Research on blindness is advancing. Recently, blind people have regained their sight.
Yes, this miracle, patients owe it to cell therapy. And it is a team of French doctors, from Lyon exactly, which has just presented its first results to the Academy of Surgery. Since 2007, no less than 26 visually impaired or outright blind people have been operated on. What they have in common is that they all had very damaged corneas. Following infections, rare diseases or even accidents, their corneas no longer let light through. It was opaque.
And they all regained their sight?
Not completely, but the results are still spectacular! More than 60% of patients have better visual acuity. Suddenly, some have even found work. And the pain from corneal ulcers was gone.
So what did the operation consist of?
In fact, the first step is to take cells from the mouths of the sick. Then, 2nd step, these cells are placed in culture for a few weeks, a bit like it is done for severe burns. Finally, they are grafted onto the cornea. This technique has two major advantages: We can finally treat people whose 2 eyes are sick. Because until now, cells were taken from the healthy eye to treat the sick eye. But today we know that the cells of the mouth are very similar to those of the eye.
And the second advantage?
Well, the cultured cells stick to the cornea so well that you don’t have to suture them. This is all less risk of inflammation.
But, could this cell therapy technique restore sight to many people?
No, this is where I am obliged to moderate the hopes that this cell therapy might arouse. There would be, each year in France, about fifty people who would be affected. But, these are patients who are in a total impasse. However, for other forms of blindness, there is also hope. Recently, synthetic corneas have been tested with success. Another interesting lead: the implantation of a chip in the eye. The implant captures images from a camera mounted on glasses and transmits them to the brain.
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