Eye On The Eyes.

Researches for cure/treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa:

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited genetic disorders which cause progressive dystrophy (degeneration) of retina, specifically of its photoreceptor cells - the rods and the cones that lead to slow loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision) and difficulties in the night vision. Gradually, at a later stage, it may lead to loss of central vision also.

Unfortunately, it is known to be incurable so far and its progression differs from case to case. However, researches are going in drug therapy, gene therapy, nutritional supplements, stem cells, artificial retinal transplant and natural retinal transplant for its treatment.

Investigators reported in 1993 that the progressive course of retinal degeneration, as assessed by the electroretinogram (ERG), was slower on average among adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa taking 15,000 international units of vitamin A palmitate daily versus those not on this dose.
However, many doctors fear such high dose of vitamin A results in liver problems. But a report presented at the Scientific Program of the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting held in Chicago has provided new hope for RP sufferers. Researchers have found that the nutrient beta carotene ( found abundantly in yellow and orange foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes) does not carry the liver risks associated with high doses of Vitamin A, can improve vision in some Retinitis Pigmentosa sufferers.

Moorefield’s clinical trials on retinal implant also called Bionic Eye is very inspiring step in patients with total vision loss. Clinical trials with the second-generation 60-electrode version are taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Europe and they have been able to restore some degree of vision.

Scientists at Livermore Lab are pushing ahead with the next generation of artificial retinas, with preclinical testing under way on a model with more than 200 electrodes. Computer simulations indicate that additional electrodes improve image quality, and lab scientists ultimately plan to develop one with at least 1,000 electrodes in the hopes of providing facial recognition and the ability to read, said principal investigator Satinderpall Pannu.

Researcher Mandy Li, Melbourne (Australia) unveiled a prototype bionic eye designed to restore sight to those with failing vision which hopefully could be the biggest breakthrough. A part of the device is surgically implanted in the eye. It is designed for patients suffering from degenerative vision loss caused by the genetic condition Retinitis Pigmentosa or age–related macular degeneration. It consists of a miniature camera, mounted on glasses, that captures images and sends them to a processor the wearer keeps in their pocket. The processor then transmits a signal wirelessly to an implant in the eye which will directly stimulate surviving neurons in the retina, signalling an image to the brain.
Those using the bionic eye will not have perfect vision restored, but they will be able to perceive points of light in their field of vision which the brain can then reconstruct into an image.

Research by Professor Silvia Bisti of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science (The Vision Centre) and University of L’Aquila, Italy, has established that saffron has remarkable effects on the genes which regulate the performance of the eye’s key vision cells.
Her research has shown that the high priced golden culinary herb made from crocus flowers not only protects the vision cells (photoreceptors) from damage, it may also acts to slow and possibly even reverse the course of blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa .
“Saffron is not simply an antioxidant. It seems to possess a number of other properties which are protective to vision,”
“The point about saffron is that it is completely safe and harmless. It has been used in cooking and medicine for three thousand years.

Gene therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa may prevent Blindness by Deborah Mitchell Of University of Oklahoma utilized nanoparticle technology to deliver genetic therapy inside cells of the retina. The microscopic capsule has been very effective, arriving at the designated location in the eye within 15 minutes of delivery and quickly sending its contents to nearby cells. Robert E. Leonard, MD, an ophthalmologist at the Dean McGee Eye Institute called the work “an incredible breakthrough” and said that “outside of gene therapy, we are at a loss to be able to treat these patients.”

Researchers (Shalesh Kaushal, MD, PhD, Chair of ophthalmology and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Cell Biology and his team) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) believe that Valproic acid halts vision loss in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Results from this study, in conjunction with prior in vitro data, suggest valproic acid may be an effective treatment for photoreceptor loss associated with RP. Patients with rapid vision loss were treated off-label with doses of valproic acid ranging from 500mg to 750mg per day over the course of two to six months, five of the seven patients in the study experienced improvement in their field of vision.

R-Tech Ueno Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) announced it has completed a phase 2 clinical trial of 0.15% UF-021 isopropyl unoprostone (Ocuseva), which is under development as a treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa. The trial investigated the possibility of improving visual function in the central part of the retina with UF-021 in patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Scientists from Buffalo, Cleveland and Oklahoma City, used a non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle to restore the vision of mice with Retinitis Pigmentosa. The mice in the study which received the nanoparticle gene therapy showed considerable signs of healing as well as structural improvement in their retinas and functional vision improvements. All of these effects lasted throughout the course of the study. In addition, no adverse side effects were noted. This is very encouraging research for a disease that up until now has had no hope for stabilization of eyesight or cure - Andrea Schumann.

As per a news report dated May 12, 2011, scientists from Schepens Eye Research Institute in Boston have successfully regenerated large areas of damaged retinas and have improved visual function in mice using IPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) derived from the skin - a hope of cure for people suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa and Macular Degeneration.

In a paper published in the October, 2011 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, a team of researchers at Columbia University Medical Center led by Stephen Tsang, MD, PhD have achieved temporary functional preservation of photoreceptors in a mouse model for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) using novel bipartite gene therapy. Their work gives another hope of a future gene therapy cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by neuroinflammation, which progressively damages the retina. As per report dated December, 2011, A collaborative research study among investigators at Wayne State University, the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that steroids attached to the nanoparticles called dendrimers targeted the damage-causing cells associated with neuroinflammation, leaving the rest of the eye unaffected and preserving vision.

February, 2012, a significant slowing of vision loss is possible among people who have Retinitis Pigmentosa if they eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids along with taking vitamin A, according to a study published Online First by Archives of Ophthalmology. The combination of omega-3 and vitamin A had a positive impact on both distance and retinal visual acuities.

November, 2012, Professor Richard Kramer, of California University in Berkeley, said the chemical called AAQ (Acrylamide-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium) which is a photo switch when injected into the eyes binds to proteins on the surface of retinal cells. When switched on by light, it activates brain cells in much the same way as rods and cones are triggered, thus, could one day restore sight to the blind. This has already been found to repair sight in blind mice, leading to hopes for new treatments for human patients. The researchers are now working on a better compound that could eventually cure people with the genetic disease retinitis pigmentosa as well as AMD (age-related macular degeneration) degenerative blindness.

Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs for Retinal Pigment Support: Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ-10, Lutein, Garlic Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Green Tea Extract, Quercetin, L-Glutathione Reduced, Carotenoid Complex & Vitamin A.

References:
http://www.nei.nih.gov/news/statements/pigmentosa.asp
http://www.naturalnews.com/030218_beta_carotene_retinitis_pigmentosa.html
http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/Healthprofessionals/Researchanddevelopment/Retinalimplanttrial www.vcstar.com/news/.../artificial-retina-restores-sight
www.france24.com/.../20100330-australia-reveals-prototype
http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=5059
www.emaxhealth.com › Aging › Eye and Vision
http://www.wellsphere.com/general-medicine-article/valproic-acid-shown-to-halt-vision-loss-in-patients-with-retinitis-pigmentosa/1177613
http://retinaindia.blogspot.com/2010/11/ocuseva-drug-in-clinical-trial-in-japan.html
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100331141623.htm
http://ingridricks.com/tag/hope/
http://www.vitaganic.com/disease/Retinitis-Pigmentosa.html
http://www.sciencenewsline.com/medicine/2011093022410007.html
http://research.wayne.edu/news.php?id=7790#

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2178794/Blindness-cured-simply-injection-eye.html