National Eye Institute

03/13/2026

As of March 11, 2026, this account is no longer active.

Please look for our content on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) page and follow along for the latest news and information from NIH!

For information specifically on eye health and vision research, visit nei.nih.gov.

02/13/2026

💝This Valentine’s Day, fall in love with healthy vision! 😍

Your eyes are responsible for every smile you see and every sunset you admire. Help keep them healthy with yearly eye exams, a balanced diet, and regular exercise.

Your eyes do so much for you! It’s time to show them some love.

Get more tips for keeping your eyes healthy all year long: https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/healthy-vision/how-eyes-work/keep-your-eyes-healthy

02/13/2026

A new review highlights why early screening and support are so important. Did you know a child can have healthy eyes but still struggle to see? That’s the case with a cerebral visual impairment (CVI), a condition where the brain has trouble making sense of what the eyes see.
Kids with CVI often struggle to spot and recognize objects, especially in busy or cluttered environments.

https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2025.1561390/full

02/12/2026

Newly diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD)? It’s natural to have questions.

That’s why the National Eye Institute created a short, helpful guide to support you. Inside, you’ll find:

• Questions to ask your doctor
• A tracking page to record any vision changes over time

A little preparation can lower stress and help you remember what you want to discuss.
Download your free guide:https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2021-03/NEI-AMD-Sheet-2021-03-25_508c.pdf

02/11/2026

Exciting new research offers hope for people living with Stargardt disease, a leading cause of inherited vision loss.

Scientists found that changing the levels of a vitamin A-related protein helped protect the retina in preclinical mouse models. This discovery could lead to new treatments that slow or even reverse vision loss.

Read the study: https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fba.2025-00173

02/11/2026

Jack Lynch’s award-winning video shows how fish like bass and bluegill perceive the world differently than humans—and how that knowledge can support sustainable fishing and conservation. As the 2025 Science in Your World Winner, Jack proves that science is everywhere. Are you a U.S. high schooler ready to share your vision? Submit your video by April 19 for a chance to win!🔗 https://www.nei.nih.gov/EyeOnTheFuture

https://youtu.be/8AFDqHIfKhQ

Jack Lynch explains how bass and bluegill see the world differently from humans and how this understanding can help raise awareness, create sustainable fishi...

02/10/2026

Macular degeneration brings new challenges. But the right resources can help.

Check out Hadley's online workshop on living with macular degeneration. You’ll find helpful strategies for managing glare, safe cooking and pouring, fall prevention, and dealing with feelings about vision loss.

Access free expert resources: https://hadleyhelps.org/workshops/living-with-macular-degeneration

02/09/2026

Imagine watching a video and not being able to see what’s happening on screen. A new tool called “Describe Now” is changing that by letting blind and low vision viewers choose when and how much detail they want in audio descriptions.

researchers created a system that puts control in the hands of the viewer, making movies, shows, and online videos more accessible than ever.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12413206/

02/09/2026

Vision loss doesn’t just change what you see. It can also affect your mental health.

If you’re experiencing vision loss and have feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression, know that you’re not alone. Talk to a doctor about what you’re feeling. Simple steps like staying active and eating healthy can also make a difference.

Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/about-eye-disorders/vision-loss-mental-health.html

02/06/2026

When it comes to understanding low vision, a picture is worth a thousand words.

VisionServe Alliance created a tool to help people understand the effects of vision loss. A simple image of children playing transforms to show how different eye conditions can affect sight.

See from a different perspective: https://visionservealliance.org/simulations/

02/06/2026

02/05/2026

Did you know your eyes might offer clues about your brain health?

In a recent study, scientists found that people with lower levels of a protein called SLIT2 in their eye fluid and blood tended to perform worse on memory and thinking tests.

This discovery suggests that what’s happening in your eyes could reflect what’s happening in your brain—even before more obvious symptoms of memory loss appear.

Researchers hope SLIT2 could one day help doctors detect early signs of dementia and other cognitive issues, using simple tests during routine eye care.

Read the full study here: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13872877251374287

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