French, Swiss and American scientists have succeeded in partially restoring sight to a 58-year-old patient suffering from blindness.
A feat made possible thanks to an innovative technique combining gene therapy and light stimulation.
It could change the lives of millions of people.
It's a medical feat that could potentially change the lives of millions of people who have lost their sight.
An international team made up of French doctors and scientists has achieved the feat of partially recovering sight to a blind patient.
Alain, 58 years old and suffering from a degenerative genetic disease, participated in a clinical trial.
He who could no longer perceive that light, was able to locate and touch objects seven months after receiving his injection treatment.
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An innovative technique
In a video filmed by the researchers, the patient can even be seen successfully counting cups on tables.
To achieve this, it was necessary to equip him with special glasses that projected images of yellow and orange colors on his retina.
Because this spectacular result is the fruit of an innovative technique which combines gene therapy and light stimulation.
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Indeed, what was injected to him is a gene allowing to produce a protein which restores a certain sensitivity to yellow amber light.
And it only took five months for his body to produce enough of this protein.
Further clinical trials will be necessary to confirm these results, but this innovation marks a great advance in the treatment of genetic diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa. A pathological condition that affects one in 3,500 people, or 18,000 people in France.