Research Updates

Made possible by visionary donors, Glaucoma Research Foundation’s latest research initiative targets the shared roots of conditions that occur when neurons deteriorate and die.

Dr. John G. Flanagan discusses recent discoveries that could cure glaucoma based on key research accomplishments from 20 years of Catalyst for a Cure.

Research paper summarizes the most important common elements that characterize progression in neurodegeneration and hope for new therapies to help patients with these devastating diseases.

This article summarizes published findings from Catalyst for a Cure (CFC1) research scientists and subsequent discoveries by Dr. Rebecca Sappington’s lab at Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.

Since 1980, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has presented a named lecture in honor of pioneering glaucoma specialist Robert N. Shaffer, MD in conjunction with their annual meeting.

Pilot project grants support new and promising ideas in the field of glaucoma research.

When Glaucoma Research Foundation first launched Catalyst for a Cure in 2002, our bold idea was to recruit the most promising young researchers from different fields to work collaboratively.

Xin Duan, PhD is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC San Francisco Weill Institute of Neuroscience, where in 2017 he received a Trailblazer Award in Neuroscience.

In this interview, we learn about Padhu’s extensive background, his research interests, and his personal passions.

Sayoko “Sy” Moroi is the Jerome Jacobson Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center.

Since 2019, the Catalyst for a Cure scientists have been working together in search of innovative ways to replace, repair, and protect neuronal elements of the eye-to-brain connection that can be damaged by glaucoma.

Dr. Derek Welsbie’s patients know him as a skilled and compassionate glaucoma doctor. They may not know that he is also a dedicated researcher focused on restoring vision in glaucoma patients.

Neurodegeneration occurs when neurons — the building blocks of the central nervous system — deteriorate and die, eroding essential capabilities, such as vision or cognition.

Early onset glaucoma is the term often used to describe glaucoma that is diagnosed before the age of 40 years.

Consuming large amounts of daily caffeine may increase the risk of glaucoma more than three-fold for those with a genetic predisposition to higher eye pressure, according to an international multicenter study.

The Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Team is exploring and developing novel strategies to protect, repair, and replace lost retinal nerve cells and help them reconnect with the visual brain.

New strategies are needed to rethink how we treat glaucoma to do more than just manage eye pressure — to actually restore vision by promoting the survival of retinal ganglion cells and their axons.

Therapies, treatments, and technologies—No two cases of glaucoma are alike, and the effectiveness of therapies differ but promising new research findings offer reason to be optimistic.

The Catalyst for a Cure researchers are a team of four principal investigators and their laboratories working together to restore vision and cure glaucoma.

Harvard Medical School scientists have successfully restored vision in mice by turning back the clock on aged eye cells in the retina to recapture youthful gene function.

“Seeing the Future: Longevity Research and Glaucoma” was the topic of the 2020 Weston Family Lecture presented virtually on October 27, 2020.

“Being part of Catalyst for a Cure has given me the opportunity to interact with patients, families, and donors, which has been inspiring and motivating.”

Dr. Ou summarizes recent advances in glaucoma research and highlights some of the most innovative and promising approaches to diagnosing glaucoma, curing glaucoma, and restoring vision.

With 33 companies presenting innovations and 380 attendees, New Horizons Forum provided a boost of energy and commitment to the future of glaucoma diagnosis and treatment.

There has been a remarkable expansion in understanding of the genetic underpinnings of the major forms of glaucoma. As research progresses, we hope to learn much more.