Retinal imaging may provide early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Dr. Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui (c) Cedas-Sinai

Preliminary results indicate that a device that has been conceived at Cedars-Sinai and developed by NeuroVision Imaging, may provide highly predictive early detection of changes associated with Alzheimer's disease 15 to 20 years before clinical diagnosis.

Nanotechnology breakthrough will lead to a better artificial retina for visually impaired

(c) American Chemical Society

 
Scientists from Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers in collaboration with colleagues from Tel Aviv University and Newcastle University, have developed a new light-sensitive film that could one day form the basis of a prosthetic retina to help people suffering from retinal damage or degeneration.

Eyedrops in development for treating conditions such as AMD and Diabetic macular edema

Eye drops are being developed for treating retina that will likely eliminate the need to inject compounds to the back of the eye in conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

From Scifluor

AMD supplements may not contain ingredients as per AREDS & AREDS2 study recommendations

from NEI

Researchers have found that most best-selling products advertised to slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration do not follow the proven AREDS formula, as per the paper published in the journal Ophthalmology.

Clinical trial for autologous bone marrow stem cells as treatment for AMD & RP shows promise

A phase 1 clinical trial utilizing human bone marrow CD34+ stem cells for patients with retinal vascular occlusion, hereditary or non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has shown safety and feasibility.

New treatment potential for babies with Retinopathy of Prematurity

A gene known to play a major role in constricting blood vessels also appears to be a major player in the aberrant blood vessel growth that can destroy the vision of premature babies such as in Retinopathy of Prematurity and possibly in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Rosemary may have a beneficial effect for patients with Age-related macular degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa

Scientists at the Del E Web Center for Neuroscience, Aging, and Stem Cell Research, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, have found that carnosic acid (CA), present in rosemary extract, may potentially have clinical application to diseases affecting the outer retina, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

The human eye can see ‘invisible’ infrared light - possible applications in retinal disease diagnoses

All this while, we have been under the impression that our eyes cannot 'see' infrared light. Like the other waves in the invisible spectrum, X-rays and radio waves, infrared light waves were considered to outside our capacity to visualize...that is, until now.

Amarantus Applies for Orphan Drug Designation for MANF in treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ophthalmological disorders, announced that it has applied to the Food & Drug Administration in the US for Orphan Drug Designation for MANF (mesencephalic-astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Retinal Pigment Epithelial cells derived from stem cells show positive long term results

Since they were first derived more than three decades ago, embryonic stem cells have been proposed as a source of replacement cells in regenerative medicine, but their plasticity and unlimited capacity for self-renewal raises concerns about their safety, including tumour formation ability, potential immune rejection, and the risk of differentiating into unwanted cell types. We report the medium-term to long-term safety of cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) transplanted into patients.

Harvard and Astellas Pharma collboarate on gene therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Astellas Pharma Inc. has announced a research collaboration with Constance L Cepko, Ph.D., an investigator at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, focused on discovering the pathologic mechanism for retinitis pigmentosa and identification of  new therapeutic targets. Astellas and Harvard will work with the aim to provide a new treatment option with a view of a gene therapy, to retinitis pigmentosa patients who have difficulty maintaining good vision.  

Research could revolutionise treatment for eye conditions such as AMD

Patients with eye diseases have new hope after researchers at the University of Reading discovered a potential way of making eye drops more effective.

Typically, less than 5% of the medicine dose applied as drops actually penetrates the eye - the majority of the dose will be washed off the cornea by tear fluid and lost.

EYLEA gets FDA approval for wet AMD, Diabetic macular edema and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of Macular Edema following Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), which includes Macular Edema following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) in addition to the previously-approved indication of Macular Edema following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO). 

Native American Ancestry Associated With Severe Diabetic Retinopathy in Latinos

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness in working age adults. Studies have observed that Latinos have a higher prevalence of DR than whites. 

FDA approves Ozurdex for diabetic macular edema

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Allergan's Ozurdex (dexamethasone 0.7 mg, a sustained-release biodegradable intravitreal implant), for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). 

Is there any association between blood cadmium level and AMD?

Can we deduce the risk of developing AMD from the levels of Cadmium in the blood or urine? Is there any data that will help us understand this risk, if any?  

EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection Receives FDA Approval for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have announced that US FDA has approved EYLEA® (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). 

The recommended dosage of EYLEA in patients with DME is 2 milligrams (mg) every two months (8 weeks) after five initial monthly injections. Although EYLEA may be dosed as frequently as 2 mg every 4 weeks, additional efficacy was not demonstrated when EYLEA was dosed every 4 weeks compared to every 8 weeks.

EYLEA is the first VEGF inhibitor approved for dosing on a less than monthly basis for the treatment of DME. 

Retinal detachment and its symptoms

What is a retinal detachment (RD)?

Retina detachment signifies, in a general sense, separation of the retina from its normal position. 

What are the types of retinal detachment? 

There are usually three types of retinal detachment, with the fourth being a combination of the first three. 

1. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) - the most common type that occurs due to a retinal or a break in the retina, allowing vitreous fluid to move into the sub retinal space and separate the retina from its normal position. These are usually managed by simple surgical interventions such as a scleral buckle (a band placed on the outside of the eye) or by vitrectomy. 
2. Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) - Usually seen in patients with diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, these usually occur due to forced pulling in the retina due to growth of fibrous tissue inside the eye. They do not have a hole in the retina. Management of these detachments usually requires vitrectomy to release of these 'tractional' forces. 
3. Secondary or serous retinal detachment - usually occurs, as the name suggests, due to some other reason inside or outside the eye. This can be from a benign growth in the eye, to cancer somewhere else in the body. Management includes treatment for the primary condition.  

Risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in a Latino American Population

This study, conducted as part of the Latino Americans in Los Angeles County study, assessed the personal and demographic risk factors for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Latino Americans in Los Angeles County.

In this study, 729 subjects from Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center (LAC + USC), Los Angeles, CA were recruited prospectively from the Center and affiliated clinics between June 2008 and June 2011. Complete personal data and results from systemic and ophthalmic examinations were collected for all enrolled subjects. Laboratory tests such as glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine levels, and cholesterol levels were collected prospectively by drawing blood at the time of each patient's clinic visit. The main outcome measures were age, gender, type of diabetes mellitus (DM I or II), duration of diabetes mellitus, history of hypertension, history of insulin use, height, weight, and body mass index, smoking history, glycosylated hemoglobin, creatinine levels, and cholesterol levels.