British surgeons have developed a groundbreaking surgery that may help restore vision of people diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Age-related macular degeneration is a vision loss characterized by the gradual or sudden damage on the macula, a part of the retina that is responsible for central vision. Without it, a person would lose the ability to see straight ahead. Although it can develop at any time, macular degeneration occurs usually during old age, specifically when men and women are already 50 years old and above. It is the most common cause of vision loss among this age group.
AMD, which comes in different forms and stages, doesn't have any cure. Treatments such as AREDS and AREDS2 are based on the combination of certain supplements like beta carotene, zinc, and vitamin C. No treatment can be applicable to people who have been diagnosed in the early stages of the disease.
But there may be hope.
Doctors at Morofields Eye Hospital are currently conducting a trial using embryonic stem cells. These embryos came from in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics that have never been utilized and have been donated.
In this novel technique, the doctors re-create the pigment epithelium cells using the stem cells. The developed cells are then the ones that are placed in the damaged areas of the macula.
So far, the technique has already been carried out in one of the ten patients who are part of the trial. The woman, 60, had a wet AMD described to be uncommon but aggressive. The surgery was successful, but since it was performed only the previous month, it may take several weeks before the actual impact of the procedure can be analyzed. Further, more studies covering a much bigger group may have to be conducted.
Nevertheless, the surgeons have already demonstrated the safety of the procedure, and in time, treatment for AMD may be as common as surgeries for cataracts.