Detecting & Fixing Eye Diseases
In eye diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration and Leber congenital amaurosis, things are going on in the cellular level that occur before anything is detected by way of a test or observation. It would be great if these changes could be detected sooner and if there was a way to stop the deterioration […]
When the Rods & Cones Need Fixing
The rods and cones in the retina do a lot work when it comes to vision. Rods are sensitive to changes in light and dark, as well as shape in movement. Cones are sensitive to one of three colors, red, green and blue, and can detect fine details. If the rods and cones aren’t working […]
Advances in Bionic Vision
If you are of a certain age, you will remember a television show from the 1970s called “Six Million Dollar Man”. The show was about an Air Force Colonel Steve Austin who is seriously injured when a spaceship he is testing crashes. He then has surgery where he receives bionic legs, a bionic left arm […]
The Genes Have It
Genetic research has revealed many things about eye diseases. Two studies in particular have revealed how gene variants in inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa, lead to these diseases and how gene therapy can help preserve vision. Whole-Genome Sequences Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and at Shiley […]
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 […]
Stopping Degeneration in its Tracks Part One
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of rare genetic disorders that leads to the loss of retina cells. Symptoms include difficulty seeing at night or in low light conditions and the loss of peripheral vision. Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that blurs the central vision that you need for reading and driving. Both disorders are […]
Immune System & Eye Disease: More than Meets the Eye
Having an immune system is a good thing. It deals with bacteria and viruses, so that either we don’t get sick or if we do, our body fights them off and, for the most part, sickness isn’t fatal. Sometimes our immune system doesn’t work the way we want it to. That can range from an […]
Regeneration in the Retina
The human body has an amazing ability to heal itself. If you get a paper cut, the cut heals in seven to ten days. If you get a bruise, it heals within two to four weeks. If you get a broken bone, it takes three to ten weeks to heal. An injury to the retina […]
Eye Diseases by Ethnic Group
It is well known that certain diseases, such as diabetes can lead to glaucoma and exposure from high energy visible light (also known as blue light) can damage the macular pigment in the eye. What many don’t know is that some ethnic groups are at higher risk of vision conditions, regardless of exposure to difference […]
New Ways to Treat Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina. Symptoms first appear in childhood and include difficulty getting around in the dark and having a hard time adjusting to changes from light to dark. This in turn leads to problems such as loss of […]