Contents
A 58-year-old man, who as an 18-year-old lost his eyesight due to retinal disease, began to see objects around him thanks to modern gene therapy. The therapy uses a modified version of the light-sensitive unicellular algae protein that allows these organisms to detect sunlight and move towards it.
The man had been suffering from retinitis pigmentosa for years. The disease, also known as retinitis pigmentosa, is genetically determined and has its origins in youth. It consists in the deposition of a dye in the retina of the eye and disturbance of circulation within it.
The disturbances initially lead to reduced vision in the evening and at night, to tunnel vision (narrowing the field of view), and finally to complete loss of vision. A man who had undergone experimental therapy for many years saw only light and distinguished it from darkness.
- Night blindness – symptoms and treatment
Algae viruses and genes helped regain vision
AAV vectors, obtained from viruses associated with adenoviruses, were injected into the male body (into the eyeball). In this way, the vectors passed on to the man the genes responsible for the production of light-sensitive proteins. Previously, scientists introduced genes encoding a light-sensing protein into the modified virus. This protein is a modified version of the light-sensitive protein found in unicellular algae and allows them to detect sunlight and move towards it.
- Good eyesight test. Cover your eye and look at the picture
After seven months, the man began to notice objects
The experimental optogenetic vision restoration therapy – as this new method was named, whose lead author is Dr. José-Alain Sahel, a French ophthalmologist and scientist, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania, USA) School of Medicine – is showing promising results. However, vector injection is the first step. In order to achieve the effect of improving eyesight, the man had to train in specialist goggles for a long time.
The goggles stimulated the work of the patient’s eye, projecting flashes of light in front of his eyes corresponding to specific shapes and positions of objects in front of him.
“It was a long time between the injection and the moment the patient started seeing something,” said Dr. José-Alain Sahel. He did not report any improvement in his vision until about 7 months later. But he began to notice a notebook, a glass, white stripes on a pedestrian crossing, and even their number.
Read also:
- Vitamins for the eyes. What to eat to keep your eyesight eagle?
- What do the eyes suffer from?
- Is this a symptom of a diseased liver? A symptom to watch out for
There is still a lot of research ahead of scientists
The experimental optogenetic therapy is currently in the research phase. Its operation was tested on only one patient. But the authors of the method see it as an opportunity for those suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. Although the disease is considered rare, it is estimated that it affects 2 million people worldwide.
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.