Macular Degeneration Research

A new therapeutic strategy for age-related macular degeneration

Dr Xinhua Shu at Glasgow Caledonian University is researching a new therapeutic strategy for age-related macular degeneration Read more

Environmental triggers for AMD development

Prof Glen Jeffery at University College London is investigating the role of immunity in preventing age-related macular degeneration. Read more

Investigating genetic changes in dry age-related macular degeneration

Dr Louise Porter - University of Liverpool is investigating the epigenetic changes associated with dry age-related macular degeneration Read more

The role inflammation plays in age-related macular degeneration

Dr Mei Chen at Queen’s University Belfast is investigating the role of SIGIRR in geographic atrophy type of age-related macular degeneration. A PhD project jointly funded by National Eye Research Centre and Fight for Sight. Read more

Latest

Seeing again after a Corneal Transplant

Margaret Hancock’s story illustrates why more funding is needed to bring about breakthrough eye treatments which can enhance the eye health of the nation.

Funding Programmes open to applications

Seed grants deadline: 30th November

First Stage major grants and PhD studentships deadline: 31st October

New drugs to treat mitochondrial optic neuropathies

A further study by Professor Marcela Votruba at Cardiff University is looking for sustained release formulations for new drugs to treat mitochondrial optic neuropathies

Identifying risk factors for retinal detachment

Dr Veronique Vitart at the University of Edinburgh is looking to identify genetic mutations that increase risk factors of retinal detachment.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the most common cause of sight loss amongst those of working age. Pressure is raised in the eye which damages the optic nerve and increasingly causes sight loss. New treatments, including improved eye drops and surgical techniques to reduce this pressure in the eye are being researched.

Age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a painless eye condition that leads to the gradual loss of central vision. Around 600,000 people in the UK currently have sight loss caused by AMD and around 70,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become less transparent. This results in cloudy or misty vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness globally but can be easily treated.

Uveitis

Uveitis is a leading cause of visual impairment in people of working age in the UK. It is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea or uveal tract.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome, or dry eye disease, is a common condition that occurs when the eyes don't make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to the eyes drying out and becoming red, swollen and irritated. Dry eye syndrome is also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Corneal Disease

The cornea is the clear tissue at the front of the eye that lets in light and helps focus it on the retina so that we can see. Disease or injury can make the cornea cloudy or distorted in shape, causing a loss of vision. A cornea transplant replaces diseased corneal tissue with a disc of healthy tissue from a donor.