OHSU

Gene Therapy

Gene Therapy Research Program


Abnormal growth of new blood vessels in the eye, called ocular neovascularization, is the most common cause of permanent blindness in developed countries. Just three diseases are associated with this condition: diabetes, retinopathy of prematurity and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While they affect different groups of patients, these diseases share one process: uncontrolled cell division, leading to the growth of new blood vessels. These blood vessels damage the retina, causing vision loss.

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Diabetes, retinopathy of prematurity and AMD cause approximately 60% of untreatable blindness in the United States. Gene therapy researchers at Casey Eye Institute are studying whether various genes can be used to change or stop the process of abnormal blood vessel growth. This would lead to a decrease in vision loss from these diseases.