The Hindu News Update Service Dell-thehindu_NewsUpdate_EarP/150x501896008 Dell-thehindu_NewsUpdate_EarP/150X503 News Update Service Monday, April 28, 2008 : 1240 Hrs
Sci. & Tech. Vision for future: Gene test offers hope of sight London (PTI): A ray of hope for people with failing eyesight! For the first time, scientists have used gene therapy to safely restore vision in a teenager with a rare form of congenital blindness. Although the patient has not achieved normal vision, the world's first gene transplant for blindness, carried out by a British team, produced an unprecedented improvement in Steven Howarth's sight. They injected genes only into Howarth's worst-affected eye and used the lowest dose in what they claim was strictly a safety trial. "The evidence of his improvement is compelling. It is more than we could have expected at this stage of treatment," said Prof Robin Ali, who led the team at University College of London Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital. In fact, the student suffered from a genetic mutation, called Leber's congenital amaurosis which begins affecting the sight of sufferers in early childhood and eventually causes total blindness during a patient's twenties or thirties. Currently, there is no treatment for the condition. Born with no peripheral or night vision, Howarth noticed a marked improvement after the two-hour operation. "Now, my sight when it's getting dark or it's badly lit is definitely better. It's a small change -- but it makes a big difference." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
