Australians are exposed to some of the highest levels of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. While we tend to focus on avoiding UV damage to our skin, it’s important to remember our eyes as well. Last summer, only six in ten Australians who spent time outside during peak UV exposure times said they wore sunglasses. But sunglasses are much more than a fashion statement. Here’s why they’re important for our eye health (and our skin) – and some tips on how to choose a pair that works. What is UV radiation? UV radiation is a type of energy…
Author: Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne
The United States Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first-ever clinical trial that uses CRISPR-Cas13 RNA editing. Its aim is to treat an eye disease called wet age-related macular degeneration that causes vision loss in millions of older people worldwide. This trial marks a new frontier in gene therapy – the process of treating or curing medical conditions by changing a person’s genes. What makes it special is the fact the therapy targets RNA, instead of DNA. So, what does that mean, and why should we be excited? What is gene editing and how is it used? Genes…