Research award for the battle against glaucoma

A Cambridge University researcher investigating eye cell transplants in the battle against glaucoma has been awarded £200,000 by the Fight for Sight charity. Glaucoma affects 1 in 50 people over the age of 40 in the UK and yet half of people affected are unaware of their problem. It refers to a range of eye conditions which cause damage to the optic nerve and are often associated with raised pressure in the eye. Dr Barbara Lorber of the Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair is researching the possibilities of transplanting specialist cells into the eye and optic nerve to repair the damage caused by glaucoma. Dr Lorber said: "Harnessing the positive potential of these specialist retinal cells may open up new avenues in the treatment of glaucoma." MichÚle Acton, Fight for Sight Chief Executive, said: "Glaucoma is the second most common cause of sight loss worldwide. By funding new research into the causes of this serious condition and supporting the development of new treatments we are offering real hope to the huge number of people affected by glaucoma." Fight for Sight is the UK's leading charity dedicated to funding world-class research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease. Fight for Sight's current research programme is focusing on preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract.