Researchers identify a key protein in Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a protein, ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6), which is crucial for the development of diabetic retinopathy. Published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, they identified a compound, NAV-2729, which inhibits or blocks ARF6, reducing the chances of development of diabetic retinopathy.

Genetic testing as basis for screening of children at elevated risk for Retinoblastoma

Children who are at risk of developing retinoblastoma should receive genetic counseling and testing as soon as possible to clarify risk for the disease, as per the panel of leading ophthalmologists, pathologists and geneticists, who developed the first U.S. guidelines on how to screen for the most common eye tumor affecting children. The goal of these guidelines is to ensure that the ocular cancer is detected at the earliest, giving a chance to the ophthalmologists who deal with these patients the best chance to save lives and vision in these children.

Eyes in people with dyslexia may have symmetrical eyes

The eyes of people who read with ease have asymmetrical retinas and also transmit visual information to the brain asymmetrically, according to a report in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The eyes of people with dyslexia, on the other hand, appear to be physically and functionally symmetrical.

FDA to soon decide approval for Spark Therapeutics' gene therapy for Leber Congenital Amaurosis

In the next few days, FDA panel will consider whether to advice approval for gene therapy for Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), which has been extensively tested in clinical trials by Spark Therapeutics.

Gene therapy shows promise for reversing blindness

In a laboratory study in Oxford, researchers have shown how it might be possible to reverse blindness using gene therapy to reprogram cells at the back of the eye to become light sensitive.

Stem-cell derived retina found to improve vision in monkeys with RP

Researchers at the RIKEN Institute in Japan have succeeded in growing human embryonic stem cell-derived retina (hESC-retina) and transplanting that tissue into the retinas of rhesus monkeys with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Three weeks after the treatment, visual tests on two of the monkeys found their vision had improved.

Ranibizumab Found Effective Against Diabetic Retinopathy

In a randomized clinical trial conducted by DRCR.net of more than 300 participants, researchers have found that ranibizumab is an effective alternative to Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) (laser therapy for treating diabetic retinopathy). Results also show that the drug therapy carries fewer side effects than the currently used laser treatment.