University of Florida researchers recently restored sight in mice that had a form of hereditary blindness. The researchers were able to restore cone cells, which are the most important cells in the eye for visual sharpness and color perception. The study was performed on mice that had achromatopsia, a form of hereditary blindness. Achromatopsia causes poor central vision and almost complete color blindness.

The researchers used a form of gene therapy to insert corrective genes into the eyes of the mice. Within two months, 19 of the 21 mice treated had responded to the therapy. Seventeen of the 19 had electrical readings in their retinas the same as normal mice.

“If you can usefully deliver a gene specifically to cone cells, there are implications for all blinding diseases, not just inherited ones,” said William W. Hauswirth, professor of ophthalmic molecular genetics in the College of Medicine and a member of the University of Florida Genetics Institute. “Even in two very common types of blindness, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, if you can target cones you might be able to rescue that vision.” The University of Florida research demonstrates that it is possible to rescue cone cells. 

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