Breakthrough: London Doctors Cure Childhood Blindness from Rare Disorder Using Gene Therapy
Gene therapy at Moorfields Eye Hospital has restored sight to four toddlers born with severe blindness, allowing them to recognize faces, see shapes, find toys, and in some cases, even read and write.
Life-Changing Results
The treatment involves injecting healthy genes into the retina, improving vision in weeks. Some children have even started to draw and recognize objects they couldn’t before.
Rare Genetic Vision Disorder
The therapy targets Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a condition causing rapid vision loss from birth. Children with LCA are often legally blind at a young age.
How the Therapy Works
The procedure involves keyhole surgery to insert healthy gene copies into the retina, helping retinal cells function properly and improving vision.
A 6-Year-Old’s Life Changed
Jace, a 6-year-old boy from Connecticut, showed significant improvement after receiving the therapy at age two. He can now track objects and react to sunlight.
Early Treatment Matters
Doctors stress that early intervention is crucial for development. With better sight, children can engage with the world and build social skills.
The success of this trial offers hope for more children with genetic vision disorders. Gene therapy could change the future for many suffering from similar conditions.