Scientists in Canada have developed a new technique that may one day help restore some sight to patients with inherited vision impairment. The regenerative therapy works by expressing genes that convert dormant cells into new light-sensing cells in the retina to replace those lost to disease.
Genetic diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa occur when the light-sensing cells in the retina begin to degrade. This impairs a patient’s vision over time, often reducing their ability to detect detail and color, creating a ‘tunnel vision’ effect, and in severe cases can eventually lead to complete blindness.
In a new study, scientists at the University of Montreal have developed a technique that shows promise in reversing vision loss. The team found a way to activate ‘dormant’ cells in the retina to reprogram them into what are called induced neuron cells, which could then be converted into new light-sensing cells to restore lost vision.