Division of Eye and Vision
The Division of Eye and Vision which is located at St. Erik Eye Hospital, conducts education at the undergraduate, advanced and postgraduate levels, as well as research with the aim of developing the eye care of the future.
Large clinical study on promising potential glaucoma treatment to begin this spring
Large clinical study on promising potential glaucoma treatment to begin this spring
In the spring of 2022, researchers at Umeå University, Karolinska Institutet, and St. Erik Eye Hospital will begin a large clinical study on nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) as a neuroprotective agent in glaucoma. In the longer term, the study could result in a new form of treatment for glaucoma.
We are very pleased to have reached this stage where we will evaluate the effectiveness of nicotinamide supplementation. If the treatment also shows the long-term effects we are hoping for, it will be an extremely important finding for glaucoma patients, says Pete Williams, associate professor and research group leader at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital.
Foveal and peripheral visual quality and accommodation with multifocal contact lenses
The short-term effect on foveal and peripheral vision of two multifocal contact lenses was measured; 1) the MiSight 1-day center-distance (CD) contact lens (treatment zones +2.00D, CooperVision) and 2) the Acuvue Moist 1-day center-near (CN) contact lens (high add +2.50D, Johnson & Johnson). In summary, MiSight contact lenses differed from spectacles with more astigmatism and coma, worsened peripheral low-contrast resolution acuity, and increased accommodative response. These differences may be the myopia control properties of the MiSight lens. It is noteworthy that the reduced peripheral low-contrast vision with the MiSight lenses was not because of a more myopic RPR, which is the common belief about the effect of these lenses.
Valproic Acid Reduces Neuroinflammation to Provide Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection in the Retina Axotomy Model
The retinal explant model is a useful tool to explore resident neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation can be modulated and explored on a rapid timescale whilst maintaining a complex system of cell interactions. VPA can attenuate resident glial inflammation in the retina and is a useful tool to further explore inhibition of pro-inflammatory glia in neurodegenerative disease.
Neurodevelopmental disorders and somatic diagnoses in a national cohort of children born before 24 weeks of gestation
The study showed that 75% of infants born EPT, before 24 weeks of gestation, were affected by neurodevelopmental disorders during childhood and 88% had somatic disorders. The most common issues included asthma and childhood bronchopulmonary dysplasia, speech disorders, intellectual disabilities, failure to thrive, ADHD and ASD. Boys were more likely to have intellectual disabilities than girls.
Risk for Acute Myocardial Infarction After Ophthalmologic Procedures
Do surgeries lead to an increased risk of heart attack?The simple answer is no. New study in Annals of Internal Medicine.
The long-term prognosis of patients with untreated primary uveal melanoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Among the exceedingly rare published patients with untreated primary uveal melanoma, 80–90% have developed metastases and their disease-specific survival seems to be shorter than treated patients. This could indicate that some metastases might be prevented by primary tumor treatment.
No differences in the long-term prognosis of iris and choroidal melanomas when adjusting for tumor thickness and diameter
To assess the long-term prognosis for patients with iris melanomas and compare it with the prognosis for small choroidal melanomas.
Nicotinamide and Pyruvate for Neuroenhancement in Open-Angle Glaucoma
A combination of nicotinamide and pyruvate yielded significant short-term improvement in visual function, supporting prior experimental research suggesting a role for these agents in neuroprotection for individuals with glaucoma and confirming the need for long-term studies to establish their usefulness in slowing progression.
The relationship between retinal structure and visual function in non-immuno-compromised people living with HIV without retinitis on antiretroviral therapy
The recognition of associations may be the first step in the proposal to develop a framework for the surveillance of vision in patients with NIPLHIV. We recommend a study of the sample population to track the stability of these observations before general recommendations for clinical care.
Gain of Chromosome 6p Correlates with Severe Anaplasia, Cellular Hyperchromasia, and Extraocular Spread of Retinoblastoma
Ökning av antalet kopior av kromosom 6 i Retinoblastom ökar risken för spridning av tumören utanför ögat. I ett samarbete mellan två amerikanska universitet och forskare från S:t Eriks Ögonsjukhus har man kartlagt hur antalet kopior av den korta armen av kromosom 6 korrelerar med risken för att Retinoblastom ska sprida sig utanför ögat.Gustav Stålhammar, specialistläkare i ögonsjukdomar och patologi, och docent vid Karolinska Institutet, var huvudansvarig för studien.
Agreement of different OCT scan directions for individual retinal-layer thickness measurements in multiple sclerosis subjects with prior unilateral optic neuritis
The similarities between horizontal and vertical Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans for the individual retinal layer thickness measurements in the macula was evaluated. The larger limit of agreement intervals seen for different layers and sectors suggests that the scan direction must be same for the follow-up OCT measurements and in clinical studies.
Optical Coherence Tomography Identifies Visual Pathway Involvement Earlier than Visual Function Tests in Children with MRI-Verified Optic Pathway Gliomas
Retrograde degeneration of the eye’s retinal ganglion cells, causing visual loss and even blindness, is a feared consequence of optic pathway gliomas. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a patient-friendly, high-resolution imaging technique enabling objective measurements of the integrity of the retinal ganglion cell layer.
The Integrity of Retinal Morphology in Non-immunocompromised People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy
Macula thickness and volumetric differences do exist in NIPLHIV. Practitioners should keep NIPLHIV under retinal morphometric surveillance because they live longer. Associations of cerebral atrophy with retinal morphology may be used to monitor cerebral atrophy in NIPLIV on ART.
One million in grants for age-related macular degeneration researcher Helder André
One million in grants for age-related macular degeneration researcher Helder André
Helder André, research group leader at St. Erik Eye Hospital and at Karolinska Institutet, is awarded one million kronor from the ARMEC Lindeberg Foundation for his research project Novel Gene Therapy Strategies for the Sustainable Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration.
Jan Ygge awarded the 2021 Silver Medal
Jan Ygge awarded the 2021 Silver Medal
Praised for research on eye motor skills. Jan Ygge, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, is awarded the Silver Medal for his excellent research efforts in ocular motor function. He has also contributed greatly to both teaching and pedagogical development at KI.
Maria Nilsson - New docent
Maria Nilsson - New docent
- I feel proud and happy! Optician is a female-dominated profession and it therefore feels extra fun to be the first female associate professor in optometry in Sweden. Now I look forward to continuing to contribute to the scientific and pedagogical development of the subject.
Pete Williams - New docent
Pete Williams - New docent
I am delighted to be awarded Docent in Neuroscience. I am excited to continue to contribute to, and benefit from, the rich pre-clinical and clinical environment that is afforded to me here at the Division of Eye and Vision at St. Erik Eye Hospital.
Alcon USD 75,000 grant awarded to glaucoma researcher Pete Williams
Alcon USD 75,000 grant awarded to glaucoma researcher Pete Williams
Assistant Professor and Research Group Leader Pete Williams at St. Erik Eye Hospital and Karolinska Institutet has been appointed the 2021 Alcon Research Institute (ARI)
Researchers propose a new way to discover new glaucoma treatments
Researchers propose a new way to discover new glaucoma treatments
In a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital, present a new way of identifying potential therapeutics based on exploring common genetic changes in models of glaucoma. The study showed that by using this approach, multiple glaucoma-relevant therapies could be pre-clinically tested. Enhancing the ability to identify potential therapeutics is vital for improving patient outcomes in the future.
Shorter path to new treatments
Shorter path to new treatments
The research facilities in the new St. Erik Eye Hospital are now fully functional for researchers at St. Erik/Karolinska Institutet. The environment aims to provide optimal conditions for translating the research results faster and more efficiently from basic research to clinical reality for the patients.
New study on vitamin B₃ as a possible treatment for glaucoma
New study on vitamin B₃ as a possible treatment for glaucoma
Glaucoma involves a high risk of losing sight. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital, among others, have now studied the effects of nicotinamide, the amide of vitamin B₃, on animal and cell models for glaucoma. The study, published in Redox Biology, may be a future neuroprotective therapy in glaucoma in humans. A clinical trial will start in the autumn.
Clinically transplantable photoreceptors researcher recruited thanks to philanthropic donation
Clinically transplantable photoreceptors researcher recruited thanks to philanthropic donation
A private philanthropic donation has made it possible for St. Erik Eye Hospital to finance the Karolinska Institutet appointment of stem cell researcher David Brenière-Letuffe.
New knowledge about hyaluronic acid may help patients with severe dry eye disease
New knowledge about hyaluronic acid may help patients with severe dry eye disease
High molecular weight hyaluronic eye drops 0.15 per cent, provided superior improvement of symptoms in patients with severe dry eye disease, when compared to other lubricant eye drops. This is the result of a clinical study from 2016–2020 published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, coordinated by Ophthalmologist and Docent Gysbert van Setten at St. Erik Eye Hospital and Karolinska Institutet.
Not just a few tears
Not just a few tears
Only a few scientists devote their research to the problem with teary eyes. Oculoplastic Surgeon and researcher Elin Bohman is an exception. Her research has led to a new insight into how blocked tear ducts should be operated and new clues to the inner workings of the tear ducts.
Glaucoma researcher Pete Williams is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize 2021
Glaucoma researcher Pete Williams is awarded the Axel Hirsch Prize 2021
Assistant Professor and Research Group Leader Pete Williams at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital receives the Axel Hirsch Prize 2021. He is awarded for his groundbreaking studies on glaucoma and the discovery that metabolic dysfunction casues mitochondrial abnormalities and neurodegeneration in patients with glaucoma.
Eye research expands when research group is split
Eye research expands when research group is split
Eye research at St. Erik Eye Hospital and Karolinska Institutet is advancing when the existing research group in retina and ocular oncology is divided into two to refine the research lines. Ophthalmologist and Associate Professor Gustav Stålhammar and researcher Helder André step in as new research group leaders.
He does research with the aim to reduce mortality from eye tumours
He does research with the aim to reduce mortality from eye tumours
Unlike most other types of cancer, the survival in ocular melanoma has not improved in several decades. This is something that eye specialist and researcher Gustav Stålhammar wants to change. "It is time we give this disease a fight. We need to investigate if it’s better to prevent the development of metastases rather than treating them once they appear", he says.