorly understood form of age-related macular degeneration that causes blindness, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals.

Novel approach reverses amblyopia in animals

By temporarily suspending retinal activity in the non-amblyopic eye of animal models, neuroscientists restrengthened the visual response in the amblyopic eye, even at ages after the critical period when patch therapy fails.

University of Oregon researchers develop gene therapy for eye disease

Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that could eventually provide an alternative treatment for Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy, a genetic eye disease affecting roughly one in 2,000 people globally.
Neurons (green) and their supporting astrocytes (red), created in a petri dish from stem cells.

Cell-replacement Therapies for Visual System Disorders

Two translational studies at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute are targeting photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) to restore vision through regeneration of the retina. The research is funded by the NEI Audacious Goals Initiative.
OCT image of a retina

New biomarkers may detect early eye changes that can lead to diabetes-related blindness

New biomarkers found in the eyes could unlock the key to helping manage diabetic retinopathy, and perhaps even diabetes, according to new research conducted at the Indiana University School of Optometry.
Two boys smile at camera. Dark spot in center of image represents vision loss from AMD.

HtrA1 augmentation is potential therapy for age-related macular degeneration

Research from the University of Utah explains why people with genetic variants may develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and identifies a potential therapeutic pathway for slowing disease progression.
eye anatomy graphic

Melanoma of the eye: preclinical tests show path toward treatment

Researchers at UAB have discovered a small molecule inhibitor that dampens the potent drivers of uveal melanoma.
Photoreceptor precursor cells (red) are shown with extended axons toward bipolar cells.

Audacious projects develop imaging technology to aid eye tissue regeneration

As regenerative therapies for blinding diseases move closer to clinical trials, the NEI's functional imaging consortium is pioneering noninvasive technologies to monitor the function of the retina’s neurons and their connections to the brain.

Micro-molded ‘ice cube tray’ scaffold is next step in returning sight to injured retinas

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have developed a micro-molded scaffolding photoreceptor “patch” designed to be implanted under a damaged or diseased retina.