Restoring Sight, First Human Optogenetics Test

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  • Retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease slowly causing blindness
  • Optogenetics uses light and gene therapy to control nerve cells
  • First human optogenetics test by Retina Foundation of the Southwest
    • Injecting virus packed light-sensitive algae DNA into blind eye 
  • Aims of the treatment, next month: 
    • Engineer different ganglion (retina) cells DNA to respond to light
    • Provide patients blurry black/white eyesight
  • Involving, 15 patients with retinitis pigmentosa
  • Continue reading at MIT Technology Review 

Posted 10 years ago