A genetically engineered Virus is to thank for the return of vision to three adults, all of which were afflicted with either congenital or progressive blindness. Shortly after the altered virus was injected, all three patients later regained some form of vision that was once lost. While the increase in vision was measurable, all three young adults remain legally blind even after the injection of the virus.
While researchers understand that the improvement was small; the fact that any improvement was displayed so early was miraculous. The implications of a virus helping these forms of vision loss could possibly change the way
Genetic vision loss is treated. These results could also provide a much needed boost for the field of gene therapy which only has gained wavering support, thanks to the death of some high profile gene therapy cases. A positive reaction like the one in this vision study may turn the tables and thus may provide the needed support for additional gene therapy research.
Not all researchers are in support of the findings with some claiming the results to be less than reported and only “suggestive of efficacy.” (John Miller of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary)
Due to the results of the first study, a second study was conducted with a younger line up of patients. These patients all suffered from Leber's congenital amaurosis, a rare vision defect caused by one malfunctioning gene.
In this study, patients received very high doses of a virus laden with a healthy rpe65 gene (the gene affected by Leber's ) injected into one of the two affected eyes. Within a very short period of time, many of the patients were showing signs of improvement in their vision. The improvements were measured with eye chart recognition and where patients were once unable to read even the largest letter, today they are able to read three lines down.
