Gold injections in the eye: Treatment promises to reverse blindness with nanoparticles

Blindness caused by age -related macular degeneration (DMRI) and other eye problems can be reversed by a day. Injection of gold nanoparticles to the retina. This is a study directed by researchers at the University of Brown, published in late March.

The innovative treatment, which is successfully tested on mice, uses thin pieces of thinner microscopic gold thousands of times than a human hair mixed with antibodies. The combination is injected into the vitreous room between the lens and the retina and plays an important role in maintaining the shape of the eye and the transmission of light.

The next step involves using a small laser device that slightly heats gold nanoparticles and stimulates the activation of specific eye cells. The process that mimics the natural stimulation of photoreceptor impacts, The loss vision has the potential to restoreAccording to the authors.

“We believe that this technique can transform treatment paradigms for degenerative retinal diseases,” Jiarui NIE National Health Institute (NIH) said in a statement published by the University of Brown. He said. He chaired the expert team.

Restoring the vision with gold

During the experiment, scientists injected the solution into the eye cavity of retinal damage and used a laser adapted to the nanoparchic stimulation. Through special probes, they confirmed that the process produces brain activity in the visual cortex of animals.

The result shows that the visual information has come to the brain and has been processed there, which has never happened before. This shows at least partially reversal of blindnessTo show the potential application of a similar method in humans.

The research also confirmed the safety of the technique by observing metabolic markers in search of symptoms of inflammation or toxicity. And the good news is that, according to the article, mice had no serious side effects.

In addition, the approach brings advantages compared to traditional DMRI treatments and other ocular diseases such as pigment retinitis. Less invasive, Treatment with gold nanoparticles is not dependent on surgery in the eye or large implants And it can still cover a wider field of view.

What is macular degeneration?

One of the most common reasons for central vision loss in the elderly, The situation affects the macular which is the retinal center area responsible for the appearance of details and colors.. The main risk factor is aging, but it may be related to metabolic and circulatory diseases, smoking, sun exposure and eating habits.

Although central vision blur, visual deterioration and a constant point in the center of the vision cause great visual damage, the main symptoms of the disease that does not cause total blindness. Treatment, nutrition and antioxidant supplements, intravitre drugs, or laser treatment to delay progression and maintain view.

If the new method is suitable for people, it will require more tests, The system can be mounted on glasses. The integrated cameras would collect images of the environment and use them to trigger laser standardization and warn the device to reclaim the vision of nanoparticles on retet.

“This is a new retinal prosthesis with vision potential due to retinal degeneration without any complex surgical or genetic modification.”

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