The stories of wonderful results from stem cell technology, particularly adult stem cells, continue. Now comes word of a technique that can restore sight to those who've been blinded by chemical burns:
Dozens of people who were blinded or otherwise suffered severe eye damage when they were splashed with caustic chemicals had their sight restored with transplants of their own stem cells - a stunning success for the burgeoning cell-therapy field, Italian researchers reported Wednesday.
The treatment worked completely in 82 of 107 eyes and partially in 14 others, with benefits lasting up to a decade so far. One man whose eyes were severely damaged more than 60 years ago now has near-normal vision.
"This is a roaring success," said ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan Schwab of the University of California, Davis, who had no role in the study - the longest and largest of its kind.
I imagine that researchers are working with every organ system and bodily disease trying to find ways to use stem cells to cure, reverse, or slow the various debilities which plague the human body. We applaud their efforts, admire their genius, and pray for their success.
RLC