Contact Lens Procedure Cures Blindness
<http://www.newsmax.com/health/lens_cures_blindness/2009/05/29/219418.html?utm_medium=RSS>http://www.newsmax.com/health/lens_cures_blindness/2009/05/29/219418.html?utm_medium=RSS Friday, May 29, 2009 9:05 AM By: Sylvia Booth Hubbard Article Font Size [] [] A breakthrough procedure using ordinary contact lenses and a patient's own stem cells promises to cure corneal blindness, according to Australian researchers at the University of New South Wales. The revolutionary procedure, which is simple and inexpensive, may cure millions worldwide since it can even be performed in poor countries. In the United States, over four million people have corneal disease, which is the fourth most common cause of blindness, and over 44,000 corneal transplants are performed annually. The new procedure can be performed under local anesthetic, and the patient can go home in two hours. Small samples of stem cells are taken from the patient's eyes, then grown on an extended-wear contact lens for ten days. The contact lens is inserted in the patient's eye, and within about two weeks the stem cells attach to the cornea and replenish damaged cells. The lens is then removed, leaving the patient with "new eyes." Several patients are still reporting success with the new treatment after eighteen months. Two patients who were legally blind can now read large letters on an eye chart. Another patient who was visually impaired is now able to pass the eye test for a driver's license. Lead researcher Dr. Nick Di Girolamo of the University of New South Wales told the United Kingdom's Daily Mail, "The procedure is totally simple and cheap. Unlike other techniques, it requires no foreign human or animal products, only the patient's own serum, and is completely non-invasive. There's no suturing, there is no major operation. You don't need any fancy equipment." Yes, it's real postage! <http://www.holypostage.com/catalog/index.php> Holy Postage - yes, it's real postage! + <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Custom Faith-based U.S. Postage <*}}}>< + Yes, it's real postage! <http://www.holypostage.com/catalog/index.php> Holy Postage - yes, it's real postage! + <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Custom Faith-based U.S. Postage <*}}}>< + --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
