New Study Finds a Way to Speed Up Fluid Drainage, Improve Glaucoma Treatment

Newswise — Denver, Colo. – Just like trashcans in a stadium speed up the collection of trash, scientists suggest exosomes released by the eye help speed up the drainage of fluid — offering another avenue to treat glaucoma. The research is being presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Denver, Colo.

Exosomes, small particles released by cells, were found to be associated with the drainage of fluid from the eye. Under glaucomatous conditions, the rate of fluid drainage is reduced, as is the number of exosomes present. Increasing the number of exosomes may increase drainage, reducing eye pressure.

In glaucoma, pressure within the eye builds and damages nerves that transmit information from the eye to the brain, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated.

Abstract Title: Effect of L-DOPA and Dopamine on exosome release from the RPE and Ciliary BodyPresentation Start/End Time: Monday, May 4, 8:30am – 10:15am Location: Exhibit HallAbstract Number: 1526 – C0134

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The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) is the largest eye and vision research organization in the world. Members include nearly 12,000 eye and vision researchers from over 75 countries. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders.

All abstracts accepted for presentation at the ARVO Annual Meeting represent previously unpublished data and conclusions. This research may be proprietary or may have been submitted for journal publication. Embargo policy: Journalists must seek approval from the presenter(s) before reporting data from paper or poster presentations. Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation.