Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ10vrZOclh/

Gently heating the back of the eye, the retina, by just a few degrees using near-infrared laser light can prevent the devastating loss of vision as the result of dry macular degeneration. This the finding by Finnish and Swedish neuroscientists in pig and mouse studies published in the journal Nature Communications.

This mild heat activates the eye’s natural repair and cleanup systems in the retinal pigment epithelial layer. It boosts protective heat shock proteins and triggers the processes cells use to remove damaged proteins and waste.

Dry age-related macular degeneration affects millions of older adults and is one of the leading causes of blindness. About one-third of people over age 80 develop macular degeneration. The disease is marked by the buildup of fatty protein deposits called drusen, which can damage the retina and gradually destroy central vision.

Instead of waiting until vision is lost, the researchers hope that this treatment proactively strengthens vulnerable retinal cells during the early stages of the disease by helping them repair damage and remove toxic waste material. Phase one human clinical trials are now beginning in Finland that focus on safety before testing whether the treatment can slow or stop disease progression.

The references for this report are available on my website.

#MacularDegeneration #EyeHealth #VisionLoss #HealthyAging #MedicalResearch