Eyes in Motion: Decoding the Relationship Between Vision, Movement, and Neural Processing
As we walk from Point A to Point B, be it from the living room to the kitchen or down a busy street, our eyes take in a great deal of information. Despite our bodies being in motion, we are able to focus on the end destination and navigate to the destination without much of […]
Thin Retinas & Metabolites
When it comes to glaucoma, early detection leads to early treatment, and the sooner treatment is started, the greater the likelihood that vision can be preserved. The usual way that glaucoma is detected is by measuring pressure inside the eye. High pressure is a sign of increased glaucoma risk and it is the only symptom […]
Unveiling the Secrets of Vision: Insights into Photoreceptors and Future Treatments
The photoreceptors in the eye are responsible for vision. There are two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. Rods are responsible for vision in low level light and they have little to do with color vision. Cones function in bright light and are vital for color vision. Vision loss occurs when the photoreceptors aren’t working. […]
From Eye Fluid to Gene Therapies: Insights from Ocular Research
We’re all getting older and despite how well we take care of ourselves, aches, pains and generally not being as spry as we used to be, make themselves known. What about our eyes? What can be done at the cellular level to keep our vision in tip-top shape and treat eye disease? First, you need […]
The Novel & The Familiar
Have you ever wondered what happens in our brains that allows us not only to see, but also to recognize what is familiar and novel? Scientists have pondered this question, as well. Two research projects have studied this, and here is what scientists have learned. How Vision Contributes Working Memory Working memory involves briefly retaining […]
Eyesight Enhanced: Advancements in Bionic Implants and Eye Drops
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were fixes for vision diseases, such as macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion, that could maintain vision, and in some cases improve vision—not just keep the disease from getting worse? Well, wouldn’t you know it, research done at Stanford University and Columbia University, showed that it is possible to […]
Harnessing Stem Cells and Antibodies for Eye Disease Treatment
There are treatments that are pharmaceutical based and there are treatments that are based on cells and molecules already in the human body. Two research projects, one at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and one at the University of California, Irvine, are utilizing stem cells and antibodies, respectively, to treat eye diseases. Stem Cells to the […]
Understanding Glaucoma & Myopia
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss. Pressure builds up in the eye, and if the fluid in the eye doesn’t drain fast enough, the pressure can damage the optic nerve. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 3 million people in the U.S have glaucoma and […]
Always Something to Learn
Studying nonhuman eye tissue can lead to insight into how vision develops and the mechanisms that make vision possible. Sometimes, this research leads to new tools or it uncovers novel cellular processes in the eye. Two research projects, one at New York University (NYU) discovered new cells types in the visual system of fruit flies, […]
Insights into Attention and Memory: Understanding the Science Behind Focus
I remember my elementary school teachers admonishing my classmates and me not to watch television while we did our homework. The reasons given were: 1) We ended up paying more attention to the program than our homework. Of course, there were those who did their homework during the commercial breaks. 2) Our homework ended up […]