Optogenetics is the name given to a process that has just been carried out on a blind lady in Texas. She suffers from pigmentosa which is a disease that kills off the retinas light sensitive cells. If the trials are successful, the light sensing cells will be created again, and sight will be restored.
The ganglion cells in the lady’s eyes will be made light sensitive, and this is as a result of DNA from algae that is light sensitive itself being injected into her eye. There is hope that if this is successful, it could be used to treat Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s.
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The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research neuroscientist Todd Sherer finds this fascinating as it is so easy to work on the eye due its accessibility. The eye that had already been treated is going to be monitored for the next year, and there could be another three doses of the therapy given. There will also be checks for side effects.
Perfect vision is not expected, but there should be some vision. The hope is that they will know someone is near them or being able to get across the street. The trial is ongoing, and 14 additional patients involved, and they will not just be people who do not have a lot of vision, but some who are profoundly blind and do not have light sensitivity. Dr. Birch, who carried out the first treatment, tells the future patients they are pioneers and are taking a big step forward but without guarantees.