Retinal transplant boosts vision

by Sanjay Jha | July 13, 2008 at 10:48 pm

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There has been a big discovery for the causes of blindness in old age. Researchers at the University of Louisville have successfully used foetal retinal cells to boost the vision in the old age blind cases.

An experimental transplant of cells into the eyes of patients with failing sight improved vision in most of them, US researchers say.

The retinal cells, taken from aborted foetuses, were implanted into 10 people with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

The American Journal of Ophthalmology study found seven had better - although still seriously impaired - vision.

A UK expert said successful retinal transplant is science's "holy grail".