Abnormal growth of blood vessels is a central feature of number of blinding conditions of the eye. Although there are treatments available that reduce the sudden loos of vision in a majority of people with advanced age related macular degeneration, about 20% fail to respond and half gradually loose vision. This project will determine the effectiveness of treating vascular diseases of the retina with a novel therapy that is quite different to that currently available.
The vision we rely on every day to read and recognise faces depends upon the health of the central portion of our retina, the macula. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Australia and the western world. Researchers at the Australian National University are collaborating to bring a new test for AMD severity to the market within 3 years. The objective is to provide doctors with a rapid, cost-effective tool to help them manage treatment.
The Contribution Of Aberrant Wnt Signalling To Neuronal And Vascular Pathology In Retinal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,342.00
Summary
Neuronal damage and vascular abnormalities are features shared by many retinal diseases. We will use a novel transgenic model to study the contributions of aberrant Wnt signalling in retinal neuronal and vascular pathology, and also, to test strategies for neuroprotection and inhibition of vascular abnormalities. Success in the project may identify novel therapeutic targets leading to safer and more effective treatments for retinal diseases.
The goal of this research is to improve outcomes for people at risk of becoming blind or visually impaired. The focus is on those who require a corneal transplant, or who suffer from inflammatory eye disease or painful disease of the ocular surface, on neonates with retinopathy of prematurity, or those with the eye disease, keratoconus. We will investigate new treatment options for eye diseases and will examine the evidence for the success of surgical and other therapeutic interventions.