Stem cell research could lead to the reversal of sight loss

It was announced last week that the first ever European trails using embryonic stem cells has been approved by regulators.  Moorfields Eye Hospital in London will start the trails on 12 patients with  Stargardts Disease, a form of macular degeneration, which causes sight loss at an early age.

• Read a previous Vision Web Sight post on the story by clicking here.

The initial trails will take the form of injecting tiny amounts of retinal stem cells into the eye, initially to assess the safety of the procedure.  If this is successful it is hoped that higher doses will help regenerate the damaged retina and restore eyesight, effectively “curing” the disease.

In America, trails in safety of stem cell therapy for people with spinal injuries is already taking place.  Bone marrow transplants using stem cells and the growing of a new windpipe from the patient’s own stem cells have been successful in recent years.

Macular Degeneration (MD) is one of the biggest causes of sight loss (47% in the UK).  It’s thought that if everyone lived long enough, everyone would eventually develop some form of MD and become blind.  Stem cells can regenerate all forms of human tissue, so it is hoped that this treatment could help other forms of degenerative sight loss.

There is some controversy over the use of stem cells in medicine.  It is opposed by Pro-Life groups because the embryo is destroyed when the cells are harvested.

Links:

• BBC News: UK medics lead Europe’s first embryonic stem cell trial
• Guardian online: First trial of embryonic stem cell treatment in Europe gets green light

Best of British - Channel 4 documentary follows 2012 Paralympics hopefuls

Tonight on Channel 4 a new three part documentary starts. "Best of British" follows hopefuls for the London 2012 Paralympics GB team.  The first programme follows three blind footballers, fighting to make the GB squad.

"The first film in the series follows Dave Clarke, Robin Wiliams and Owen Bainbridge from the British Blind Football squad.
As well as following the highs and lows of team selection and the squad's performance, the film also meets the players' families.
What's it like for the players to have sighted family members and children, and what is it like for those families to have blind sons, brothers and fathers?"

Quote from the Channel 4 web site

Owen Bainbridge is a good friend of mine and was one of my lodge mates during my time at the Royal National College for the Blind.  As the camera crew followed him in his daily life, they also interviewed me.  So you might alsao see me on the programme.  Fame at last!