Glaucoma Articles
This is the place for the latest information about our work here at Glaucoma Research Foundation and for current events in the world of eye health. All breakthroughs and insights are made possible through the dedication of researchers, and through the continued financial support and active involvement of the community.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 1 Research Study: Biomarkers Reveal How Patients With Glaucoma May Respond To Treatment](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/research-update-image_900x900-585x540.jpg)
Research Study: Biomarkers Reveal How Patients with Glaucoma May Respond to Treatment
A new study explored whether mitochondrial function is associated with the rate at which glaucoma patients lose vision.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 2 Synergy In Action](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cfc3-researchers-white-board_900-585x540.jpg)
Synergy in Action
Two Concurrent Catalyst Initiatives Push for a Glaucoma Cure — and More
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 3 2023 Research Progress: Catalyst For A Cure](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc4-researcher-milica_margeta_in-lab_900-585x540.jpg)
2023 Research Progress: Catalyst for a Cure
Glaucoma Research Foundation is dedicated to scientific research that deepens our understanding of glaucoma, generates new treatments, and will ultimately lead to a cure.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 4 The Link Between Alzheimer’S Disease And Glaucoma](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/senior-woman_900-585x540.jpg)
The Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Glaucoma
Glaucoma and Alzheimer’s Disease are two of the most severe age-related conditions affecting millions worldwide.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 5 2023 Research Update From The Catalyst For A Cure Vision Restoration Team](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc3-vision-restoration-team-2023_900-585x540.jpg)
2023 Research Update from the Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Team
The Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative (CFC3) is seeking innovative ways to regrow or replace retinal ganglion cells and axons, which make up the optic nerve.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 6 2023 Research Update: Catalyst For A Cure Initiative To Prevent And Cure Neurodegeneration](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CFC4-researchers-2023-585x540.jpg)
2023 Research Update: Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration
The Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration began their investigations in 2022.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 7 Alternative Drug Delivery Systems For Glaucoma: A Dropless Future?](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/dropless-concept_900-585x540.jpg)
Alternative Drug Delivery Systems for Glaucoma: A Dropless Future?
Currently, there is extensive research and development on “drop-free” or “drop-less” technologies for delivering glaucoma medications to the eye.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 8 Update From The Catalyst For A Cure Vision Restoration Initiative](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/vision-restoration-researchers_900-585x540.jpg)
Update from the Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative
The Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration team has identified a set of three genes that, when inhibited, improve the survival of optic nerve cells in models of glaucoma.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 9 Smart Contact Lenses Offer Exciting Glaucoma Breakthrough](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/smart-contact-lense-concept_900-585x540.jpg)
Smart Contact Lenses Offer Exciting Glaucoma Breakthrough
Smart contact lenses use tiny sensors to collect data about the pressure inside your eye. They can measure and monitor changes in IOP, or provide on-demand release of glaucoma medication.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 10 The 2022 Weston Lecture: Ahmara Gibbons Ross, Md, Phd](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ahmara-gibbons-ross-2022_900-585x540.jpg)
The 2022 Weston Lecture: Ahmara Gibbons Ross, MD, PhD
“Neuroprotection: A New Path for Glaucoma Patients” was the topic of the 2022 Weston Family Lecture presented virtually on October 27, 2022.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 11 Neurodegeneration Explained](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/questions-and-answers-concept_900-585x540.jpg)
Neurodegeneration Explained
What is neurodegeneration? And how will discoveries related to it affect people with glaucoma?
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 12 Catalyst For A Cure: Meet The New Team Of Investigators](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc4-portraits-montage_900-585x540.jpg)
Catalyst for a Cure: Meet the New Team of Investigators
The Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 13 Fourth Catalyst For A Cure Tackles Neurodegeneration](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc4-team-900square-with-title_edit3-585x540.jpg)
Fourth Catalyst for a Cure Tackles Neurodegeneration
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 14 Catalyst For A Cure: A Synergistic Approach To Scientific Research](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc-graphic-collaboration-585x540.jpg)
Catalyst for a Cure: A Synergistic Approach to Scientific Research
Dr. John G. Flanagan discusses recent discoveries that could cure glaucoma based on key research accomplishments from 20 years of Catalyst for a Cure.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 15 “Solving Neurodegeneration” White Paper Publication Results From Innovative Research Collaboration](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/neurons-illustration_900b-585x540.jpg)
“Solving Neurodegeneration” White Paper Publication Results from Innovative Research Collaboration
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 16 Protecting Retinal Ganglion Cells](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/retinal-ganglion-cell-3d-illustration_900-585x540.jpg)
Protecting Retinal Ganglion Cells
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 17 The Robert N. Shaffer Glaucoma Lecture](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2021-shaffer-lecture-at-aao_900-585x540.jpg)
The Robert N. Shaffer Glaucoma Lecture
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 18 Pilot Project Grants Fill Critical Gap](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pilot-project-research-grants-scientist_900-585x540.jpg)
Pilot Project Grants Fill Critical Gap
Pilot project grants support new and promising ideas in the field of glaucoma research.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 19 Collaborative Research Is Speeding Progress Toward A Cure](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cfc-researchers-stanford-lab_900-585x540.jpg)
Collaborative Research is Speeding Progress toward a Cure
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 20 Focus On Dr. Xin Duan’S Laboratory: Restoring Vision](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/xin-duan-researcher_900-585x540.jpg)
Focus on Dr. Xin Duan’s Laboratory: Restoring Vision
Xin Duan, PhD is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC San Francisco Weill Institute of Neuroscience, where in 2017 he received a Trailblazer Award in Neuroscience.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 21 Researcher Spotlight: Meet Padhu Pattabiraman](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pattabiraman-padmanabhan_900-585x540.jpg)
Researcher Spotlight: Meet Padhu Pattabiraman
In this interview, we learn about Padhu’s extensive background, his research interests, and his personal passions.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 22 Researcher Spotlight: Sayoko E. Moroi, Md, Phd](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sayoko-moroi-researcher_900-585x540.jpg)
Researcher Spotlight: Sayoko E. Moroi, MD, PhD
Sayoko “Sy” Moroi is the Jerome Jacobson Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 23 2021 Research Progress Report: Catalyst For A Cure Vision Restoration Initiative](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cfc3_ucsf_2021_900-585x540.jpg)
2021 Research Progress Report: Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 24 Researcher Spotlight: Derek Welsbie, Md, Phd](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/derek-welsbie-lab-photo_900-585x540.jpg)
Researcher Spotlight: Derek Welsbie, MD, PhD
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.
![Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration 25 Grf Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration](https://glaucoma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/neuronal-network-brain_900-585x540.jpg)
GRF Holds Catalyst Meeting: Solving Neurodegeneration
Neurodegeneration occurs when neurons — the building blocks of the central nervous system — deteriorate and die, eroding essential capabilities, such as vision or cognition.