Aqueous Humor and Nerve Degeneration Advances
In vision diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, once functional vision is lost, there is no way to restore it. That’s why adults between the ages of 18 to 65 are advised to have yearly eye exams. These exams can detect not only changes in vision but the first signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration […]
Genes & Nanoparticles: Innovations in Treatment Approaches
Numerous vision diseases, such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and, to a certain degree, diabetic retinopathy, have a genetic basis. Wouldn’t it be great to learn about the genetic makeup of these and other vision diseases so that treatments can start earlier, when they are most effective? Two research projects are studying both what is going […]
Bionic Vision: Sci-Fi to Reality
Science fiction provides some good examples of bionic vision. The main character in the 1970s television show, The Six Million Dollar Man, Steve Austin, had a bionic eye implanted, along with bionic limbs, after he was involved in a horrific crash of a test plane. This bionic eye had a zoom lens and could do […]
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 […]
Small Items, Big Impact
What do nanoparticles and small-molecule drugs have in common, other than the fact that they are small? They can both be used as therapeutics for vision. Nanoparticles can be used post-op to prevent the rejection of corneal grafts. Small-molecule drugs can be used for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. […]
Stopping the Damage From Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is damage to the blood vessels in the retina, and it is the leading cause of blindness for adults in the U.S. Since diabetes causes this and a host of other complications, scientists are working to learn more about what causes diabetic retinopathy in the hopes of developing treatments and […]
Reusing What Is Currently Available
Instead of buying new items, it is a good idea to reuse what you already have. For example, if you are going to ship something to a friend or relative who lives out of state, it is a good idea to re-use a box and packing materials from an item that you had shipped to […]
Prozac & Carbon Monoxide—Unlikely Items That Can Help Preserve Vision
You read correctly. Two separate studies have shown that the antidepressant Prozac and the gas that comes out of car and truck exhausts, carbon monoxide, can be used to preserve vision. Starting with Prozac, also known as fluoxetine, it may be effective against dry or atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Bradley D. Gelfand, PhD at […]
Stopping Degeneration in its Tracks Part Two
GARP2 and GARP1 aren’t the only things that can negatively affect vision. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) can lead to too many blood vessels in the eye, also known as neovascularization. This leads to vision loss in persons with diabetic retinopathy and plays a role in age-related macular degeneration. Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs […]
Preventing Vision Loss
The causes behind vision loss from conditions such a macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are complex and are not just one thing but a cascade of cellular and genetic actions that lead to blindness for millions of people. What if there was a way to stop the negative cascade from happening and preserve vision? Thanks […]