Fight for Sight has revealed that it will fund research into how a new molecular scaffolding could help restore nerve connections between the eye and the brain.
Professors Keith Martin, James Fawcett and the rest of the team from the University of Cambridge will work with the Centre for Eye Research Australia and the University of Melbourne to see if the molecule protrudin can help to heal and regrow damaged eye nerve cells, which could lead to a strong connection between the eye and the brain.
Prof Martin said: ‘Despite all currently available treatments, around 10-15% of patients with glaucoma go blind in at least one eye during their lifetime. Our work aims to develop new strategies to repair the optic nerve and ultimately, to restore vision in people who are blind due to optic nerve diseases like glaucoma.’