Scientists who are conducting preliminary testing to determine whether using embryonic stem cells can restore vision are now reporting the first signs that the procedure is working and, in fact, helping patients.
The stem cells were used on eighteen subjects, all of whom had been declared legally blind due to Stargardt's macular dystrophy and age-related macular degeneration, which are considered as progressive and incurable eye diseases. Scientists are now saying that the procedure appeared to have improved vision for more than 50% of the subjects. At this point, researchers say that the findings are still in the preliminary stages, but the results are very promising. Despite the limited number of subjects and the short amount of time within which they conducted the testing, the scientists are hopeful about the potential of embryonic stem cell treatment because of the positive results from patients who were not expected to benefit due to excessive loss of vision.
UCLA eye specialist and lead researcher, Dr. Steven Schwartz, said that, "I am astonished that this is working in the way that it is-or seems to be working. I am very excited about it."
The research study builds on the ability of embryonic stem cells to develop into any kind of cell inside the host body. The use of these cells have been explored by scientists over the years to possibly use them intriguing several diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and even paralysis. This study, however, is the first one to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration that produced encouraging results.
During the study, the scientists, who were working with Advanced Cell Technology Inc., transformed human embryonic stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells. They then infused 50,000 to 150,000 of these cells into the subjects' retina. Remarkably, 10 of the 18 subjects were able to start seeing better. "These are patients that didn't see better for 30 years and all of a sudden they're seeing better. It's amazing," said Dr. Schwartz.