Treating Age-Related Macular Degeneration before Decline in Visual Impairment

A retrospective analysis from data in a study from Japan indicates that initiating anti-vascular endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) treatment before best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) declines and advanced lesions develop would afford better visual outcomes for eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They also found that eyes with a relatively good initial BCVA, such as < 0.3 in logMAR (Snellen 20/40), and without fibrovascular PED would achieve sustained or improved BCVA after anti-VEGF treatment within 3 years of follow-up. 

Cholesterol and diabetes drugs may lessen risk of degenerative eye disease of aging

Regular use of drugs to lower cholesterol and control type 2 diabetes may lessen the risk of age related macular degeneration, a degenerative eye disease that is associated with aging. This is a finding from a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, which has been published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

The results show that these common drugs are linked to lower prevalence of AMD in European populations.

Blinding eye disease is strongly associated with heart disease and stroke

(c) Ophthalmology Retina

Patients with a specific form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the United States, are at significant risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke, according to new research from New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. This study, published in the July issue of Retina, is the first to demonstrate a link between the disorders.

Smart LED Contact Lenses for Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

(c) POSTECH

A team of scientists from Pohang University of Science and Technology in #SouthKorea and their collaborators have recently developed a smart contact lens-type wearable device to prevent diabetic retinopathy and treat it in its early stages.

A new type of Gene Therapy demonstrates the potential to treat Blindness

(c) Veronique Juvin, Sciartwork

Doctors have been able to use a form of gene therapy described as optogenetics for the first time to restore partial vision in a blind person. The research team genetically altered retinal ganglion cells to become light-sensitive in a man whose vision was destroyed by retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder that breaks down cells that absorb and convert light into brain signals.

Evidence of Retinal damage may indicate increased risk of Stroke and Dementia

(c) Progress in Retinal & Eye Research

Pictures of the retina may someday provide early warning signs that a person is at an increased risk of stroke and dementia, making it possible to take preventive measures, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2021. 

New Study links Alzheimer's disease to Age-related Macular Degeneration

(c) Cells [link below]

Newly published research has revealed a close link between proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and age-related sight loss. The findings could open the way to new treatments for patients with deteriorating vision and through this study, the scientists believe they could reduce the need for using animals in future research into blinding conditions.