Gene Therapy Could Cure Eye Disorder


New research suggests that gene therapy could could cure a range of inherited eye disorders including full colour blindness. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to restore and improve the vision of dogs with achromatopsia, commonly known as full colour blindness. Researchers now believe that gene therapy could also be used to successfully treat humans with the same eye problem.

Achromatopsia affects cone shaped photoreceptors in the eye's retina. Impairment of these cones can lead to full colour blindness and can affect the central vision of the eye causing vision loss. Achromatopsia alone is thought to affect up to 1 in every 30,000 people.

Scientists have found that after gene therapy, inner retinal cells were able to process signals from cells that had been damaged. As a result, researchers were able to use gene therapy to restore vision in dogs with the condition. The dogs who were treated were still enjoying the benefits of the therapy 33 months after the study began. Researchers hope that their findings can now be developed in order to treat humans.

22nd April 2010

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