Summary of Research and Development — 2018

Transcript of a presentation to the International Low Vision Support Group June 2018 Dan Roberts, Director Select this link for audio-visual format INTRODUCTION This is our 13th annual summary of leading research and developments occuring during the past 12 months in the fields of blindness and low vision. Sources for further information will appear beneath [Read More]

Müller Cells Might Be Re-programmed to Become Sight Cells

Degeneration of photoreceptors (rod and cone cells) is a leading cause of vision loss. Since there are no effective treatments to restore vision once photoreceptors are lost, photoreceptor regeneration has the very real prospect of alleviating blindness in these eyes. To that end, a recent innovative study has demonstrated the possibility of reprogramming Müller glial [Read More]

Mediterranean Diet Lowers Risk of AMD

Studies in France and the Netherlands have shown that a Mediterranean diet is linked to a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Researchers investigated the effects of such a diet on a large sample from subjects from two population-based prospective studies. The diet consists of more than median intakes of vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, [Read More]

Will Driverless Vehicles Be Accessible To The Visually Impaired?

by Dan Roberts Autonomous (driverless) vehicles are on the way. The technology is already in place, having been successfully tested for several years under every city and highway traveling condition. Many automakers report that their new cars are now being equipped for driverless operation, so the change-over will be easy when the time comes. And [Read More]

NIH Launches International Study of AMD Progression

Natural history investigation will deploy latest advances to identify biomarkers, targets for early therapy A new clinical study led by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, will follow 500 people over five years to learn more about the natural history of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). By using the [Read More]