Gene Therapy For Blindness

According to an article by Nsikan Akpan, PhD published on June 12, 2013 on Medicaldaily.com, researchers have developed an easy and effective gene therapy for blindness.

For more details you can read the original article by clicking here.

Scientists have 'engineered' a new, quick gene therapy that can access the deepest part of the eye, the retina. Unlike current procedures being used in clinical trials, the new technique doesn't require an injection step that is potentially dangerous and damaging to the retina.

Inherited diseases of the retina afflict one in 3,000 and can cause partial to total vision loss. They are primarily caused by mutations in light-sensing sensing neurons that populate the outermost layer of the retina. These genetic defects gradually kill these cells or destroy their ability to work, leading to progressive blindness.

Gene therapy has shown much promise in early clinical trials for retinal disease, such as with the childhood disorder called Leber congenital amaurosis. Vision was restored in kids with this disease by using viruses to deliver corrective genetic material to these mutant cells.

While success of these trials has energized researchers in the field, the technique requires injecting the vision-saving viruses directly into the retinal tissue. This is a tedious, time-consuming process that can cause damage to the retina if done incorrectly.

Here at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore, we’re concerned with keeping our Orlando patients’ vision as clear as possible. We also want you and your family to have healthy. You should get your eye exam once or twice a year.