Cypriot scientists involved in research to cure eye disease

Cypriot and US scientists are involved in research which raises hopes for people who suffer from a serious eye disease, called ''solar-related macular degeneration''.

Scientists from the University of Cyprus, the University of California at Riverside and Princeton University are involved in a promising new drug that could cure this eye disease, which sometimes causes blindness.

The disease – solar related macular degeneration – relates to irreversible damage caused to the light sensing nerves on the retina, with the main risk factors being age and UV radiation. Bright light straight from the sun, or from reflective surfaces such as from snow or the ocean will ‘age’ the macula, which is used to read, write and drive among other things.

According to a press release by the University of Cyprus, introducing appropriated changes in an existing drug, the research groups from the three universities have created an improved activity of the drug, raising hopes for the creation of a drug that would treat the disease.