Retina UK launches new Tandem Cycling Event
Retina UK has launched a brand new event for 2019. From 11th-13th October, Retina UK supporters will come together to cycle 100 miles over two days along Hadrian's Cycleway. Supported by paralympic cyclist Steve Bate, the event promises to be a fantastic experience, a great challenge, and a chance to meet new people and make …
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Promising interim results for trial of potential new treatment for LCA10
Highly promising interim results from an early phase clinical trial of a potential new treatment for Leber’s congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10), caused by mutations in the CEP290 gene, have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine. Back in September, we reported on the initial announcement of this encouraging news from the phase 1/2 trial …
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“First-in-class” treatment for vision loss in Usher syndrome takes a step towards clinical testing
A potentially transformative new treatment for vision loss in Usher syndrome type 2 has been given the go-ahead for initial clinical testing in a small number of adults living with the condition. Dutch biotechnology company ProQR Therapeutics announced this week that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its Investigational New Drug (IND) application …
Retina UK Ambassasor wins Venus Award for Inspirational Woman of the Year
Award winning business woman, entrepreneur and Retina UK ambassador Seema Flower recently won the award for the London 2018 Venus Award Inspirational Woman of the Year. At a ceremony that took place at the Waldorf Hilton, she received the award in recognition of her hard work and achievements over the years in inspiring others and …
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First gene editing treatment moves towards clinical trials
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has given the go-ahead for clinical testing of what could be the first gene editing treatment to be used in inherited eye disease. The new treatment, known as EDIT-101, has been developed by US-based pharmaceutical company Editas Medicine and aims to use the relatively new gene editing technique …
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Gene therapy for RPE65 gene approved for use in EU
The gene therapy Luxturna has won European regulatory approval for the treatment of inherited retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene. This milestone decision was made by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Thursday, 22 November. Luxturna is the first and only gene therapy available in Europe to treat inherited retinal disease. It …
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Ophthalmology clinical research activity on the increase in the UK
Ophthalmology research in the NHS has grown and become more accessible to patients over the last eight years, according to a newly published report in the journal Eye. This is encouraging news for Retina UK as we work towards our aim of anyone living with inherited retinal disease being able to take part in research …
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Surfing with sight loss – fun and freedom
By Victoria Claire, Retina UK Ambassador Surfing was always something that appealed to me – I loved the idea of it, the culture, the fashion – when I was younger I often wore surf-style clothing. But when I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the age of 19, I accepted that it was something …
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Victor completes the Munich Marathon!
On 14th October, Victor took on the Munich Marathon for the Retina UK research fund. He completed the marathon in 4 hours 50 minutes, a fantastic achievement, especially as he only started running a year ago. He has described the freedom he felt by starting to run with a guide: “You cannot imagine the sensation …
RP Fighting Blindness rebrands to Retina UK
RP Fighting Blindness, the leading UK charity dedicated solely to working for people affected by inherited retinal conditions, has today rebranded to Retina UK. As well as a new name and visual identity, it has developed a new website www.RetinaUK.org.uk Retina UK works for people affected by a range of inherited retinal dystrophies including retinitis …
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Widespread errors in “proofreading” cause inherited blindness
Mistakes in “proofreading” the genetic code of retinal cells is the cause of a form of inherited blindness, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by mutations in splicing factors. This new understanding of the disease process, published today in Nature Communications, is leading to the development of a gene therapy for RP caused by splicing factor defects. …
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Inspirational artist becomes RP Fighting Blindness Ambassador
Victoria Claire, a professional artist in contemporary sculpture for more than 25 years, will be working with the charity to show that it is possible to lead a limitless life despite a diagnosis of inherited sight loss. Victoria Claire is the third Ambassador to join RP Fighting Blindness and will be bringing her inspirational approach …
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