Major step towards cure for blindness

A landmark study has taken a major step towards treating blindness by replacing lost light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye.

British and US scientists, led by Professor Robin Ali from University College London, injected immature photoreceptors into the retinas of genetically engineered mice that could not see in the dark. The cells grew nerve connections and generated visual signals that were sent to the brain, the team reported in the journal Nature.

Clinical trials could still be up to 10 years away, but the team said that only a few years ago such a repair was thought not to be possible.