Gene therapy reverses sight loss and is long-lasting

[ScienceRocks]

Gene therapy reverses sight loss and is long-lasting

A team at Oxford University is treating a rare disorder called choroideremia. The disorder affects young men whose light-detecting cells in the backs of their eyes are dying because they have inherited a faulty gene.

The therapy involves injecting a working copy of the gene into the back of the eyes to help cells regenerate.

The study also indicates that the treatment is long-lasting. The first patient received the therapy four and a half years ago and his treated eye has shown no drop-off in vision. Indeed, there are still slight improvements in his vision in that eye.


Prof MacLaren says that if the next phase of larger trials goes as he anticipates, a gene therapy for choroideremia will be licensed in three years.
He has also begun to develop gene therapy trials to treat more common forms of blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. These could begin as early as next year.

Good news!!!

 

[ScienceRocks]

Somehow, I don't believe the dumb loserterian when he whines about science being a waste and a boondogoooo...Well, this is part of the reason why.

 

[waltky]

... the blind receive their sight...

Man receives electronic eyes in successful surgery
Sat, Apr 15, 2017 - LOOKING FORWARD: The procedure is currently only able to restore vision to 0.01, but experts are optimistic about the rapid rate of technological advances

A man successfully underwent surgery for electronic eyes last month, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital said on Thursday, and doctors expect to connect the device to a power source by the end of the month. The “eye” functions like a miniature camera, said Huang Yi-hsiu, a doctor at the hospital’s Artificial Electronic Eye Center in the Department of Ophthalmology. Surgeons implanted microcomputers, antennae and microchips in the 41-year-old patient’s eyes, which are to send signals to the brain through active optical nerves.

The antennae receive wireless signals sent by a pair of glasses, which serve as lenses would in a camera, Huang said. The electronics are minuscule and would not cause the patient discomfort, Huang said, adding that they are charged wirelessly. Patients in other countries have worn similar devices that have been effective for at least nine years, Huang said, adding that the patient, surnamed Kao, would be able to “see” and live his life after two or three months of therapy. The method is only able to restore vision to a hazy 0.01 — as though a mosaic effect has been applied, or like colorless images from early cameras — but it is still a significant improvement for nearly blind patients, Huang said.

The 41-year-old recipient of vision-enhancing electronic implants, right, is accompanied by Huang Yi-hsiu, a doctor at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital’s Department of Ophthalmology in New Taipei City​

Now these people could see where they are walking and what eating utensils they need, Huang said, adding that they could also see well enough to avoid walking into poles or walls. Some patients might see the wrong shapes — like blocks instead of the ball they were asked to hold during tests — and therefore must continue to undergo therapy until their visual memories return, Huang said, adding that for now, they should use touch to help with their rehabilitation. Huang said that at this rate, artificial eye technology would improve rapidly over the coming years.

However, not everyone is eligible for the procedure, Huang said. People whose optic nerves have not completely atrophied and can still see some dim light, or who have been blind for a short time, could undergo the surgery, Huang said, adding that it costs NT$9 million (US$296,809). Huang said that Kao was selected for the procedure because he is younger and was only nearly blind for two years, and because it was funded by the Hung Lu Foundation. Kao had to leave his job as a supervisor at a construction company after he developed retinal dystrophy and went nearly completely blind.

Man receives electronic eyes in successful surgery - Taipei Times

 

[Old Rocks]

There are so many new cures today, both biological and mechanical. I think that with nanotech, we will be seeing the blending of those by 2030.

 

[ScienceRocks]

There are so many new cures today, both biological and mechanical. I think that with nanotech, we will be seeing the blending of those by 2030.

Hopefully,,,I say hopefully because the loserterians and other religious types are probably going bitch and attempt to regulate it out of use....Funny how these no government types love government when it does there idiotic shit normally hurts people far more then any liberal policy ever could. We could cure sight loss, we could cure cancer, and we could reduce the chances of heart disease with gene therapy! But they'll scream GODDD, GODDD, GOODDD,,,Yes, the American taliban is that dumb,.

China will probably do it and be the world power by 2030 simply for the fact they understand the importance of investment in their people.