Blind Conditions Research Articles

Do plant‐based and blend meat alternatives taste like meat? A combined sensory and choice experiment study

AbstractWe conducted a combined sensory and discrete choice experiment study with a 100% beef burger, a plant‐based burger using pea protein, a plant‐based burger using animal‐like protein, and a blended burger with 70% beef and 30% mushroom involving US consumers. Respondents were either assigned to a blind or an informed tasting condition with information about the ingredients before tasting the burgers. Results reveal that (i) beef burgers are preferred over alternatives, (ii) consumers favor blended burgers over alternatives in the blind condition but demand decreases in the informed condition; (iii) consumers prefer the plant‐based burger with animal‐like protein over the one with pea protein.

Parents' Awareness and Perception of Children's Eye Diseases in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundThe visual system becomes more susceptible to conditions causing abnormal binocular interaction or blurred visual input as it matures during the first six years of life. Therefore, detection and treatment of visual impairment at a young age can lower the burden of the condition in adulthood. According to estimates, there are 19 million children worldwide with visual impairment, and 1.4 million children suffer from blindness. One of the strategies to address blinding eye conditions and visual impairment is through health promotion. For children, the efficient way of intervention is through parents and their school environment. Therefore, the establishment of an effective health promotion model for addressing childhood blindness requires awareness building of parents and health care practices. Few studies were undertaken in Saudi Arabia to focus on the awareness of parents about childhood eye diseases and visual impairment. The aim of this study is to assess parents’ awareness and perception of children’s eye diseases in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed to parents of children aged 15 and younger via WhatsApp. The survey consisted of four main sections: socio-demographic data, knowledge about eye care, knowledge about eye diseases, and eye care practice.ResultsThe knowledge about eye diseases in children was of excellent grade in 20 parents (3.6%), good in 101 (18.2%), and poor in 434 (78.2%). Knowledge was good in 287 parents (51.7%) for amblyopia, 65 (11.7%) for childhood cataract, and 69 (12.4%) for childhood glaucoma. The attitude regarding children wearing spectacles and undergoing ophthalmic surgery when needed was positive in 427 (76.9%) and 474 (85.4%) parents, respectively. Over half of the participants (58.6%) had visited an ophthalmology clinic for the examination of their children. Doctors, campaigns, and social media were the preferred modes of receiving knowledge. Participants aged 51 years or over (p = 0.022), with a higher income level (p = 0.004), of Saudi origin (p = 0.036), and those with a child with an eye disease (p = 0.001) had significantly higher knowledge scores about childhood eye diseases.ConclusionThe levels of knowledge, practice, and attitude among parents regarding pediatric eye diseases were unsatisfactory. Health promotion through utilizing parents’ preferred modes of media could improve the eye care of children in the study area.

Understanding the science of fungal endophthalmitis - AIOS 2021 Sengamedu Srinivas Badrinath Endowment Lecture

Fungal endophthalmitis is a potentially blinding condition. It is more often reported from Asia, including India. The incidence is lower than bacterial endophthalmitis. But it is relatively more challenging to treat than bacterial endophthalmitis. Many eyes may need therapeutic keratoplasty and/or evisceration. The current mainstays of treatment are vitrectomy irrespective of the presenting vision, intravitreal antifungal agents, and systemic therapy; additionally, the patients could require prolonged treatment with repeat vitreous surgeries and intravitreal injections. Difficulty in clinical diagnosis, delay in microbiological culture, and limited options of antifungal drugs make the treatment more difficult and less rewarding. Three common fungi causing endophthalmitis are Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Candida. The former two are molds, often identified in exogenous endophthalmitis, postoperative and traumatic; the latter is yeast and is more often identified in endogenous endophthalmitis. A faster diagnosis with newer molecular microbiological technologies might help institute treatment earlier than it is currently possible. A target trial using big data from different regions of the world might emulate a randomized clinical trial to design a definite treatment strategy. Given fewer antifungal drugs, one must be mindful of antifungal stewardship to prevent resistance to the existing drugs.

Awareness of cataract and glaucoma in two rural districts of Telangana, India.

Purpose:To determine the level of awareness of cataract and glaucoma and identify the determinants of awareness in two rural districts of Telangana, India.Methods:A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using the rapid assessment of visual impairment (RAVI) methodology in Khammam and Warangal districts. A validated questionnaire was administered to participants aged 40 years and above to assess the level of awareness of cataract and glaucoma.Results:The awareness questionnaire was administered to 3273 participants of whom 1433 (43.8%) were men, 1985 (60.6%) of them had no education, and 1645 (50.3%) were from Khammam district. In total, 2539/3273 (77.6%; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 76.1– 79.0%) participants reported awareness of cataract. Awareness of cataract was higher in Khammam compared to that in Warangal (84.4% versus 70.6%; P < 0.01). Only 41/3273 (1.25%, 95% CI: 0.90–1.69%) participants were aware of glaucoma. Awareness of glaucoma was also higher in Khammam (1.88% versus 0.61%; P < 0.01). Younger age groups, men, any level of education, and residing in Khammam were factors associated with awareness of cataract. Only having any level of education and residing in Khammam were associated with awareness of glaucoma.Conclusion:Awareness of cataract was high, but awareness of glaucoma was very poor. There is a need to spread awareness about these potentially blinding conditions. Moving forward, this can be a critical step in developing a preventive eye care strategy to achieve universal eye health in India.

Critical Analysis of Postoperative Outcomes in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Associated with Giant Tears: A Consecutive Case Series Study

Currently there remains controversy in the surgical management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) due to giant retinal tears (GRTs), a potentially blinding condition. To clarify which surgical technique is better depending on the origin and magnitude of the giant tear this study aimed to analyze the anatomic and functional outcomes. To analyze trans- and postoperative surgical complications, we used long-term final postoperative structural, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and correlated the results with the final postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in three different groups of eyes.

Consumers' Expectations about Meat from Surgical Castrated or Immunocastrated Male and Female Iberian Pigs.

Simple SummaryPig castration is a common practice in the Iberian breed (boar and gilts), known for the quality of its products. This work studies the effect of pig castration (surgically castrated females and males, immunocastrated females and males and entire females) on the sensory expectations and acceptability of the meat. Attitudes and beliefs towards castration and immunocastration were also evaluated. The study was carried out in Madrid and Barcelona, where consumers (n = 252) evaluated meat from the five sex types in blind and informed conditions. Results showed that consumers could be classified into three groups as “Indifferent”, “Against castration and immunocastration” and “Against immunocastration”. Meat from castrated males had higher overall liking scores than the other types of meat. Information provided to the consumers, together with their expectations, affects the overall liking scores. Thus, this needs to be considered to determine the best marketing strategy according to the type of pork produced.A common practice in Iberian pigs is the castration of both males and females, and it can be carried out surgically or by immunization against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF). The aim of this work was to determine consumers’ overall liking and expectations towards Iberian pork from five different sex types (castrated females, entire females, GnRF-vaccinated females, castrated males and GnRF-vaccinated males), as well as to know the attitudes and beliefs of consumers towards castration and immunocastration. Loins from 83 Iberian pigs were collected and evaluated by 252 consumers in Barcelona and Madrid. Consumers evaluated the five types of meat in three situations: blind condition (tasting the product), expectations (without tasting) and informed condition. Finally, attitudes and beliefs towards castration and immunocastration were also determined. Results distinguished three segments of consumers labeled as “Indifferent”, “Against castration and immunocastration” and “Against immunocastration”. Meat from castrated males had higher overall liking scores in the blind condition. Expectations towards pork depending on its sex type affect consumer-informed acceptability; thus, it is important to consider marketing strategies to avoid or direct the effect of the information provided on the acceptability of the pork.

Meat with edible coating: Acceptance, purchase intention and neophobia

The acceptance of a new product depends on its sensory quality and consumers’ physiological and psychological aspects. The fear of consuming foods processed by new technologies is an example. This study aimed to investigate the overall acceptance and purchase intention of chitosan-coated beef and lamb meat in blind and informed conditions and to estimate the psychometric properties using the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS). Beef and lamb meat samples were evaluated for overall acceptance (1 = extremely disliked, 9 = extremely liked) and purchase intention (1 = certainly would not buy, 5 = certainly would buy). A questionnaire containing the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS) was applied, and sociodemographic data were collected, and 297 consumers participated in this study. For beef, chitosan-coated in the informed condition was the most accepted. In contrast, for lamb meat, the overall acceptance values of control and chitosan treatments in the blind condition were higher than the samples in the informed condition. However, cluster analysis indicated three clusters of consumers with different perceptions for both types of meat. The original FTNS showed factorial invariance, and the abbreviated scale (AFTNS) was used. The final AFTNS model showed good adjustment index (λ = 0.41 – 0.73; χ2 / gl = 3.5; CFI = 0.93; TLI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.09) and had 8 items. For most consumers in this study, an absence of neophobia was observed (71.1%), indicating that the chitosan-coated meat would potentially be commerced.

Adolescents are more sensitive than adults to acute behavioral and cognitive effects of THC.

Increased cannabis availability has contributed to increased use with concomitant incidence of adverse effects. One risk factor for adverse drug reactions may be age. There is preclinical evidence that acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of cannabis, are greater during adolescence, but this has not been fully studied in humans. The present study sought to determine whether adolescent men and women are more sensitive than adults to acute THC. Adolescents aged 18-20 (N = 12) and adults aged 30-40 (N = 12), with less than 20 total lifetime uses of THC-containing products, received capsules of THC (7.5, 15 mg) and placebo across three study sessions in randomized order under double blind conditions. During each session, subjective, cardiovascular, behavioral, and EEG measures were obtained. Behavioral measures included Simple Reaction Time, Stop Task, Time Production and N-back and EEG measures included P300 amplitudes during an auditory oddball task and eyes-closed resting state. THC affected subjective state and heart rate similarly in both age groups. However, adolescents were more sensitive to performance impairing effects, exhibiting dose-dependent impairments on reaction time, response accuracy, and time perception. On EEG measures, THC dose-dependently decreased P300 amplitude in adolescents but not adults. Adolescents were more sensitive to behavioral and cognitive effects of THC, but not to cardiovascular effects or subjective measures. Thus, at doses that produce comparable ratings of intoxication, adolescents may exhibit greater cognitive impairment and alterations in brain function.

In search of disambiguation: development of eye drop bottle sleeves to aid in identification and survey among possible users. A cross-sectional study.

Considerable numbers of individuals present low vision, blindness, illiteracy and other conditions that could possibly impair their identification of medications, such as eye drops. Through helping these individuals to identify their eye drops, they can achieve greater autonomy. Misidentification can be avoided through use of multisensory sleeves that can be adapted to most eye drop bottles. Correct use of eye drops is important for preventing progression of diseases like glaucoma that could potentially lead to blindness. To develop bottle sleeves to aid in identification of eye drops and then interview a group of possible users to evaluate the acceptance of the solution. Cross-sectional survey performed at an ophthalmological clinic in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. We describe the development of multisensory sleeves to assist in identification of eye drops. To assess the acceptance of this solution, we interviewed 18 patients who were currently using three or more types of eye drops. We developed four prototypes for eye drop bottle sleeves and conducted an acceptance test on them. Most of the patients who answered the survey about the sleeves were elderly. Most (95%) reported believing that the sleeves would help reduce the risk of mixing up eye drops with other medications that also dispense drops. They also believed that these would increase their autonomy in using eye drops. The solution presented was well accepted and may help increase safety in using eye drops through preventing misidentification.

Effect of Insulin Resistance and Role of Plasma Adiponectin Level in Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) is a potentially curative method for treatment of severe symptomatic and drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of steerable sheaths on catheter stability in paroxysmal AF based on contact force (CF). Methods: Fifty-two patients were included in this study and they were randomly enrolled to two groups: Pulmonary vein isolation using steerable (Group 1, n=26) or fixed-curve (Group 2, n=26) sheaths employing a force-sensing ablation catheter. We analyzed the operator-blinded and unblinded CFs when the operators were satisfied with the catheter position. Results: The average CF was 23.56±9.43 g (Group 1) vs. 22.03±10.56 g (Group 2) for the blind condition (P&lt;0.05) and 24.61±10.46 g (Group 1) vs. 22.18± 9.84 g (Group 2) for the unblinded condition (P&lt;0.05). There was significant heterogeneity of CFs between the segments: the CFs of the anterior-middle, anteroinferior, posterior-middle, and inferior posteroinferior segments of the right pulmonary vein (RPV), as well as of the roof, superior anterosuperior, anterior-middle, inferior anteroinferior, and inferior posteroinferior segments of the left pulmonary vein (LPV), showed statistical differences in the blinded condition (P&lt;0.05). The CFs of the roof, anterosuperior, anterior-middle, and inferior anteroinferior, and posteroinferior segments of the RPV, and LPV showed statistical differences in the unblinded condition (P&lt;0.05). Posterior and roof segments showed enhanced CFs in both groups. Group one had a lower proportion of acute reconnection rate and less tendency for recurrence. Conclusion: In conclusion, catheter stability improved with steerable sheaths owing to the potential of attaining higher CFs. This advantage was independent of CF guidance and exhibited a specific distribution pattern.

Beyond anti-VEGF: can faricimab reduce treatment burden for retinal disease?

The introduction of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications has had a revolutionary impact on the practice of ophthalmology. For many patients with blinding eye conditions like neovascular (also known as wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO), intravitreal anti-VEGF agents provided the first hope for meaningful visual recovery. 1 Keane PA Patel PJ Liakopoulos S Heussen FM Sadda SR Tufail A Evaluation of age-related macular degeneration with optical coherence tomography. Surv Ophthalmol. 2012; 57: 389-414 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (179) Google Scholar , 2 Adamis AP Brittain CJ Dandekar A Hopkins JJ Building on the success of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy: a vision for the next decade. Eye. 2020; 34: 1966-1972 Crossref PubMed Scopus (15) Google Scholar Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab up to every 16 weeks for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (TENAYA and LUCERNE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3, non-inferiority trialsVisual benefits with faricimab given at up to 16-week intervals demonstrates its potential to meaningfully extend the time between treatments with sustained efficacy, thereby reducing treatment burden in patients with nAMD. Full-Text PDF Efficacy, durability, and safety of intravitreal faricimab with extended dosing up to every 16 weeks in patients with diabetic macular oedema (YOSEMITE and RHINE): two randomised, double-masked, phase 3 trialsRobust vision gains and anatomical improvements with faricimab were achieved with adjustable dosing up to every 16 weeks, demonstrating the potential for faricimab to extend the durability of treatment for patients with diabetic macular oedema. Full-Text PDF

A lens into the past: The history of cataract surgery

Cataract surgery may be one of medicine’s greatest achievements, providing treatment for an otherwise blinding condition. These surgeries are among the most common operative procedures performed worldwide and are also among the most successful. The advancements that have been made in cataract management exemplify the progress that has been made in the field of surgery as a whole. Moreover, the story of the evolution of cataract surgery is fascinating. From humble origins with cataract couching to the use of ultrasonic energy in phacoemulsification, each milestone in the advancement of cataract surgery has had innovative physicians at its forefront, striving for better patient visual outcomes. This article seeks to review these major milestones, including couching, extracapsular cataract extraction, intracapsular cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation. Procedural steps of modern-day phacoemulsification and recent advancements that may be incorporated into future practice are also reviewed.

ENHANCING READING COMPETENCE THROUGH THE BRAILLE SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

This paper addresses the issue of the development of the English language reading skills and subskills using the Braille System as the fundamental tool for visually impaired people. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the use of the Braille System and the reading skill competence. This research was applied to 21 pupils with different blindness conditions and from 10 to 32 years old who belong to the Special Education School “Julius Dophner” in the city of Ambato, Ecuador. This preliminary study was carried out using a quasi-experimental design, where pre-tests and post-tests were applied during a three-week period. Pupils took active part in the reading of the different primers at the beginning and after the treatment process. A t-test was used to examine the hypothesis. The results revealed that the improvement in the English language reading for specific information subskill through the Braille system was meaningful. Additional testing should be done to validate the scores obtained by visually impaired students with the use of this tool. Pupils showed a positive and very enthusiastic attitude about the learning process of the English language through this tool with which they are familiar.

Recognising and treating uveitis in donkeys

There is a paucity of information in the veterinary literature regarding ophthalmic disease in the donkey. Uveitis is a potentially blinding condition, which warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment. Clinical signs associated with uveitis include epiphora, aqueous flare, miosis, corneal oedema, keratic precipitates and vitreal inflammation, posterior synechiae formation, cataract formation, lens luxation or subluxation, peripapillary scarring and retinal detachment. Treatment is aimed at suppressing the uveal tract inflammation, through the use of both topical and systemic medications. Surgical intervention may also be considered, with appropriate patient selection. This article describes the clinical signs, diagnosis and management of uveitis in the donkey.

Effect of Weight Bearing Variations &amp; Heel Height on Forefoot Width for Orthopaedic Imaging

Category:Basic Sciences/Biologics; Midfoot/ForefootIntroduction/Purpose:The biomechanics of a foot when weight bearing change significantly due to the changes in the function through the gait cycle. Variations in heel height are known to influence load distribution in weightbearing, thus affecting change in forefoot widths. Weight bearing in radiographs are commonly used to identify these changes, which may have clinical relevance. However, there are limited studies that accurately quantify the extent of these differences in the forefoot to be analysed effectively. Hence, there is a need to investigate different weight bearing conditions and its influence on forefoot width changes required for accurate analysis of imaging. This study's aim is to evaluate the significance and degree of foot splaying with different modes of weight-bearing and heel height to achieve optimum increase in forefoot width.Methods:32 volunteers with no clinical issues with their feet were selected for this study. Weight bearing photographs of their feet were reviewed by 2 foot and ankle surgeons (under blinded conditions) to ensure they were normal morphologically. The forefoot width is measured using sliding callipers between the medial margin of the first metatarsal head and lateral margin of the fifth metatarsal head when non weight bearing - NWB, partial weight bearing - PWB (dual leg stance) and full weight bearing - FWB (single leg stance). Single leg stance measurement is also taken at increasing heel heights of 2cm (FWB1), 4cm (FWB2) and 6cm (FWB3) using polyurethrane blocks. Each individual foot non weight-bearing width will act as its own control for the changes in the differing positions measured.Results:Statistical analysis of data demonstrated the results with the use of student t-test analysis via SPSS which showed statistically significant differences in forefoot width in both genders(p<0.05). There is an increasing trend of forefoot width as weightbearing conditions increase up to 2cm of elevated heel height. However, forefoot width decreases as heel height increases beyond 2cm in both genders. Female subjects have a higher trend of percentage of increase in mean forefoot width compared to males in all weightbearing conditions except for full weightbearing with 6cm heel height elevation.Conclusion:In conclusion, there is a linear trend of increase in forefoot width with increase from non-weightbearing up to 2cm heel height inclination. Full weightbearing with 2cm heel height inclination produces the widest foot splaying in this study. Larger future studies will need to be conducted to validate these findings.

RNA-based therapies in inherited retinal diseases.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of genetic eye disorders. There are more than 300 disease entities, and together this group of disorders affects millions of people globally and is a frequent cause of blindness or low-vision certification. However, each type is rare or ultra-rare. Characteristically, the impaired vision in IRDs is due to retinal photoreceptor dysfunction and loss resulting from mutation in a gene that codes for a retinal protein. Historically, IRDs have been considered incurable and individuals living with these blinding conditions could be offered only supportive care. However, the treatment landscape for IRDs is beginning to evolve. Progress is being made, driven by improvements in understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships, through advances in molecular genetic testing and retinal imaging. Alongside this expanding knowledge of IRDs, the current era of precision medicine is fueling a growth in targeted therapies. This has resulted in the first treatment for an IRD being approved. Several other therapies are currently in development in the IRD space, including RNA-based therapies, gene-based therapies (such as augmentation therapy and gene editing), cell therapy, visual prosthetics, and optogenetics. RNA-based therapies are a novel approach within precision medicine that have demonstrated success, particularly in rare diseases. Three antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are currently in development for the treatment of specific IRD subtypes. These RNA-based therapies bring several key advantages in the setting of IRDs, and the potential to bring meaningful vision benefit to individuals living with inherited blinding disorders. This review will examine the increasing breadth and relevance of RNA-based therapies in clinical medicine, explore the key features that make AONs suitable for treating genetic eye diseases, and provide an overview of the three-leading investigational AONs in clinical trials.

Clinical outcome of intravitreal gentamicin injection for the treatment of end-stage glaucoma in five rabbits (eight eyes).

Glaucoma is a painful and blinding condition that occurs in many species, including rabbits. When medication is no longer effective in maintaining intraocular pressure (IOP), enucleation is the recognized treatment for rabbits with end-stage glaucoma. However, this procedure carries risks relating to the procedure and the anesthesia. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the efficacy of intravitreal gentamicin injection in controlling IOP in blind eyes of rabbits with end-stage glaucoma. Ocular and non-ocular complications were retrospectively assessed. Medical record review was performed to identify five client-owned rabbits (eight eyes) that were treated by intravitreal injection of 6-20 mg of gentamicin per eye (median 7.18 mg/kg) for chronic, end-stage glaucoma. Treatment was unilateral in two and bilateral in three rabbits. IOP control was assessed via rebound tonometry readings performed approximately 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after injection. Total follow-up was between 313 and 1,111 days. Ocular complications were recorded and systemic health was estimated by the owner-answered questionnaire and changes in body weight. IOP was <25 mmHg in 87.5% of eyes 3 months post-injection. The most common ocular complications were cataracts (62.5%), anterior uveitis (25%), retinal detachment (12.5%), and corneal erosion (12.5%). There were no behavioral or body weight changes suggestive of systemic complications. 87.5% of rabbit eyes treated with intravitreal gentamicin had controlled IOP 3 months after injection. All eyes were blind at the time of injection. Ocular side effects were common. Investigation of the safety and systemic effects of intravitreal gentamicin injection is required; however, no overt complications were identified in treated rabbits in this study.

Hemiretinal artery occlusion as a variant of retinal arterial occlusive disease

Central retinal artery occlusion is an established and potentially blinding ocular condition. It is the most common presentation of the spectrum comprising retinal arterial occlusive diseases. The presence of a hemicentral retinal artery is an anatomical variation and few reports on its occlusion are noted in literature. Here, we present the case of a 45-year-old male who was diagnosed with hemiretinal artery occlusion occurring secondary to an embolus from the carotid artery. He was also noted to have systemic hypertension at presentation along with dyslipidemia. The visual acuity loss improved over a follow-up period of 1 week post presentation before the patient was lost to follow-up. This case report highlights the role of a thorough systemic evaluation and prompt referral to an internist of the patient presenting with retinal arterial occlusive disease. It also showcases an uncommon presentation retinal arterial occlusion that may occur as an anatomical variant much as the case of a hemiretinal vein occlusion.

Herpes Simplex Keratitis Corneal Perforation: A Case Report

Infectious keratitis of bacterial and fungal etiology is an important cause of visual morbidity in developing countries. If untreated the visual outcome is guarded. Viral keratitis especially of the stromal variant if not treated aggressively with medical and surgical means is a potentially blinding condition. Keratoplasty remains the last resort to salvage such eyes from secondary complications and loss of the eye.

Emerging Lysosomal Functions for Photoreceptor Cell Homeostasis and Survival.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound cell organelles that respond to nutrient changes and are implicated in cell homeostasis and clearance mechanisms, allowing effective adaptation to specific cellular needs. The relevance of the lysosome has been elucidated in a number of different contexts. Of these, the retina represents an interesting scenario to appreciate the various functions of this organelle in both physiological and pathological conditions. Growing evidence suggests a role for lysosome-related mechanisms in retinal degeneration. Abnormal lysosomal activation or inhibition has dramatic consequences on photoreceptor cell homeostasis and impacts extensive cellular function, which in turn affects vision. Based on these findings, a series of therapeutic methods targeting lysosomal processes could offer treatment for blindness conditions. Here, we review the recent findings on membrane trafficking, subcellular organization, mechanisms by which lysosome/autophagy pathway impairment affects photoreceptor cell homeostasis and the recent advances on developing efficient lysosomal-based therapies for retinal disorders.