Radical new gene therapy restores sight to patients with rare eye condition - BBC News

Scientists have been using a new form of gene therapy to treat a rare inherited eye condition which eventually causes severe tunnel vision.

Scientists have been using the new treatment on patients to try to halt further loss of sight. And they've been astonished to find that it has actually improved their vision.

Sophie Raworth presents BBC News at Ten reporting by medical editor Fergus Walsh.

#BBCNews

[fallensaint]

I’m using text to speech to say this. I am almost completely blind from optic nerve drusen. I’m 19 can’t drive. Can barely work. I am considered poor. I didn’t have a childhood because I spent it in fear of losing my vision. I find out there is something that can possibly help and you charge $800, 000 USD for the injection. I was so happy to see this then broke down crying after hearing the price for 1 singular injection. This isn’t a world I wanna live in. Knowing I can never afford it means this will be permanent.

[noahstalltales]

I have this condition. Currently, I have excellent vision. I just can't see in the dark. But I can't begin to explain the level of pure fear I feel knowing it's probably gonna get worse.

[brownkemosabe]

The last 10 years have been so crucial in the development of AAV gene therapy. So happy for the approval.

[wittypediay]

It is disheartening as an ophthalmologist to tell patients with retinitiz pigmentosa (disease in discussion here) that nothing can be done and that the vision will keep falling. I hope it gets available at lower prices around the world.

[matthewmann]

Not only this should be used for eyes but also ears, noses, tongues, hands, feet, fingers, toes, arms, legs, shoulders, calves, mouths, tonsils, windpipes, lungs, hearts, livers, brains, spines and other bodily parts and facial partings

[housevil]

What rare eye condition is this? Why isn't it mentioned in the article? Is it retinitis pigmentosa? This seems like really important information that should be provided.

[ABMSTUDY]

Please God do some miracle in this direction to recover from blindness. U have made this beautiful world which is not worthy for blind

[plugpulled]

Did he just say it costs 600k pounds? OMG.

[nomanimeraj]

Great news for all humankind. May God bless them sharp vision and health life ahead..👍

[jamescrawford]

I have AMD for 5yrs now and I keep it at bay doing Eye Exercises and Nutrients. If I stop within two days my sight is in decline. The exercises are my daily routine.

[lemezohaib]

Any hope for glaucoma patients? How to recover vision lost by damaged optic nerve

[adolphusantiaye]

My wife has tunnel vision; retinitis pigmentosa. She sees very well, reads well but her peripheral vision is terrible. She occasionally trips over little obstacles. Can she be helped with this new discovery?

[omosolafemi]

I pray the price becomes affordable for people, i need it badly

[bradojacko]

Wtf. Why do they intentionally not say what the condition is or what exactly the treatment is or how they can get it? Worthless journalism.

[graceline]

I have a condition with retinal detachment. Can these symptoms be treated as well?? I too live with constant worries of possible sight loss. Hope scientific discovery will lead to healthier life for all of us….

[JANE]

Me too I'm just 28 when my central vision lost it so hard to live with this disease and more harder because I can't afford that medication

[Special-Mursalin]

I have optic nerve problem in left eye after head injury I can't see anything in left eye currently I am undergoing treatment in Sankara Netralaya Hospital Chennai Doctor said I have vision in left eye There is no possibility of return. Please let me know if there is any modern treatment for optic nerve or optic nerve recovery.

[kmaheshagowda]

My father lost his vision slowly at the age of 25 due to nerves weakness. My father consulted doctor 20 years back and got to know there is no treatment !!
But my father is 55 years old now, our family still in hope some day father would get his vision back!!
Does gene therapy helps this case ?

[alwaysforyou]

Thank you 🙏
Im always for you😃
Welcome again

[onceofloyalty]

I have the Retinitis Pigmentosa condition. I will appreciate if you can provide contact information of the Doctor and/or the Hospital that handles the gene therapy. Thank you.