Cells from eyes of dead 'may give sight to blind'

Tests in rats, reported in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, showed the human cells could restore some vision to completely blind rats.

The team at University College London said similar results in humans would improve quality of life, but would not give enough vision to read. Human trials should begin within three years. Donated corneas are already used to improve some people's sight, but the team at the Institute for Ophthalmology, at UCL, extracted a special kind of cell from the back of the eye. These Muller glia cells are a type of adult stem cell capable of transforming into the specialised cells in the back of the eye and may be useful for treating a wide range of sight disorders. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote This interesting study shows that Muller glial cells are another viable avenue of exploration for cell therapy in retinal diseases” Dr Paul Colville-Nash Medical Research Council In the laboratory, these cells were chemically charmed into becoming rod cells which detect light in the retina.