The most common cause of blindness is age-related macular degeneration. British scientists say they have developed a stem cell procedure that will reverse the effects of the disease.
Age-related macular degeneration begins with characteristic yellow deposits in the macula (the central area of the retina which provides detailed central vision). The treatment involves replacing a layer of degenerated cells with new ones created from embryonic stem cells and was developed by scientists from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and Moorfields eye hospital.
Tom Bremridge, chief executive of the Macular Disease Society, said:
“This is a huge step forward for patients. We are extremely pleased that the big guns have become involved, because, once this treatment is validated, it will be made available to a huge volume of patients.”
By big guns, he's referring to large companies such as Pfizer, which have shown interest in the procedure.
The researchers hope the procedure it will become routine, a one-hour procedure, within six or seven years’ time, on an outpatient basis.
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