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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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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.
Female shown from overhead standing with her eye open receiving OCT scan.

NEI-funded technology promises to broaden access to retinal scanning

A National Eye Institute-funded project at Duke University has yielded a fully automated optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that does not require a trained operator and promises to broaden access to retinal imaging technology.
Cells with red nuclei and long green processes

Scientists unravel the function of a sight-saving growth factor

Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have determined how certain short protein fragments, called peptides, can protect neuronal cells found in the light-sensing retina layer at the back of the eye.
Slice of OCT image hovers over 3D segmentation of retinal cells

AI Spots Individual Neurons in the Eye Better than Human Experts

A new combination of optical coherence tomography (OCT), adaptive optics and deep neural networks should enable better diagnosis and monitoring for neuron-damaging eye and brain diseases like glaucoma.
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.
photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells are shown on a video playbutton.

An artificial retina engineered from ancient protein heads to space

LambdaVision, the Farmington, Connecticut-based biotech firm that developed the artificial retina, is exploring optimizing production of an artificial retina in space, in a series of missions to the International Space Station.
Image shows cone cells, labeled in red.

Turning back the clock on a severe vision disorder

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine report findings of a gene therapy to treat a severe form of Leber congenital amaurosis, caused by mutations in the NPHP5 gene.

Preventive treatment reduces diabetic retinopathy complications

Early treatment with anti-VEGF injections slowed diabetic retinopathy in a clinical study from the DRCR Retina Network (DRCR.net). However, two years into the four-year study its effect on vision was similar to standard treatment.
Grey scale electron microscopy image of human retinal cells.

New genetic links found to rare eye disease, opening the door to better diagnostics and potential treatments

NEI-funded research at Scripps Research Institute has turned up more than a dozen gene variants linked to MacTel, a rare eye disease. The variants are likely causing the condition to develop and worsen for a significant share of patients.

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