What What, in your eye!

taku · Kickflip Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 2868 City: Central FL

http://www.gizmag.com/stem-cell-contact-lens/11855/

Stem cell contact lenses cured blindness in the 3 people it was tested on in less than 1 month!!! Hello to more awesome medical advances using stem cells.

Of the three patients, two were legally blind but can now read the big letters on an eye chart, while the third, who could previously read the top few rows of the chart, is now able to pass the vision test for a driver’s license.

The research team isn’t getting over excited, still remaining unsure as to whether the correction will remain stable, but the fact that the three test patients have been enjoying restored sight for the last 18 months is definitely encouraging. The simplicity and low cost of the technique also means that it could be carried out in poorer countries.

taku · Kickflip Joined: 10 Mar 2007 Posts: 2868 City: Central FL

For the extra religious folks who were just appalled at reading about stem cells being used to cure blindness in live adults... here's more info you can use:

No babies necessary!!

The idea stemmed from the observation that stem cells from the cornea (the thin, transparent barrier at the front of the eye) stick to contact lenses. Employing three patients who were blind in one eye, the researchers obtained stem cells from their healthy eyes and cultured them in extended wear contact lenses for ten days. The surfaces of the patients’ corneas were cleaned and the contact lenses inserted. Within 10 to 14 days the stem cells began to recolonize and repair the cornea.