Let There Be Light Sensitivity

Cross Section of the Human Eye   (Public Domain)

Genetic engineering is making it possible for a decades-long blind man to see certain objects with the aid of “a specialized pair of goggles.”  The goggles serve as a substitute for the rod-and-cone system.

Optogenetics is a relatively new science which utilizes light to control nerve cells.  This particular man, who’s been suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, had engineered viruses injected into his eye.  These viruses carried a light-sensitive gene to the retina’s upper layer.  That layer was then able to also sense light.

Although the amount of sight regained was quite limited, much hope lies in the future of this science.  Researchers using similar techniques have also had some success in treating animals with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/scientists-partially-restore-vision-in-blind-man-with-breakthrough-therapy/ar-AAKknEQ?ocid=uxbndlbing#image=2

Copyright May 25, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved