I am very excited to announce that Katherina Krafts will be supporting research for the treatment and cure of neurodegeneration and blindness in patients with glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition in which the pressure within the eye is increased, resulting in damage to the optic nerve, and subsequently, blindness.
Here is a brief description of the the work that is being done at the Duke University Eye Center:
"Dr. Henry Tseng is studying how
neurodegeneration leads to vision loss in glaucoma through cutting-edge clinical
and laboratory research. He is a clinician-scientist with a Ph.D. in
Neuroscience in addition to being a fellowship-trained glaucoma eye M.D.
specialist certified by the American Board of
Ophthalmology.
Employing powerful transgenic technology,
Henry Tseng, M.D., Ph.D. is intensely studying both
eye and brain tissue to determine how changes at the genetic and molecular
levels lead to neurodegeneration and blindness.
Vision loss and blindness in glaucoma is caused by death of brain cells called retinal ganglion cells that send visual signals from the eye to the brain. For over a hundred years, the loss of these brain cells was thought to be attributed solely to increased eye pressure. Despite improved eye pressure treatment with modern medical, laser, and surgical therapy, many patients continue to lose vision and become blind. Recent research has suggested a previously unknown link between glaucoma and neurodegeneration-- which is a process similar to that found in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Lou Gehrig's diseases.
Ultimately, the goal of Dr. Tseng's research
is to determine why these specialized brain cells die in glaucoma, and to bring
laboratory knowledge into the clinic to benefit glaucoma patients. His research
work will help develop novel technology for earlier diagnosis of glaucoma as
well as new drugs to prevent their loss. Furthermore, because of the link between
glaucoma and brain neurodegenerative diseases, his work may also benefit
patients with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. "
Katherina Krafts will be donating a percentage of its proceeds from select items to the Duke University Eye Center, specifically earmarked for glaucoma research headed by Dr. Henry Tseng. For more information on Dr. Tseng, please see his bio: http://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu/modules/faculty_dh/viewDetails.php?uid=0304020)
Alternatively, if you would like to make a donation directly to the Duke Eye Center, you can do so here: https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukeeye
Information about the Duke Eye Center: http://dukeeyecenter.duke.edu
Please check out the shop and help support glaucoma research!
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