ARVO 2021: Prize-Winning Posters
A breakdown of the posters from the virtual event, showcasing research breakthroughs
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- Giving the Green Light
Different color sensations across the red-green axis can be induced by stimulating single cones with spots of 543 nm light. It has been found that larger and higher-intensity spots increase the likelihood that green is reported and intensify saturation. Whether the spots were stable or drifted across the retina made little difference to color or saturation (1).
- Lean Mean Gene Screen
New rare variants have been identified for refractive error in 43 genes using an exome chip and a large multi-ancestry cohort. This builds on previous genome-wide association studies that have identified over 500 common myopia-causing variants. The newly identified genes are involved in human ocular disease, cell cycle processes, and corneal dystrophies (2).
- Mind the (Gender) Gap
Studies indicate that younger women and older men are more prone to myopia – but why? New research suggests that lifestyle and education changes may be responsible and that future generations should be given guidance on protective behavior (3).
- Eye-Resolution 3D Glasses
Say goodbye to small fields of view and cumbersome systems for OCT. Researchers introduce Adaptive-Glasses Full-Field OCT (FFOCT), which enhances the retinal imaging signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 10, with high resolution and frame rate and in a compact system similar to eyeglasses. Clinical trials are imminent (4).
- Mixed Signals
Neuronal activity is largely dictated by calcium signaling – but our understanding of how calcium affects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), especially in glaucoma, is limited. Researchers have discovered that RGCs respond differently to calcium depending on the subtype and subcellular compartment. In glaucoma, they find altered calcium signals indicating impaired cellular homeostasis in vulnerable RGCs (5).
- J Vanston, Poster presented at ARVO; May 1-7, 2021; Virtual Meeting.
- AEG Haarman, Poster presented at ARVO; May 1-7, 2021; Virtual Meeting.
- C Enthoven, Poster presented at ARVO; May 1-7, 2021; Virtual Meeting.
- P Mecê, Poster presented at ARVO; May 1-7, 2021; Virtual Meeting.
- Y Shiga, Poster presented at ARVO; May 1-7, 2021; Virtual Meeting.
The lion’s share of my PhD was spent in the lab, and though I mostly enjoyed it (mostly), what I particularly liked was the opportunity to learn about the latest breakthroughs in research. Communicating science to a wider audience allows me to scratch that itch without working all week only to find my stem cell culture has given up the ghost on the Friday (I’m not bitter). Fortunately for me, it turns out writing is actually fun – so by working for Texere I get to do it every day, whilst still being an active member of the clinical and research community.
