NIH research points to microglia as potential therapeutic target in retinitis pigmentosa Spider-like cells inside the brain, spinal cord and eye hunt for invaders, capturing and then devouring them. These cells, called microglia, often play a beneficial role by helping to clear trash and protect the central nervous system against infection. But a new study [Read More]
News
Cheaper Substitute for Lucentis Developed in India
Intas Pharmaceuticals, a company based in India, has launched RAZUMAB™, an anti-VEGF drug that is “biosimilar” to Lucentis. This means that RAZUMAB has a synthesized chemical structure that can substitute for, but not duplicate, Lucentis. To make biosimilarity possible, scientists must show that the new product is highly similar and have no significant differences from [Read More]
New Device Helps Blind People See With Their Tongues
The Food and Drug Administration has announced marketing approval of a new device that can help orient people who are blind by helping them process visual images with their tongues. The BrainPort is a battery-powered device that includes a video camera mounted on a pair of glasses and a small, flat intra-oral device containing a [Read More]
Summary of Research and Development – 2015
by Dan Roberts (Also available in audiovisual format) INTRODUCTION This is my 10th annual summary of leading research and developments that have occurred during the past 12 months in the field of blindness and low vision. For more details about any of the reports, sources are provided. Many studies and clinical trials are moving ever [Read More]
L-DOPA May Slow Development of AMD
The color (pigmentation) of the retina, or lack thereof, is thought to play a role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The substance that provides pigmentation is melanin, and a precursor to the pigment melanin is called L-DOPA. Since L-DOPA converts into dopamine in the brain, it has been used as a treatment [Read More]