Image Credit: University of Southern California (USC) Eye Institute Over the last two decades CIRM has supported research and helped advance potential treatments for macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness. Early grants One of the earliest was a 2007 SEED grant to David Hinton, MD, of the University of Southern California (USC). … Continue reading A CIRM-funded therapy for macular degeneration
Vision loss
CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $50.1 million to fund clinical-stage research projects to advance stem cell and gene therapy treatments for conditions ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to blood cancers, HIV/AIDS, and vision loss. The awards will support six projects in the Agency’s clinical program, which funds eligible stem cell and gene therapy-based projects … Continue reading CIRM invests $50 million in clinical research, including trial for vision loss
Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. New research using 3D organoid models of the eye has uncovered clues about what happens in AMD and how to stop it. In AMD, a person loses their central vision because the light-sensitive cells in the macula, a part of the … Continue reading Lab-made retinas offer a new approach to battling vision loss
Stem cells help researchers create genetic blueprint for glaucoma
Scientists are using stem cells to create a detailed genetic blueprint of glaucoma, offering a powerful new way to study and target the disease. Leading cause of blindness Glaucoma is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. Current treatments only slow its progression, and researchers have long lacked safe ways to study the retinal ganglion … Continue reading Stem cells help researchers create genetic blueprint for glaucoma
Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
We spend about one‑third of our lives sleeping—or at least we should. Not getting enough sleep can have serious health consequences and is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Sleep deprived A study by the American Sleep Apnea Association found that 70 percent of Americans report too little sleep at least one … Continue reading Study shows sleep deprivation impairs stem cells in the cornea
How a tiny patch is helping restore lasting vision
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Researchers are working on a stem cell-based retinal implant that could be used for people with with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. (Photo/ Britney O. Pennington) When Anna Kuehl began losing her vision, she feared losing the ability to read and go on long walks in … Continue reading How a tiny patch is helping restore lasting vision
Reprogramming brain cells to restore vision after a stroke
THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST About one third of stroke survivors experience vision loss. It can be a devastating side effect as most patients will not fully recover their vision and there are currently no reliable treatments available. But thanks to a collaborative effort by two teams of researchers from Purdue … Continue reading Reprogramming brain cells to restore vision after a stroke
National Academy of Medicine honors CIRM Grantees
As someone who doesn’t always send birthday cards on time, I’m used to offering belated congratulations. So I have no shame in sending them now to four CIRM grantees elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2020. I say four, but it’s really three and a half. I’ll explain why in a moment. Being … Continue reading National Academy of Medicine honors CIRM Grantees
How regrowing tiny hairs could restore hearing loss
Man getting fitted with hearing aids Hearing loss is something that affect tens of millions of Americans. Usually people notice those changes as they get older but the damage can be done years before that through the use of some prescription drugs or exposure to loud noise (I knew I shouldn’t have sat in the … Continue reading How regrowing tiny hairs could restore hearing loss
CIRM funded trial for AMD shows promising results
This upcoming July is healthy vision month, a time to remember the importance of making vision and eye health a priority. It's also a time to think about the approximately 12 million people, 40 and over in the United States, that have a vision impairment. Vision can be something that many of us take for … Continue reading CIRM funded trial for AMD shows promising results