The Eye’s Immune Secrets
The eye is unique in that it doesn’t follow the usual path when it comes to immune response. One scenario involves a specific protein that regulates the vascular barrier. This in turn weakens a signaling system, it lower levels of another protein and this can damage protective barriers in the brain and eyes. Another scenario […]
Treating Vision Disorders Through Science
The brain and eyes work together to give us vision. If something in the brain’s visual cortex isn’t working properly, due to either a Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) or a concussion, vision is affected. Since the eyes work normally, these kinds of vision issues don’t show up as a result of a standard eye exam. […]
Connections & Re-Wirings
The human visual system isn’t complete when a baby is born. It develops as a baby sees things. How does that happen? Also, as vision fails due to eye disease, how do the retinal neurons react? Two research projects studied these phenomena and their findings provided more information on how the eye and brain work […]
Restoring Vision Pathways
In medical circles, the eyes are considered the front of the brain, and it is the interaction between the eyes and the brain that is responsible for vision. When something isn’t working correctly in either the eyes or the brain, vision is impaired. What are the brain circuits responsible for visual acuity? Also, is there […]
Light & Drops for Dry AMD
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 19 million people age 40 and over in the U.S. have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Treatments include injections to slow the progression of the disease or the use of Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) vitamins, which include vitamins C, E, Zinc and other supplements. […]
Inside the Visual System
There’s more to vision than meets the eye. Research has shown that the neurological processes that lead to vision are more involved than previously thought. Work at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that neurons in the brain’s visual system add and shed synapses at a fast […]
Migraines & Vision
One of the symptoms of a migraine is an aura. This entails changes in vision that precede a migraine attack. Like many medical conditions, research is taking place to learn more about the condition and possible treatments. Also, there are products that can offer relief from light sensitivity that accompanies a migraine. Response to Visual […]
Innovations in AMD Research
Biomedical research has led to both increased knowledge of many diseases and treatments that improve outcomes for patients. This includes research into age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Scientists at the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and Washington University at St. Louis have developed separate techniques that can lead to improved treatments for this disease. Scientists at […]
Inflammation, Immunity & The Eye
The eye is such that it needs to regulate both the immune and inflammation response in order to prevent visual impairment and blindness. Still, inflammation, infections and diseases occur. What mechanisms are in the eye that allow it to fight infection and is there a way to improve the immune response without damaging vision? Research […]
Some Drops & Some Gold
Retinitis Pigmentosa, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy—they are all retinal diseases, and they can all lead to blindness. Thankfully, there are treatments that can manage the symptoms and slow the progression of these diseases. Can anything else be done to slow the progression? And more importantly, can anything be done to restore vision—not just maintain […]