StemCell Therapy

7 March 2012 Last updated at 11:47 ET By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News

Stem cells taken from the back of a human eye have restored some vision to blind rats, according to researchers.

They say the findings could help treat blindness, caused by glaucoma, if similar results can be repeated in humans.

The study, published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine, used the cells to form new nerves in the eye.

These hooked up with the existing nerves, restoring sight.

Glaucoma can lead to blindness and is caused by a build-up of pressure within the eye. This kills retinal ganglion cells, the nerves which take information from the retina and pass it onto the brain.

Researchers at University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital believe they have regenerated the retinal ganglion cells using human stem cells.

With permission from families, cell samples were taken from eyes which had been donated for cornea transplants.

It is a significant step towards our ultimate goal of finding a cure for glaucoma and other related conditions

Very rare cells in the eye, Muller glia stem cells, were collected. These were grown in the laboratory and converted into retinal ganglion cells.

Read the original here:
Human stem cells 'help blind rat'

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