Stem cells op gives millions hope of cure for blindness
Video at link: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/608565/stem-cell-blindness-cure-hope-Lyndon-Da-Cruz
Professor Lyndon Da CruzGETTY
Professor Lyndon Da Cruz of London's Moorfield Eye Hospital made the breakthrough. The 60-year-old woman, who had severely impaired sight and was in danger of going blind, is said to have had no complications so far following the three-hour operation last month.
The surgical team hopes to determine how successful the treatment was by early December.
The woman has asked to remain anonymous.
The scientists behind the pioneering procedure hope it will dramatically transform lives, allowing the blind to recognise faces of loved ones again and regain the ability to carry out everyday tasks like reading and driving.
Stem cell scientific use
The use of stem cells in medical research is still a controversial ethical question. Professor Lyndon Da Cruz carried out the stem cell operation at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The procedure involves taking a single stem cell from an embryo and growing it into a “patch” of cells that can be transplanted into the eye.
Experts hope to be able to reverse vision loss in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
It affects a quarter of over 60s and more than half of over 75s.
The condition causes loss of central vision, usually in both eyes.
Professor Lyndon Da Cruz
Professor Da Cruz said he will know in around two or three months if the treatment was a success. Vision becomes increasingly blurred, colours appear less vibrant and familiar faces become difficult to recognize. It affects more than 600,000 people in the UK and is the leading cause of blindness in adults, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
The woman who underwent the operation is one of 10 patients taking part in the pioneering trial.
Other patients will undergo surgery over the next 18 months.
A woman researching stem cellsGETTY
The procedure involves growing a cell into a “patch” of cells that can be transplanted into the eye
Each has a form of the disease known as “wet AMD” which is more serious than “dry AMD”.
Without treatment vision can deteriorate in days. It is the first time experts have used the “patch” technique with embryonic cells. The cells were taken from donated embryos that were created during IVF treatment but never used.
Professor Da Cruz said he hoped to get some idea if the technique was working within three months.
