Research to Prevent Blindness

Study Links Aging Immune Cells and AMD

RPB-supported researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have published a new study suggesting that aging immune cells increase the risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of blindness in the United States.

The researchers found that as immune cells called macrophages age, they are more likely to contribute to the inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth that damage vision in AMD. According to one of the lead researchers on the study, which was published in the scientific journal JCI Insight, the findings could impact future treatment options.

Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, senior investigator on the study.

“Drug treatments for macular degeneration aren’t effective for some patients, who either have a minimal response or no response at all, and many patients continue to experience vision loss over the long term, even if they have a good initial response to treatment,” said senior investigator Rajendra S. Apte, MD, PhD, the Paul A. Cibis Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. “But by understanding what happens with the immune cells in the eye, it may be possible to develop therapies to help patients who can’t be helped with existing drugs.”

Read the full news article from WUSMSL

top

April 18, 2018

Feature Story

Macular Degeneration

Top Story

Related News: Feature Story, Macular Degeneration, Top Story

New Grants for Big Data Research to Improve Vision Care

Research to Prevent Blindness Opens Applications for Vision Research Grants

The awards offered cover a wide variety of topics in vision science, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinal diseases, and many more.

Vision Research Funding Partnership Event Takes Place Today

Leaders of organizations that fund vision research convene in Washington, D.C. to increase collaboration and maximize the impact of research funding for sight-threatening diseases.

Research to Prevent Blindness and Alcon Award Glaucoma Grant

Dr. Alex Huang of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine will study glaucoma filtration surgeries with the aim of improving surgical success for lowering eye pressure and providing neuroprotection.

Researchers Build An “Aging Clock” To Help Treat Eye Disease

The new way to measure ocular aging opens treatment avenues for numerous eye diseases.

Research to Prevent Blindness and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Award Big Data Research Grants for Improved Patient Care

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) today announced the 2023 recipients of the RPB/AAO Award for IRIS Registry Research.