Scientists working at the University of California, serving in the USA, conducted a remarkable research on “genetic blindness” called leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). As a result of the researches, it was understood that retinoid treatment applied in infancy can also work in adult individuals. Experts say this research means that blindness untreated in infancy can be treated in adulthood.
LCA is an inherited disease transmitted through genes. Caused by a gene defect in the retina, the disease manifests as little or no vision in infancy. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent blindness. Here, the latest research has revealed that the techniques applied for LCA are not only specific to infancy. This may be a new hope for people who are blind.
It is not yet clear how effective the research is
Scientists working on adult mice adapted the treatment method applied in infancy to adults. Experts injecting synthetic components into the eye continued this process for a week. Examining the behavior of the mice for 27 days after the treatment was completed, the experts started seeing results by the ninth day after the treatment. Adult mice with genetic blindness had begun to respond to light. Sunil Gandhi of the University of California states that the findings are surprisingly good. So much so that the activity of the nerves that allow the mice to see increased 2 times in the first stage and 5 times after a while after the treatment.
Although the research is promising, it has important shortcomings. So much so that the level of vision of the treated mice is not exactly known. Experts are now chasing this issue. As a result of the studies to be done, if it is determined how much mice can see, the scope of the research can be expanded and tests on humans can begin.
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