Clinical trial to restore sight

Posted 24/05/2012

Two people have had stem cells transplanted into their eyes as part of a clinical trial to restore sight. Both have corneal blindness and until now the only treatment was a transplant of cornea tissue from an organ donor. This procedure, corneal epithelial stem cell transplantation, represents one of the first of a new generation of regenerative therapies.The technique has been developed by Scottish specialists to reverse corneal blindness. It is believed to be the first treatment of its kind in the UK. The study is funded jointly by the UK Stem Cell Foundation and Scottish Enterprise in partnership with the Chief Scientist Office (CSO). Medical professionals believe these therapies could transform medicine over the coming decades.Sophie Bales, a medical injury solicitor at Ashtons Legal comments: “This treatment is the first of its kind and it will be several months before it is known to what extent the procedure has worked. In any event, the progress being made in stem cell transplantation is quite incredible and could lead to many people benefitting in the future”.