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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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67 items
Colorful confocal image of endothelial cells and microglia

New treatment targets found for blinding retinal disease

When the eye isn’t getting enough oxygen in the face of common conditions like premature birth or diabetes, it can result in blindness. Scientists have identified new points where they may be able to enable recovery.
Rods and cones: Photoreceptors in a human retina

Researchers Find That Nicotinamide May Help Treat Fibrotic Eye Diseases and Mitigate Vision

Nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, can inhibit aggressive cell transformations during wound healing and may be key to the development of therapies to treat fibrotic eye diseases that impair vision.

Four in 10 US Adults Are at High Risk for Vision Loss

In 2017, approximately 93 million US adults aged 18 years or older, or about 4 in 10, were at high risk for vision loss, according to a new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Mouse retinal blood vessels

‘Primitive’ Stem Cells Shown to Regenerate Blood Vessels in The Eye

Researchers turn back the biological hands of time, making adult cells revert to a primitive state with the potential to replace and repair retinal blood vessels.
Blood vessels in the retina

Helper protein worsens diabetic eye disease

In a recent study using mice, lab-grown human retinal cells and patient samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they found evidence of a new pathway that may contribute to degeneration of the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
Grantee News

Joslin Researchers Uncover Protective Factor in Diabetic Eye Disease

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have shown that a protein found in the eye can protect against and potentially treat diabetic eye disease.
Patients in the trial were closely monitored for changes in vision, said Carl W. Baker, M.D. (left). During the 2-year study, the detection of 2 lines of visual acuity loss at one visit or 1 line of visual acuity loss at two consecutive visits prompted aflibercept injections to be given to the people in the laser or observation groups. Photo credit: Brooksie Beard

Watchful Waiting Reasonable for Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema and Good Vision

People with good vision despite having center-involved diabetic macular edema can safely forego immediate treatment of their eye condition as long as they are closely monitored, and treatment begins promptly if vision worsens, according to clinical trial.
Grantee News

Experimental Drug Delivers One-Two Punch to Vision Loss

In studies with lab-grown human cells and in mice, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have found that an experimental drug may be twice as good at fighting vision loss as previously thought.
Grantee News

Eye conditions provide new lens for screening for Alzheimer’s

Researchers from the University of Washington find link between certain eye conditions and the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
patient and doctor smiling

Participation in clinical trials improves diabetes care

The development of new therapies and cures would be impossible without patients volunteering for clinical research studies.