News

First national centre for age-related eye problems created

(8 October 2003)

Medical scientists from the Universities of Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne have joined forces to form a national centre of excellence for research on age-related eye disorders and visual problems in older people. The Centre is the first of its kind in the UK.

The new Centre for Age-Related Eye Research in the North East of England (NorthEast CARE) will bring together a critical mass of clinical scientists and internationally-recognised researchers in vision science, NHS staff in the field of ophthalmology from across the region, and older people with visual problems and those who support them. It is the only centre in the UK dedicated to research on problems of the ageing eye.

Eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration are common in later life. They constitute a major cause of disability and loss of independence for older people. NorthEast CARE will carry out cutting-edge research on these major causes of visual impairment in later life, and develop new treatments and preventative measures.

Research will also focus on the use of stem-cells to repair damage to the surface of the eye. Another project will examine ways in which age-related diseases of the brain can impair visual functions. Changes in vision with age affect driving and other complex tasks, and NorthEast CARE will work on the development of assistive technologies to help older people with visual problems.

Mike Clarke, Co-Director of NorthEast CARE and Reader in Ophthalmology at Newcastle University says: 'Very large numbers of older people are affected by visual disorders. Almost a third of people aged over 75 years suffer from a disease of the retina called macular degeneration, and 10 per cent of those affected will become blind.

'Over 250 000 cataract removals are performed in the UK each year. Despite the huge impact of these and other visual disorders on the quality of life of older people, there are few centres devoted to the ageing eye and NorthEast CARE is addressing this deficiency. For example, our recent work indicates that abnormal accumulation of a protein in the retina causes macular degeneration, and has opened the prospect of new treatments for this condition' , says Dr Clarke.

Recent advances in molecular and stem-cell biology offer new hope for those with age-related visual problems. Professor Roy Quinlan from Durham University and Co-Director of NorthEast CARE explains: 'The mixture of molecular and cell biologists, vision neuroscientists, experts in the field of ageing, and clinicians which the Centre will bring together is exactly what is required to tackle these complex problems. Having such a team will also help us to get resources including an Eye Tissue Bank and other scientific support which we need for this exciting initiative'.

The new centre has been brought together by Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing and Health. The Institute Director, Professor Jim Edwardson, says: 'NorthEast CARE will add to the Region's pre-eminent position in research to improve the health and welfare of older people. The strong research link with Durham University, developed over the last two years, will add greatly to our ability to tackle age-related visual problems'.

Research example

Clinicians and scientists working within the NE CARE Research Group have discovered that the accumulation of protein in the retina is responsible for an inherited form of macular degeneration called Sorsby's Fundus Dystrophy.

NE CARE co-director, Dr Mike Clarke, says: 'The exciting aspect of this is that such protein accumulation occurs in age-related macular degeneration – which is the commonest cause of blindness in the UK and affects 20 per cent of the elderly population.'

As yet, there is no cure for the condition, but it is hoped that work undertaken by NE CARE will lead to the development of new treatments for this common condition.

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Notes for Editors

• There will be a symposium for non-specialists on the theme of 'Vision for the Ageing Eye', in the Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, on Wednesday, 8 October beginning at 2.00 pm, at which talks will be given by key researchers from NorthEast CARE. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend. Please contact Mrs Wendy Davison, Ophthalmology Department, RVI on 0191 222 7183 for details.
• Professor Alan Bird, Dean of the Institute of Ophthalmology, London will be giving a public lecture entitled 'Vision for the Ageing Eye' to launch this initiative between the two universities. The lecture will take place in the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University, at 5.30pm on Wednesday 8 October. Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University and former Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health will introduce the lecture.

For further information, please contact:

Mr Michael Clarke, Co-Director of NorthEast CARE (Newcastle University) on 0191 222 7183
Professor Roy Quinlan, Co-Director of NorthEast CARE (Durham University) on 0191 334 1331
Professor Jim Edwardson, Director of the Institute for Ageing and Health, on 0191 256 3322
Melanie Reed, Newcastle University Press Office, on 0191 222 5791
Jan Cawood, Public Relations Office, Durham University on 0191 334 0018.