Is it possible for us humans to regenerate our eyes? Research points to a possibility.

(c) elifesciences.org

Damage to the retina is the leading cause of blindness in humans, affecting millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, the retina is one of the few tissues we humans can't grow back. 

Unlike us, other animals such as zebrafish are able to regenerate this tissue that's so crucial to our power of sight. We share 70 percent of our genes with these tiny little zebrafish, and scientists have just discovered some of the shared genes include the ones that grant zebrafish the ability to grow back their retinas.

COVID-19 and the Retina - how does this Coronavirus affect the back of the eye?

(c) Wikipedia

COVID-19 can affect the retina. Retinal vein diameter seems directly correlated with the disease severity. Its assessment could have possible applications in the management of COVID-19.

As the coronavirus pandemic evolves and spreads worldwide, more information emerges on how the virus affects the body. What was once a respiratory illness has now become a systemic infection, affecting multiple organs.

AI Algorithm Helps Screen COVID-10 patients based on Eye Images

(c) Yanwei Fu

Scientists describe a potential screening method for COVID-19 based on eye images analyzed by artificial intelligence. Scanning a set of images from several hundred individuals with and without COVID-19, the tool accurately diagnosed coronavirus infections more than 90 percent of the time, the developers reported in a preprint posted to medRxiv September 10.

New OCT technique offers better potential in retinal stem cell and gene therapy treatment

Researchers at the University of Washington have modified the standard process of OCT (optical coherence tomography) to detect minute changes in response to light in individual photoreceptors in the living eye. The technique has potential in the testing of therapies such as stem cells or gene therapy to treat retinal disease.

A healthy lifestyle for cardiovascular health also promotes good eye health

In a new study, investigators found that ideal cardiovascular health, which is indicative of a healthy lifestyle, was associated with lower odds for ocular diseases especially diabetic retinopathy. These findings appearing in the American Journal of Medicine, published by Elsevier, suggest that interventions to prevent cardiovascular diseases may also hold promise in preventing ocular diseases.

Retinal Vein Occlusion may be associated with increased risk of dementia

A study out of South Korea suggests that retinal vein occlusion (RVO) may be associated with increased risk of dementia. The coexistence of RVO with hypertension was found to be associated with a higher risk of dementia. In addition, RVO may be a predictor for dementia.

Researchers develop cell injection technique that could help reverse vision loss

University of Toronto Engineering researchers have developed a new method of injecting healthy cells into damaged eyes. The technique could point the way toward new treatments with the potential to reverse forms of vision loss that are currently incurable.