Miraculous stem-cell op will restore sight to many

ANYONE who has had successful cataract surgery, or knows someone who has had it, will be aware what a life-changing procedure it is. For many the effects seem close to miraculous. Sight is infinitely precious and to have it restored is an example of modern medicine at its very best.

The other devastating condition which can cause blindness is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which affects 600,000 people in the UK. For some years this has been the subject of wrangling between the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the big drug companies over the availability of drugs such as Lucentis, Eylea and Avastin. So much time has been wasted yet with AMD the importance of quick diagnosis and treatment cannot be overstated.

But now as we report today the London Project to Cure Blindness has announced that two patients with AMD have been successfully treated at Moorfields Eye Hospital with stem-cell therapy rather than drugs. A single embryonic stem cell is grown into a 6mm patch of 100,000 retinal pigment cells which is then inserted into the eye and placed behind the retina.

The procedure will take no more than 45 minutes, carried out under local anaesthetic. In time it should become as routine as cataract surgery.

This wonderful new operation will give a better quality of life to all those who benefit from it. Good news indeed.