Research into the prevention of vision loss is crucial. Understanding how we can prevent the development of conditions, or the progression of vision loss associated with such conditions has the potential to change lives. That’s why prevention is a core theme in Fight for Sight’s Research Strategy.
"There's a real need for research to shape how we help to make sure the right children are picked up early enough."
Next week we’re hosting a webinar with Dr Lola Solebo, who is coming to the end of one of her Fight for Sight-funded projects on predicting glaucoma risk in children.
Dr Solebo was awarded a Fight for Sight / Glaucoma UK Small Grant Award to identify predictors of secondary glaucoma in children. Secondary glaucoma can occur due to other conditions. If doctors could identify which children are most at risk of developing secondary glaucoma, these children could be monitored more closely, and their treatment could be adjusted to try and prevent sight loss.
Dr Solebo’s team are using imaging techniques to identifying markers that may predict secondary glaucoma in children with associated conditions. To hear her talk about her work in childhood vision conditions, including glaucoma and uveitis, sign up to our webinar on 22 January at 12pm.
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Impact Spotlight: Fight for Sight funded research
Lifestyle risk factors for short-sightedness (myopia)
Professor Jeremy Guggenheim received a Project Grant, co-funded with Health and Care Research Wales, in 2019 to investigate the true risk of lifestyle factors associated with short-sightedness. His team found that lifestyle factors such as education and time spent reading in childhood have a larger impact than was previously thought. By understanding how lifestyle factors can affect the development of short-sightedness we can understand who might be at greater risk. This knowledge may also get us one step closer to reducing this risk.
Preventing damage in glaucoma
Professor James Morgan was awarded a Fight for Sight PhD Studentship Grant in 2019. His team investigated how nicotinamide (otherwise known as NAM; a form of vitamin B3 that’s found in the diet or supplements) works to prevent damage in glaucoma. They found that NAM could provide preventative protection in the parts of the cells that are damaged early in glaucoma. NAM is currently being tested in clinical trials, so a better understanding of how it works can help us refine the intervention going forward. This could include establishing the stage of the condition when it may be most effective.
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Fight for Sight’s ongoing commitment to vision loss prevention
Fight for Sight continues to award projects focussed on vision loss prevention. Our recent Zakarian Award round provided grants to two projects aiming to prevent sight loss in diabetic retinopathy:
Dr Francis Sanders at Hywel Dda University Health Board is studying which diabetes patients are most at risk of diabetic retinopathy. The team are measuring blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure in people with diabetic retinopathy of varying severity.
Dr Ushna Javed at Gloucestershire Hospital is investigating ways to improve eye screening attendance in those with diabetes. If screening is improved, diabetic retinopathy could be picked up earlier meaning it could be treated earlier, helping to prevent vision loss.
Our funding helps researchers to conduct studies addressing vision loss at critical stages of the patient pathway. That’s why we’re committed to funding brilliant minds to develop new ways of preventing vision loss.
Interested in applying for funding?
Find out about our different scientific research grants
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