The Krembil Research Institute has partnered with The Globe and Mail to release a magazine series highlighting Krembil research advancements. The second magazine in the series was distributed to Globe and Mail subscribers across Canada on June 27, 2017 and focuses on success stories from Krembil’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute (read the full issue online).
“In recent years, we’ve assembled a top-notch team of research scientists who are committed to finding answers to fundamental questions about the retina, the brain and disease function,” says Dr. Valerie Wallace, Co-Director of Krembil’s Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, along with Dr. Robert Devenyi.
Stories within the Globe and Mail ‘Vision’ magazine highlight the significant advancements that Krembil researchers have made in recent years, and the new frontiers that they are exploring to better diagnose diseases of the eye and restore vision. These stories are summarized below:
· Dr. Philippe Monnier is developing therapies that can prevent cell death, reverse nerve damage and cure vision loss, as well as other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke.
· Dr. Efrem Mandelcorn is adapting a simple eye test to facilitate the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, before people have symptoms.
· Dr. Valerie Wallace is searching for a way to use transplanted cells to restore vision.
· Dr. Robert Devenyi is pioneering a new vision-saving method for people with retinal detachment—an emergency condition in which the tissue layer at the back of the eye is compromised.
· Dr. Jeremy Sivak is looking for ways to treat glaucoma, a group of conditions that are caused by damage to the optic nerve (ie, the major connection between the eye and the brain).
· Drs. David Rootman and Allan Slomovic are bringing back patients’ vision by improving and implementing innovative surgical techniques.
· The late Dr. Martin Steinbach will be remembered for his leading contributions to vision research in Canada, including his most recent scientific endeavour: using virtual reality technology to detect the early signs of glaucoma, before eye damage occurs.
· Dr. Michael Brent is finding ways to break barriers and make it easier for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams.
Also in the magazine, vision research benefactor Donald K. Johnson explains the importance of private sector donations to “…help research organizations go from being good to being great.”
“There are many exciting stories of progress and success emerging from our laboratories,” explains Krembil Director Dr. Donald Weaver. “Some of these stories are told in this magazine. This is only a sampling of what we do and what we are capable of.”