Scientists Closer to Developing ‘Artificial Retina’

“The loss of eyesight, often caused by retinal degeneration, is a life-altering health issue for many people, especially as they age,” notes Science Digest. “But a new development toward a prosthetic retina could help counter conditions that result from problems with this crucial part of the eye.” Read more.

Cup of Joe Keeps Retinal Degeneration Away

“Coffee drinkers, rejoice! Aside from java's energy jolt, food scientists say you may reap another health benefit from a daily cup of joe: prevention of deteriorating eyesight and possible blindness from retinal degeneration due to glaucoma, aging and diabetes,” says a Science Digest post. “Raw coffee is, on average, just 1 percent caffeine, but it contains 7 to 9 percent chlorogenic acid (CLA), a strong antioxidant that prevents retinal degeneration in mice, according to a Cornell study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (December 2013).” Read more.

Exercise Slows Retinal Degeneration

"Moderate aerobic exercise helps to preserve the structure and function of nerve cells in the retina after damage, according to an animal study," reports Science Daily. "The findings suggest exercise may be able to slow the progression of retinal degenerative diseases." Read more.

Researchers Model Optogenetic Vision

“For a few years now, optogenetics has been seen as a very promising therapy for progressive blindness, for example when it is a result of retinal degeneration,” notes Science Daily. “In order to further develop this therapeutic approach, Marion Mutter and project leader Dr. Thomas Münch of the Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN) and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) at the University of Tübingen have developed a computer model that simulates optogenetic vision. The research has been published in the November 27 issue of PLOS ONE.” Read more.