WORKING ON A CURE FOR AGE-RELATED BLINDNESS

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   Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause for blindness in older people. This disease affects an area of the retina called the macula which is responsible for forming the sharpest images in the eye; hence, degeneration of this region leads to blurry vision. There are two kinds of AMD: dry AMD and wet AMD.
   Dry AMD is the most common form of AMD, and it is caused by the progressive loss of Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells. These cells support the photoreceptors that detect light in the retina and hence are critical to vision. On the other had wet AMD is caused by the continual release of fluid from blood vessels in the retina. Wet AMD is more serious than dry AMD.

   Now the London Project to Cure Blindness is carrying out a trial in which RPE cells derived from stem cells are being transplanted in patients suffering from wet AMD via a patch. These transplants were carried last month and so far everything seems to be fine. The cells seem to be in the correct place and healthy.
   This trial will monitor 10 patients that receive the transplant over the course of 18 months. If this is successful, such technology can be used to treat AMD and hence blindness. The next report of this exciting study will come in late December. So stay tuned!

 

Article summary courtesy of Waleed Khan                                                                                                                                                        

"Medical News Today" Article

 

References:
The London Project to Cure Blindness news release, accessed 29 September 2015.
Additional source: BBC News, Stem cell trial aims to cure blindness, accessed 29 September 2015.
Additional source: Mayo Clinic, Wet macular degeneration - definition, accessed 29 September 2015.
Additional source: National Eye Institute, Facts about age-related macular degeneration, accessed 29 September 2015.

 

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