Retina News

Luxturna: A Gene Therapy Reviving Retinal Cells in Children with Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Submitted by kaelynchang on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 21:21

Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) is an inherited retinal ciliopathy that affects the eyes, causing severe vision loss at birth. Children with LCA may experience complete blindness, repetitive, uncontrolled eye movements, and slow or absent pupillary responses. Additionally, individuals with LCA are subjected to severely impaired acuity of vision, eye discomfort in bright light, and extreme farsightedness. These impairments function together in the resulting overall loss of vision.

Cosmetic products linked to mercury poisoning, which may facilitate blindness

Submitted by ryanthien on Sun, 02/26/2023 - 23:57

Last month, a CNN article reported that a Minnesota woman lost part of her vision, presumably as a result of using cosmetic products which contained higher amounts of mercury than expected. Scientists have long understood that higher exposure to the toxic chemical can facilitate mercury poisoning, but they were unaware of its potential implications on vision and optical health as related components of the poisoning.

Bioprinting emerges in retinal applications at the NIH

Submitted by ryanthien on Sat, 02/04/2023 - 00:04

3D-printed applications in biology and medicine have risen dramatically in recent years, thanks in part to the preceding rapid advancements in 3D printing technology. In fact, in December 2022, researchers transplanted a 3D-printed ear constructed from stem cells into a woman who has microtia, a condition where a person’s ear may be partially or entirely missing.

Behcet's Disease

Submitted by jacksonn1 on Mon, 01/30/2023 - 19:09

Behcet’s Disease (BD), or Silk Road Disease, is s systemic vascular disease that affects many different organ systems in the body. It generally causes an inflammation of blood vessels in the body, which can lead to various symptoms. It is commonly seen as a triad of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, and ocular disease. The overall cause of this disease is unknown, but some speculate that it is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks itself.

Retinal Cells Created in the Lab

Submitted by kaelynchang on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 11:06

As the light-sensitive layer at the very back of our eye, the retina is responsible for converting light that enters the eye into information that the brain can understand. The cells in our retina play an essential role in our ability to see colors, visualize shapes, and process light.

Is SMILE for me?

Submitted by ryanthien on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 23:21

When most people think of optical surgery, the only procedure that comes to mind is LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) surgery, a procedure where a laser is used to reshape the cornea of your eye (the dome portion).