Gold Injections in the Eye Could Be the Key to Preserving Vision

The idea of injecting gold particles into the eyes may sound unconventional, but a new study conducted on mice in the United States suggests this technique could hold promise for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other degenerative eye conditions.

Understanding the Scope of AMD

AMD impacts millions around the world and becomes increasingly common with age. The condition results from damage to the macula — the central part of the retina that houses light-sensitive photoreceptors — leading to blurry vision and other visual impairments. Although current treatments can help slow its progression, they don’t restore lost vision.

“This represents a novel type of retinal prosthetic with the potential to bring back vision lost due to retinal degeneration, without relying on invasive surgery or genetic alterations,” says Jiarui Nie, a biomedical engineer at Brown University in Rhode Island.

“This approach could revolutionize how we treat degenerative diseases of the retina.”

The treatment involves injecting ultra-thin gold nanoparticles — far smaller than a human hair — into the eye.Antibodies coat these particles, guiding them to specific retinal cells. Once the particles enter the vitreous, the gel-like substance between the lens and retina, a small infrared laser activates them.

This stimulation mimics the natural response of photoreceptors to light.Developers could potentially house the laser in a pair of specialized glasses for future human use.

In the mouse trials, which used genetically modified mice with retinal disorders, the treatment showed partial restoration of visual function. Though it’s difficult to evaluate mouse vision in detail, the results demonstrated that the gold particles could effectively compensate for damaged photoreceptors.

“We found that the nanoparticles remained in the retina for months without causing significant toxicity,” Nie explains. “And they successfully activated the visual system. That’s a promising sign for clinical development.”

Unlike existing AMD treatments or procedures for conditions like retinitis pigmentosa, this method avoids major surgery and bulky implants. It’s minimally invasive and could offer broader visual field restoration.

Looking Toward Human Applications

Researchers must conduct further testing before they can apply this method to humans.Still, the findings represent a strong foundational step.

The field of ophthalmology is increasingly exploring innovative technologies to address vision loss — including techniques that reprogram other retinal cells to replace damaged photoreceptors.

“The development of this technology is a major leap forward and may eventually lead to wearable, light-based devices for restoring sight,” the researchers conclude in their published report.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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