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Stem Cells Cure Blindness
The Controversy
Earlier this November, scientists from the University College London Institutes of Ophthalmology and Child Health and Moorfields Eye Hospital were able to restore vision to blind lab mice. This scientific breakthrough signifies that millions of people with optical conditions such as macular degeneration (loss of sight experienced by the elderly), diabetic retinopathy, and a variety of other forms of blindness could be able to regain sight through a remarkably simple procedure. However, the fact that the procedure requires stem cells from foetuses—currently viewed as a highly controversial method by many politicians—has prevented this procedure from becoming more publicized in the U.S. (1).
The Breakthrough
Researchers have identified certain cells on the margin of adult retinas that are similar to stem cells. Additionally, retinal cell replacement may be the most effective method of "cell transplant therapy because photoreceptor loss initially leaves the rest of the wiring to the brain intact” (1). In other words, major surgical reconstruction is not necessary. Any surgical procedure would only involve the superficial layer of the retina and not the particularly sensitive optic nerve wiring at the back of the eye. However, in order to attain human retinal cells at the necessary stage of development, stem cells would need to be extracted from a foetus during the second trimester of pregnancy (1). Because stem cells are able to proliferate and develop into many other types of cells within the human body, they can be extracted from any part of the foetus. However, the timing is imperative if the procedure is to work.
Three Blind Mice… See How the Procedure Works...
1. Early stage retinal stem cells were extracted from a 3 to 5 day old newborn mouse (1).
2. The retinal cells were transplanted onto the retinal surface of a blind mouse whose condition was genetically programmed to resemble the gradual loss of sight characteristic to the human disease retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration (1).
3. The cells embed themselves and connected with other cells on the retina of blind mouse. Within 30 minutes the photoreceptors from the retinal stem cells implanted themselves and fused electrical connections with the animals' existing retinal nerve cells (3). As a result, the formerly blind mice's pupils began to respond to light and there was activity in the optic nerve (indicating that the eye was transmitting signals to the brain) (1).
Anatomy & Physiology of the Eye: Photoreceptors
The retina (around 0.5 mm thick) lines the back of the eye. It is lined with a network vascular blood vessels and neurons that gradually channel towards the optic nerve which contains the ganglion cell axons that connect the ganglion cells to the brain. The ganglion cells—the neurons of the retina that transmit images to the brain—are located in the innermost region of the retina and extend toward the lens, or anterior portion of the eye (2). The photoreceptors—the rod and cone shaped cells—are situated toward the outermost portion of the retina and are closer to the back of the eye (5). As a result, light must penetrate the nerve cells within the retina before reaching and activating the rods and cones. Once reached, the rods and cones absorb photons through their visual pigments and translate the photons into a biochemical message and then into an electrical message that stimulates all of the succeeding neurons of the retina. Consequently, “the retinal message concerning the photic input and some preliminary organization of the visual image into several forms of sensation are transmitted to the brain [by] the spiking discharge pattern of the ganglion cells” (2). From then on the brain is responsible for identifying, processing and interpreting the visual image (2).
Candidates for retinal cell replacement surgery must have some retinal cone and rod photoreceptors intact (1) . The retinal cell replacement surgery primarily serves to repair the nerve synapses in the retina, the macula lutea, and the fovea. The surgery cannot generate new photoreceptors.
The surgery mainly repairs the macula and the fovea. The macula functions as a short wavelength filter while the fovea, characterized by a dark circular area towards the back of the eye, is considered to be the most vital portion of the retina. Like the lens, it functions as “a protective mechanisms for avoiding bright light and especially ultraviolet irradiation damage” (2). The fovea is entirely composed of a mosaic cone photoreceptors that are arranged in a hexagonal structure. Outside of the foveal pit, the density of cone photoreceptors becomes increasingly more balanced with that of rod photoreceptors. There is a peak in the density of rod photoreceptors at about 4.5mm (or 18 degrees) from the foveal pit where the rod photoreceptors arrange themselves in a ring around the fovea (5). (Naturally, the optic nerve (the blindspot) is entirely free of photoreceptors) (5). If the macula or fovea cones are damaged (as happens gradually over many years), instant blindness results (2). However, macular degeneration could be easily remedied since stem cells take only about half an hour to develop into photoreceptors.
Repairing the Cornea
In August of 2003, Mike May, a Californian man who had been left blind for 40 years as the result of an accident that happened when he was three years old had his vision restored. Though the vision in his left eye was permanently lost, he could still sense light with his right eye. Researchers implanted corneal and limbal stem cells into his right eye. Five months after the surgery, May was able to sense movements and recognize simple shapes. After two years, he was able to see forms, color, and motion nearly accurately. His 3D perception and face and object recognition remained impaired, though his ability to sense motion was the best restored visual faculty (4).
Like photoreceptors, the cornea is responsible for channelling light through the eye's surface. The corneal surface refracts to provide 2/3 of the eye's focusing power. he corneal surface is entirely transparent and not lined with blood vessels, so the uniformity of cells may contribute to its ability to regenerate more rapidly than other cells in the human body. On the other hand, it is extremely sensitive. There are more nerve endings on the cornea than anywhere else on the human body (6). The cells that compose the layers of the cornea are found to regenerate at a rapid pace, though less rapid than photoreceptor cells. Again, a simple surgical procedure, most of which is processed by human mechanisms, could restore sight to millions of people if only the procedure were to be legalized.
(1) "Cell transplants 'restore sight.'" BBC International News Online. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6120664.stm)
(2) Simple Anatomy of the Retina. (http://webvision.med.utah.edu/sretina.html)
(3) "Cell Transplants Restore Vision in Mice." Live Science. (http://www.livescience.com/healthday/535968.html)
(4) "Cell Transplant Restores Vision." BBC International News Online. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3171993.stm)
(5) Photoreceptors. (http://webvision.med.utah.edu/photo1.html)
(6) "Cornea." Eye Anatomy. (http://www.stlukeseye.com/anatomy/Cornea.asp)
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| This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated. |
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Comments
Regarding your retina problem
Hi,
You can contact beike biotech to reach good eye hospitals in china. Beike biotech is doing some stem cell therapies (you can find several references in www.stemcellschina.com) in China. But, i am not sure about the success rate. My baby affected with ROP stage 5 and i am working on finding good hospitals for her treatment.
Thanks
Kiran
Did you get any cure for your
Did you get any cure for your child?
Which hospital would you recommend. Please let us know.
Thanks.
contact me at
contact me at babydakota@googlemail.com and i will point you in the right direction.
optic nerve damage from neurosarcoidosis lesions
We would like to know more about optic nerve stem cell treatment in China. My husband lost vision in his right eye 8 years ago to neurosarcoidosis. I read about baby dakota's success and would like to hear more good news. Thanks
cone dystrophy
HI i have a brother and sister who were born with cone dystrophy i was just wondering if there is any cure for this condition and if there is anything we can do for them please if there is any new information to pass along i would greatly appreciate it thank you.
Optic nerve damage
My father is completely blind after a horrific 3 story fall. He can not see ANYTHING, no light etc, and it has been over 2 yrs now. Would the treatments in China benefit him? He would be happy to see anything, something, even if it were just ONE of his eyes. Please respond if you have any info.
Than you :-)
Optic Nerve Atrophy
5 years ago I had an accident with my motorcycle. since then I have lost the Peripheral vision of my left eye and i can see blurry from my right eye. Doctor said i have optic nerve atrophy and that there is no cure for this. Does anyone now if there is a cure for optic nerve atrophy. I can see that many other people in the forum have aske the same question if you get an answer please e-mail me Thanks.
My daughter is 16 years old
My daughter is 16 years old and we went thru Beike Bio-tech for stem cell injections about a year ago and her vision has improved quite a bit. 20/400 to 20/80. She has optic nerve hypoplasia. Since we have been back we have been contacted by others who have had this done for similar reasons some of which you all have been speaking about in earlier comments. Its worth looking into check out stemcellschina.com If I can help in anyway please contact me and I started a yahoo group for people who have gone to China, people who are going, and people who are there right now. It really helps to have others to communicate with since this is so new to all of us. There is hope and there are many of us who will help. Good luck with your journey.
Love Shel
about rod-cone-dystrophy
Hi i read about your daughter treatment in china I have 23 years old son who have rod-cone-dystrophy i would like to treatment him in china but i dont know about that thats why could you write me little bit more about that becausr you already been there and please write me about your daughter condition thanks
my brothers and sons going blind...
Hello. I just read your blog and really appreciate that you have put yourself out there to help others. My 2 brothers and my 2 young sons are going blind from a disease called Choroideremia. It is very rare and there is no cure or treatment at the moment. Time is ticking and we are running desperate.Frustrated by the US red tape, we are searching elsewhere. Any advice/info you could offer would be helpful and greatly appreciated. Thank you.
ROP
Hi,
I would like to be part of your group,my nephew has ROP and we would like to understand about this treatment done in China.Do you have the adress of the clinic there?
Thanks
Luisa
stem cell research
Hi Rochelle
i am excited by your comments and admire your bravery in taking your daughter to China. We have a 15year old son, who is starting his exam coursework. He tries so hard, coping with very poor eyesight due to optic nerve atrophy and cerebral palsy. He is in mainstream school surrounded by able children and sometimes becomes very depressed and begs me to find a way to help him see better. Please can you give me any information about contacts that you think may help us find some way to improve his situation. His vision is by far his biggest problem with his education because he copes well with his wheelchair but cannot see friends at school across the yard or experiments in the labs etc.
Many thanks for such an encouraging message,
Mel D
Contact info
That is really encouraging.. can you please share your email?
or you can write to me at ash_rs@hotmail.com . i need help finding more about this
MY SON IS BLIND
HELLO i HAVE 2 YEARS OLD BOY WITH 5 STAGE OF ROP-I READ ABOUTSTEM CELL TREATMENT IN CHINA-IM VERY INTERSSTED ABOUT IT -CAN YOU GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION-IF YOU WANT YOU CAN SEND ME SOME PICTURE OR VIDEO
THANK YOU
Eye patients that went to China.
There is a new group called Stem Cell Awareness which has a couple founders that had stem cell treatments for eyes in China. You can contact them there at www.stemcellaware.com.
Also there is a group of mostly ONH patients and some ONA, ROP patients that had or have had treatments mostly in China so you can get the real story on their discussion group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stemcellchina_onh_sod/.
Stem cells and what they done for us
Hi Guys, some you may have heard the story of my daughter Dakota, who was born with Septo optic Dysplasia. Along with everything else health wise (hormonal imbalance, Diabetes insipidus, etc) she was diagnosed with light perception only. We took Dakota to China in Feb this year for stem cell treatment in Qingdao, organized via a company called Beike Biotech. We stayed in China from 1st Feb to 1st of March, Dakota received 6 intravenous infusions of ADULT stem cells (taken from umbilical cord blood, not the controversial foetal stem cells). Since receiving the treatment Dakota has gone from light perception to now identifying objects at a distance of 6 feet. Immediately after our return, that limit was 3.5 feet, so improvements are still being shown. It also cleared up a bowel problem she had for 2 years, that our top children's doctors could not get to the bottom of. Now I fully understand that the western medical opinion is "don't go to China, your wasting your time", but and I cannot stress this enough, without this treatment my daughter would still not see the world around her. She has gone from shy, introverted child,to happy bubbly outgoing toddler. She is walking by herself, she has so much more confidence in everything she does.
Stem cell treatment for humans will not be available here for many many years to come, Yet China are streaking ahead. I urge anyone that is interested in this to check it out. I can wholeheartedly say it made a miraculous improvement in Dakota's quality of life. Anyone who wants to get in touch with me please feel free to do so. I'm happy to speak with any and all who want to look into this more. You can contact me via Dakota's website www.babydakota.org, or direct to my email at babydakota@googlemail.com. There are videos on the siteof Dakota since our return home.
Im in no way trying to sell anything here, im a normal everyday average joe who wanted to give my daughter every chance in life. I am just trying to do the same for others.
Husband blind in left eye
My husband was shot by a pellet gun in his left eye when he was 6 years old. He has had to make many adjustments in his life to adapt to this complication. He does not complain but it really hurts to know that he has missed out on so much in his life. Now we have a baby girl and I fear everyday that something could happen to his good eye in his line of work and that he may not see his kids grow up. It pains to see him get migraines and have neck pain related to this accident. He stumbles on things and is unable to be a pilot which would be his lifelong dream. He once wanted to become a policeman but cannot without 20/20 correctable vision. He says he wouldn't want to ever have surgery but I think it could greatly improve things for him. Please continue this research and let us know when it becomes a reality for all of our loved ones.
Optic Nerve Atrophy
My husband had leukemia and underwent several chemotherapy treatments. As a result of the chemotherapy, he has lost all of his central vision - he has some of his periphery vision. All in all, he has lost 80% of his vision. A neuro-opthamologist diagnosed him with Optic Nerve Atrophy. He said, that in this case, there was nothing that could be done for my husband and added that it would be 20-30 years before " a cure was found" Was he correct or is would stem cells benefit my husband?
homonymus hemianopia
Suffering from homonymus hemianopia after a surgery to remove clotting in the brain after a head injury in india in 1989. Kindly advise
blindness from hypertension
Are they're any research groups accepting any subjects for stem cell research or other research treating blindness due to occular pressure from hypertension? Newly blinded at 42 yrs of age with very little hope for the future.
Blindness in left eye
Yes I have this same problem-can you please tell me if I can have normal vision again with stem cell therapy?
Thank you
I was born with my left eye blind
Hey, I'm 12 years old and I suffer from "Lazy Eye" or Amblyopia. Although Lazy eye is still seeing, but nearsighted, I cannot see at all. Please tell me if these stem cells can help me cure this since my pituitary disorder in my left eye never grew. e-MAIL asap PLEASE!!!!!
My baby
Hi,
I live on the Island Jamaica. I have a 2 year old infant who has been diagnosed with MACULAR HYPOPLASIA can you please let me know if you can help my baby.
Thank you.
ROP Stage V
Dear Sir/ Madam
I'm a father of twin baby girls and from India,my elder daughter (Twins) has efftected by ROP stage V. At this stage operation was performed and summary is given below.
Abstract:
Present age 18-month-old female infant presented with advanced retinopathy of prematurity(ROP). She was born after 28 weeks of gestation with the birthweight of 1.75kgs. ROP was detected 4 months.When diagnosed by doctors in India, both eyes had total retinal detachment.
Date of Birth:17 July'2007
The both eyes were diagnosed with stage V.
ROP (Stage V) both eyes:
S/P Lens + VIT+SOI-Left eye, date of surgery 2-11-2007
Lensectomy + VITRECTOMY- Right eye date of surgery 01-01-2008
Please can some one give advice on stem cells surgery!
ROP Stage V
Hello Sir,
Please visit www.stemcellschina.com for more information on stem cell therapy for ROP treated children. My baby is also having the same problem, but doctors are rejecting to perform surgery to my baby. Could you please let me know where this surgery has performed to your baby in India?
Many thanks in advance....
KiranS
retinal stem cells
Hello,
I lost my sight in my right eye over 3 years ago in a car accident. I am very interested in attempting stem cell treatments to restore my vision. I will get to London as soon aspossible and am bouyed by your excellent results in the lab. Pleas allow me to be involved in your experiments.
Thank you very much,
Alicia Bebout
optic nerve not developed
my one year son's optic nerve is not developed fully as the doctor's told us that he can see only 10% but when we call him he is only smiling but not looking at us please help us. we have heard that there are surgeries which are very costly but can somebody help us in which we will be very grateful to them.
optic nerve damage
My son ,4 yrs now had a similar problem like your child having 10% vision.Have gone for stemcell treatment? please reply me.
Thanks and regards,
deepa
my son
hi, my 17 year old son was involved in car accident 12 days ago and his doctor told us that his optic nerve is damaged and he cant see with his right eye anymore. the nerve still has blood in it but they say it will change within feew weeks. is there any way that his sight can be saved? please let me know.
Can you help me?
Hi! The 1/2 right side of my right eye is blind and I was just wondering if these people could help me. I was 23 when and SUV hit me on my crotchrocket, and he had Cocaine in his system. It was definatley his fault. lol! I can not find the address of this place. How much will it possibly cost me?
I had a similar accident
I had a similar accident with your son 5 years ago. My eyes also had blood and it need about 5 months not just a few weeks for the blood to go off and to have a clear vision at least as clear as it could be because my optic nerve is damaged in both eyes. Doctor said I have "optic nerve atrophy" but could diagnose these only when my eyes where clear from blood. At This time i am also searching internet if there is a cure for optic nerve atrophy because in my country none can do anything
need to know?
I have glaucoma and autoimmune disorder i am wondering if stem cells can repair my vision but also with out me rejecting the stem cells and if my body did reject the stem cells what would my possible out come be?
my brother has gloclumablind
my brother has gloclumablind in one eye almost blind in the other
I have embryos
My daughter is legally blind, 7 years old due to Retinopathy of prematurity. I have frozen embryos which I need to decide what to do with. Could they be used to help her with her vision in one of these research centers? Who is closest to starting human trials? Does anyone know?
Retina detachment and ROP Stage 4-5
I would like to find out if the stem cell treatment in China is effective for my son who is 9 years old and have ROP stage 4-5 as well as retina detachment, he is blind on his left eye? I really hope he can gain more vision, so he will not be bully and he can do what other kids do.
Thank you
Is there any cure of Rod Cone Dystrophy
Hi There,
My daughter has a Rod Cone Dystrophy. Can somebody tell me about the Cure/Treatment of this disease.
I shall be very very grateful to you and your help will be highly appreciated.
And you will be giving me new life by telling me cure of this disease for my daughter.
Thanks a Lot.
choroldial melanoma
i have had chorodial melanoma in my left eye after radiation treatment i lost my vision in my left can stem cell help replenish my vision in my eye just wondering would love to be able to see out of both eyes again
13 year old son with optic nerve damage due to brain tumor
In July 2006 my son's vision started to show symptoms, he would no longer read regular print. In August 2006 he was diagnosed with a brain tumor "ependymoma" which was removed after two surgeries, followed by chemo & radiation which all ended in march 2007. Luckly his vision is not worse but is not getting better. He is categorized legally blind since he can not see print smaller than 26 bold font. I was wondering if stem cell would be able to help him in recovering some of his vision.
Thanks,
Rocio Andrade
Vision Failing: Hopeful for a Cure
Everyone's stories are so overwhelming. The minute I start feeling sorry for myself and my vision situation, I get slapped with a dose of reality by reading some of these other stories.
I am a 25-year-old female who has been battling an eye condition for a little over 10 years. I've been to many doctors here in the St. Louis (Missouri) area... they can all agree on one thing - my vision is poor and they aren't sure how bad it will get - but they can't agree on a diagnosis. I've been told I have Retinal Foveal Pattern Dystrophy (?) and a few others said Cone Dystrophy. I have loss of central vision - which makes it very difficult to do normal every-day tings: like read a fast food menu, read a book, see emails, focus on planes in the sky, play board games or cards, using those credit card swipes at stores, etc. It's like I have to look slightly above something to see it best... and even then I can't see detail well. I read best with magnifiers in dim lighting. Some people may consider me "blind", but although I struggle with this vision problem in my everyday life, I consider myself very lucky. Currently, I am still able to drive (with restrictions of course... and I still feel safe driving), so I really feel for the 19-year old guy who cannot drive anymore. It truly breaks my heart... b/c I don't know how much longer my eyesight will hold out.
I've heard about the stem-cell research and have been flooded with wonderful dreams/feelings about how my life might be with improved vision. I cry thinking about it how great it would be to just feel "normal"... and not have to be embarrased by what I can't see, or can't do.
Could I be a canidate to receive these stem cells (if ever legalized i the states)?. If not, I am still so glad this ingenius break through may mean improved eye sight for others! Just to think of the joy they could/might feel brings me to tears. I feel very passionately for eveyone's unique situation....
I am so hopeful for a cure for myself and everyone else as well.
I'd love to hear from people going through similar struggles (I do not know anyone).
Thanks!
M.W.
Now you know someone
Quote (I'd love to hear from people going through similar struggles (I do not know anyone).
My daughter, she is 5 years old, the day before yesterday her doctor told me she have Retinal Dystrophy and it may get worse, I was reading your post like she is the one who wrote it , I am deeply touched ‘cause she have the same personality of your, that shows between your words and lines, feeling others’ pain like it is hers, very caring and tender kid , actually she is my rock ,and I feel sad for what is going on with her , I am praying everyday for her to get better and feel normal, even though she is and will be the most perfect person in my eyes, will keep a part in my prayer for you too, and will never gave up hope for a 100% medical cure.
Hey there, my name is
Hey there, my name is Shannon, I'm 22 years old and I was born with ROP or Retinopathy of Prematurity. I was born 3 months early and weighed only 1 lb and 6 oz. Thankfully the doctors in the NIC-U caught this disease and performed CryoTherapy on my right eye. This freezing of the blood vessels corrected my vision in my right eye from legally blind to near sighted. (20/70 without corrective lenses.) But just having this then "experimental surgery" done only on my right eye, left me completely blind in my left eye. If the doctors would of know back then that it was possible to do this surgery on both the babies eyes, I would of seen out of both, not perfectly, but at least I would have seen out of my left also. Now, I am not able to drive a car, see things like menus, ect from "normal" distances even with glasses on!!!
.....so I was wondering if you knew if this Stem cell implants in China would work for my condition or not???
Thank you for reading and good luck! Never lose hope!!!
If you would like you may reply by my e-mail
Sincerely,
Shannon S.
Keep the faith, Im 46 and
Keep the faith, Im 46 and was told I have Fuch's Dystrophy I know your fears. I to live in the St Louis area Im a firefighter in the area. Feel free to email me
homonymous hemianopia
My husband had a stroke in october 2008, that left him with homonymous hemianopia in there a treatment for this.
homonymous hemianopia
I too got Homonymus Hemianopia after a surgery I undervent to remove a clot in the brain because a road accident. It is for the first time I have heard of anyone facing the agony undergone by me. I have searched net and consulted many specialists, but could not find anything to rescue. In case you are able to find any way of improvement, Kindly advise. Wish you early recovery. Gulati, New Delhi.
Our daughter, Tiana, is 5yrs
Our daughter, Tiana, is 5yrs old and was born with severe bilateral Optic nerve hyperplasia. I would love to hear from anyone with any information on cures and treatments.She wears glasses to enhance the minimal she has and is learning to use her cane 'rosie' and also learning braille. We would appreciate any information...
Please help us!!
Hayley
strokes to the optic nerve
I have had 2 strokes to the optic nerve, one in each eye. The first one occurred in my left eye about ten days after my mother's death. The second one almost one year later the night of my father's death. The first stroke was mild by comparison to the second one. I can no longer drive and itis almost impossible to read without some kind of aid. I have lost almost all of my color vision which was particularly sad because I had only recently discovered that I was a quite talented artist. I am grateful that I can still reach but it is becoming increasingly harder because of my sight. My acuity is very poor and I have lost a great deal of my peripheral vision which can be very dangerous. I went for accupuncture for a few years and tried all different types of herbs . It helped me psychologically but it took a large toll on me and my family financially. In addition teaching is beginning to require a eidiculous amount of paper work and I find it hard to keep up! I miss my old life. I was alwayss so spontaneous and independent. Now, I'm so dependent on others and often can't get to do many of the simpke things in life that I love most. I am always researching for some type of hope and I am angry like you at those "Do Gooders" who continue to obstruct our "vision". I was hopeful when Obama ran and was elected but now I'm afraid that this whole financial mess will totally obsxure this issue and create new priorities. Reading your words gave me renewed hope. I am glad that there are dedicated people like you. By the way my name is Gail Wenger and I am 61 years old, This happened to me when I was 56 and 57 yeats old. I have taught for almost thirty years now and I am not ready to retire but I work in a toxic environment with a primcipal who rules through fear and intimidation. I have never revealed the extent og my disability. I amamzed that I have been able to do so but it comes with a price. I am extremely frustrated most of the time and depressed. I am lucky that I can compensate. I am very creative and was the arts coordinator for my school district (35 schools) in the Bronx, N.Y. Recent, I webt to another neuro-opthomologist about Nove Vision but it wasn't encouraging. I have 2 N.A.I.O.N.'s and he mentioned rhe word atrophy which I hadn't heard before. He patted my on my shoulder and took awayy any hope that I might have and sent me on my way! I cried a lot that day as I have on m,any other days. But I am a reacher who never gives up, I even reached out to doctors and accupunturists in China and I am in contact with them if some cure or treatment becomes avaiable. One of the reasons I want to continue to work is that I want to be able to afford tratment which I am afraid will be very expensive and I consider myself a young 61 year old. I am hoping that you can offer me renewed hope and treatment options. It would be a dream come true. Right now I have nightmares of losing the job that I have loved and not being able to pay my bills, Please answer my email and give me hope, I am very resourceful. I will help youin any way I can nut please help me!
loss of vision in the left eye due to damge to optic nerve
in the year 2/2008 while crossing the road i was fallen down on face resulted in loss of vision in left eye and after diognasis and VEP test it is stated that the optic nerve has been damaged due to increase in pressure in the eye due to sudden falling down..kindly advise needful in the matter
optic nerve atrphy
help i have ona and i am looking for a cure
so if you know of anything please contact
stem cell research
my fifteen year old granddaughter has cone dystrophy since she was eight. i an wondering what the latest news is on stem cell research for this problem, or how soon will you think there will be clinical trials? thank you for relying to my e-mail.
Hope for a cure soon :(
I also suffer from retinal dystrophy which means i'm slowly losing my sight.
I've already lost a lot of my peripherial vision.
But the doctor told me there is no cure and that i will have to learn to live with the condition.
This provides a lot of hope that I won't lose all my vision.
I wish they would hurry up and find a cure as time is not on our side.