Doug Atkinson's Writing Portfolio

Originally posted on LinkedIn here

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This week, we’re taking a look at the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP’s) Vision Research Program (VRP) for #SaveYourVisionMonth!

The VRP was established by congress in fiscal year 2009 to “target the various causes, effects and treatment of visual injury resulting from exposures to the elements during combat operations, and damage from explosive devices.” Since then, the VRP has become the nation’s primary funder of research on vision injury, including injury to the ocular system and TBI-associated visual dysfunction.

The VRP funds research across the continuum of care, with three primary focus areas:

– Understanding and treating eye injury or visual dysfunction as related to military exposure
– Diagnosis, stabilization, and treatment of eye injuries in austere environments and prolonged care settings
– Restoring visual function after military exposure-related vision loss or severe visual impairment

Through FY22, the VRP has made more than 160 awards to 130 Principal Investigators at more than 80 institutions/companies around the world. Some success stories include:

Photovoltaic Subretinal Prosthesis:
A wireless, easy-to-implant device that promises to restore sight up to 20/80 and even 20/40 in patients blinded by the loss of photoreceptors. To do this, visual information is projected onto the retina by augmented-reality goggles using pulsed near-infrared light. Light is converted into pulsed electric current in each pixel, stimulating the nearby neurons. The prosthesis is being tested in an externally funded clinical trial.

Outer Retina Reconstruction for Combat Afflictions (ORRCA):
ORRCA was an international team effort that combined stem cell-based production of retinal cells, bioengineering of outer retina scaffolds, and the development and optimization of surgical techniques. It is a precision-based outer retinal cell replacement therapy that reconstructs areas within the central outer retina that have been irreversibly damaged by blunt force trauma or laser exposure. The retinal cells demonstrate an ability to create synaptic connections with other cells, which is necessary for communication between the retina and the brain.

Topical Application of Losartan to Treat Injury- Related Scarring:
Myofibroblasts, cells that aide in wound healing, cause corneal scarring when continually stimulated by the signaling protein TGF-β, resulting in severe vision loss or blindness. Researchers used topical applications of Losartan, an FDA-approved TGF-β inhibitor, to prevent and treat corneal scarring fibrosis. Results indicate that Losartan prevents scarring and reduce corneal haze postinjury.

Clearly, the VRP’s emphasis on innovative research to understand, prevent, diagnosis, mitigate, and/or treat eye injuries motivates the scientific community to develop some amazing ideas to help the warfighter. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e5XbesYq