Stem cells used to repair children's eyes after cataracts

ConclusionThis is an exciting study, which shows that a new technique may be a much better alternative for treating babies born with congenital cataracts. It also suggests new ways for scientists to look at tissue regeneration from stem cells in the future.We now need to see the study repeated on a larger scale, to see if the initial results can be replicated. Only 12 children were treated with the new technique in this study, which is a very small set of results to rely on. We also need to see long-term follow up on these children, to find out how long the regenerated lenses continue to be free from cataracts. The suggestion that this treatment may also be suitable for adults should be treated with caution. As the researchers say, age-related cataracts are different from congenital cataracts and there are numerous other reasons why the operation may not work as well – or at all – in older people.However, it's good to report on a surgical breakthrough that seems worthy of the name, in a field of medicine that has the potential to make a huge difference to children's lives (and, in the future, possibly adults as well).  Links To The Headlines Children with cataracts regain sight after radical stem cell treatment. The Guardian, March 9 2016Blindness 'cure' as stem cells grown in lab make rabbits see again. The Sun, March 10 2016'Stunning' operation regenerates eye's lens. BBC News, March 9 2016Stem cell discovery helps babies born with cataracts. The Times, March 10 2016 (...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Genetics/stem cells Medical practice Pregnancy/child Source Type: news