Weekly Ophthalmic Newsletter

1. Revolutionary Gene Therapy Restores Sight to Child with LCA

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, two retinologist surgeons at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital ophthalmology clinic have successfully performed groundbreaking gene therapy on an 11-year-old boy, offering hope to patients suffering from degenerative, genetic eye diseases.

The surgery, performed on William Khayrallah, is not only the first of its kind in Quebec but also the first publicly funded gene therapy operation in Canada.

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2. Eye Drop Proven to Slow Myopia Progression in Children

Findings from a recent clinical trial indicate that a potential breakthrough drug therapy, aimed at slowing down the advancement of?nearsightedness?in children, may be within reach.

Over the course of three years, the study demonstrated that administering a daily low-dose?atropine eye drop?in each eye proved more effective than a placebo. This treatment exhibited promising outcomes in terms of reducing changes in eyeglass prescriptions and inhibiting elongation of the eye in children aged 6 to 10 who were diagnosed with nearsightedness.

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3. Breakthrough in Ophthalmology: Study Reveals the Dynamic Structure of the Human Eye

A recent study in the journal Genes & Diseases by researchers from Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital sheds light on degenerative processes within the human RPE and choroid while identifying potential therapeutic targets. The study involved sequencing the RNA of approximately 0.3 million single cells from these regions at seven different ages.

Through this comprehensive analysis, researchers revealed regional and age-specific differences in the human RPE and choroid. These findings highlight the intricate cellular interactions and connectivity networks between the RPE and various choroid cell types. Furthermore, the study identified changes in specific transcription factors and their target genes throughout the aging process.

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4. Rentschler Biopharma, Ikarovec Join Forces to Develop Gene Therapy for GA

Rentschler Biopharma and Ikarovec have joined forces to advance medical research. As part of this partnership, Rentschler Biopharma's ATMP site in Stevenage, UK, will provide valuable support in developing AAV material for pre-clinical testing of Ikarovec's innovative gene therapy.

The therapy aims to treat?geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of?age-related macular degeneration. This condition poses a significant risk as it gradually and permanently damages retinal tissue, potentially causing vision loss over time. The collaboration aims to explore potential solutions for this vision-threatening disease.

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5. The Evolution of Eye Care: 5 Milestones in Ophthalmology History

Ophthalmology has witnessed remarkable advancements throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern-day medical breakthroughs, the field of ophthalmology has continually evolved, improving our understanding of vision and revolutionizing eye care.

In this article, we explore five significant milestones in the history of ophthalmology that have shaped the way we approach eye health and treatment.

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