CBC News "Cure for Blindness within Next Decade"

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CBC News "Cure for Blindness within Next Decade"

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CBC News
A type of cell found in the eye has stem cell properties and could be used within the next decade to regrow damaged retinas and restore vision, British researchers say.

The Economic and Human Benefits are many

For my Now Public Readers here is my My Top Ten List:

10. An excellent case for more Stem Cell research.
09. Blind Dates are a thing of the Past.
08. Great News for Blind people everywhere.
07. Televison and Movie Industry Profits Increase
08. Viagra need not worry about customers going blind during Sex.
06. Major breakthrough for Diabetes Patients
05. White Cane Industry retools for Candy Cane Market
04.  Eyeglasses are obsolete
03.  Elton John and Bono immediately switch to Carmen
      Miranda "Fruity Head Gear" for attention.
02.  Unemployed "Seeing Eye Dogs" on Freeway off Ramps with "Work for Food" Signs.

"Number 1"
       A collective sigh of Relief from horny preteen boys who are always reminded by their Mother that     reading Dad's "Playboy" causes Blindness. "Pup Tents Ahoy Mateys"!

CBC News

Certain Muller glial cells can migrate to the retina and morph into different retinal cells, potentially rebuilding damaged tissue, according to the study, published Wednesday in the journal Stem Cells. Retinal disease is one of the primary causes of blindness.

Researchers were able to extract the cells from deceased adult donors and develop them in vitro into all the types of neurons found in the retina. In studies on rats with diseased retinas, the grafted cells travelled to the retina and took on the characteristics of surrounding neurons.

"Muller cells with stem cell properties could potentially restore sight to someone who is losing or has lost their sight due to diseased or damaged retina," Dr. Astrid Limb, who led the study, said in a news release. "Our findings have enormous potential."

Researchers are now exploring what barriers exist in the human body that prevent the cells from regenerating.

Although the cells are present in the human eye, it's unclear why they already automatically repair the retina in some people but not in others. The theory is that internal mechanisms exist in the normal adult retina that prevent these cells from dividing and replicating.

Scientists are now looking at developing the approach for use in the human eye, which might involve the extraction of a person's Muller glial cells, growing them in vitro and injecting them back into the eye to regrow damaged retinas.

"It may be possible to store the cells in a cell bank and transplant them into the eye or to use cells from a person's own eye," Limb said.

Because glial cells are taken from a person's own body, rather than being donated, there's less of a chance of rejection, scientists say.

Currently, one in every nine Canadians over age 65 is living with significant vision loss, according to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. As Canada's baby boomer generation ages, that number is expected to increase dramatically over the next 10 years.[/q]