Ultrasonic Bracelet Helps Blind People Navigate

Based on the resonance location system (echo) used by bats and dolphins to navigate, Marco Antonio Trujillo Tejeda and Cuauhtli Padilla Arias, mechatronic engineers from the Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, devised a bracelet that makes mobility simpler and safer for the blind.

Ocular treatment likely to become first Gene Therapy approved in US

(c) nature.com

Spark Therapeutics has announced positive results from the Phase 3 pivotal trial of its lead gene therapy product candidate, SPK-RPE65, for the treatment of RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs). These results represent the first successful randomized, controlled Phase 3 trial ever completed in gene therapy for a genetic disease.

AMD likely to be more in people with deficient vitamin D status

A multi-institutional team reports that vitamin D may play a significant role in eye health, specifically in the possible prevention of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, among women who are more genetically prone to developing the sight-damaging disease.

In a paper published in JAMA Ophthalmology online, the team found that women who are deficient in vitamin D and have a specific high-risk genotype are 6.7 times more likely to develop AMD than women with sufficient vitamin D status and no high risk genotype.

Clinical Trial utilizing optogenetics to start for Retinitis Pigmentosa soon

(c) nature.com

RetroSense Therapeutics’ Investigational New Drug (IND) application for gene therapy based clinical trial for their product RST-001 has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration. RetroSense is developing RST-001 for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic condition that leads to the progressive degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors (cells found in the retina that sense light), resulting in severe vision loss and blindness. With its IND now in effect, RetroSense expects to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial by year-end in order to evaluate the safety and, potentially, efficacy of RST-001.

Microglia - a 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 by researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that they also accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

World's first-ever braille tablet has been developed

The first-ever braille tablet has been developed, using a new liquid-based technology to create tactile relief outputting braille, graphics and maps for the blind and partially sighted.

Berkeley Architect sustains his vision despite blindness

Oh, that we could see as clearly as blind architect Chris Downey. Leading his UC Berkeley seminar students to equitable, barrier-eliminating design solutions or consulting on a 170,000-square-foot blind rehab center at the Veterans Affairs center in Palo Alto or filling the stroke seat on his East Bay Rowing Club team, the 52-year-old Piedmont architect and teacher says he lacks sight, but is not without vision.

Tablet computers for the blind in development

Is Braille on the way out? Do we have enough interest in teaching Braille to visually impaired students? Considering some of the subject matter cannot be explained to them by voice, are there any attempts to make this means of communication more accessible via smartphones and technology in the current age? Surprising to some, there are attempts being made to develop this technology to help the visually impaired students.

Intas launches RAZUMAB, the first biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab)

Intas Pharmaceuticals has launched RAZUMAB, its biosimilar to Lucentis (ranibizumab).

Students in Birmingham develop a smart cane for the blind

A revolutionary ‘smart’ cane enabling the visually impaired to instantly identify friends and family could be available soon, thanks to students at Birmingham City University.

Scleral thinning seen following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections

Research conducted at the University Hospital in Bern, Switzerland suggests that scleral changes may occur in patients following repeated intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents in the same quadrant.

Converting rods into cones in a model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) rescues retinal degeneration

Heritable retinal degeneration is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness, affecting millions of people worldwide. Many research groups have focused on targeted gene therapy as a treatment for these diseases. However, inherited retinal diseases can be caused by mutations in any one of more than 200 genes, and the pathogenic mechanisms of various mutations differ greatly. This was the motivating factor in the work by Dr James C Corbo and his team at the Washington University School of Medicine to develop gene-independent therapies that would be more widely applicable. This work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Blind candidates to get extra 20 minutes per hour in HPSC exams

Coming to the aid of a blind candidate, the state commissioner for persons with disabilities has directed the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) to give additional 20 minutes per hour to blind candidates appearing in competitive examinations conducted by the Commission.

Study challenges conventional wisdom that sight-based brain sensory network is impaired with blindness

Is visual input essential to how the topographical map of the visual cortex develops in the human brain? In a new research, scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and those from in Germany and USA, show that the way in which the brain organizes its visual sense remains intact even in people who are blind from birth.

New clinical trial utilizing stem cells for retinitis pigmentosa

ReNeuron has announced that it has filed application with the US FDA to commence Phase I/II clinical trial in the US with its stem cell therapy candidate for the blindness-causing disease, retinitis pigmentosa. The clinical trial will be evaluating its human Retinal Progenitor Cell therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa.

New development in the race to bring bionic eye closer to patients

A French company called Pixium Vision is testing a system called Iris that promises to improve the vision of the blind.

A major advance in gene therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa

A paper published in Nature Communications sheds light on why, until now, it has not been possible to effectively restore vision in rd1 mice – the world’s major model for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This research also demonstrates how a particular type of mutation in this mice was the cause of failure of previous gene therapy attempts.

Legally Blind Mom Sees New Baby With Special Eyewear

A specialized piece of eyewear gave a legally blind woman from Ontario, Canada, the opportunity to do something that new parents may take granted — see her baby hours after his birth.

Results from AREDS-2 clinical trial & what it means for you

Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and Age-related Eye Diseases Study-2 (AREDS-2) were landmark studies in providing a clue to show benefit from nutritional supplements. The article below, from Retina India's newsletter from 2013, is still relevant today to patients of Age-related macular degeneration.

Students build sonar based watch for helping the blind to navigate

When a biologist who studies bats and a computer scientist cross paths, amazingly cool things can happen. Cool things such as a sonar device to assist the visually impaired.

Does a full vision restoration happen after treatment from being blind from birth?

A partial restoration of sight is possible in individuals blind from birth, thanks to the most recent advances in research. However, a group of researchers of the Mind/Brain Center of the University of Trento and of the University of Montréal in Canada have discovered that the functional reorganization of the brain happens in individuals who, for a long period, experienced a long sense deprivation, which could potentially impede complete sight restoration.

Delhi University developing mathematical kits for visually impaired kids

To make solving numerical problems less taxing for visually-impaired students, Delhi University is developing specialised 'mathematical kits' which will make it much easier for them to study the subject. The varsity plans to carry out a campaign across the country during which students and teachers will visit various blind schools where it will distribute the kits to the students and conduct workshops to teach them how to use it.

Poor Avastin responders in AMD & DME may have increased risk to obstructive sleep apnea

from Wikipedia

Poor responders to Bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) may have increased risk to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). To read more, click here.