Blind man has sight partly restored after pioneering treatment

Man regains ability to recognise objects in first example of successful optogenetic therapy in humansA blind man has had his sight partly restored after a form of gene therapy that uses pulses of light to control the activity of nerve cells – the first successful demonstration of so-called optogenetic therapy in humans.The 58-year-old man, from Brittany in northern France, was said to be “very excited” after regaining the ability to recognise, count, locate and touch different objects with the treated eye while wearing a pair of light-stimulating goggles, having lost his sight after being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa almost 40 years ago.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Neuroscience Blindness and visual impairment Medical research Health Society Disability Source Type: news