U.S. researchers are working on a treatment that could eventually assist people living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to UPI.com recently.
According to the article, the researchers are focusing on an experimental treatment that utilizes skin cells to enhance the vision of blind mice. Dr. Stephen Tsang, who works with the New York-based Columbia University Medical Center, said in the article that he and the other U.S. researchers have found that induced pluripotent stem cells might eventually be able to correct the vision impairments experienced by those living with AMD.
The article cited Dr. Tsang as saying in a statement that it could very well be possible sooner rather than later to use a person’s skin cells to replace his or her damaged retina cells.
According to the article pluripotent stem cells have the ability to develop into any sort of cell. Embryonic stem cells have the same ability. Dr. Tsang said in the article that, although pluripotent stem cells cells have not yet been transplanted into human subjects, the human eye would be a suitable testing ground. He explained that the eye, being “transparent” and an “accessible” portion “of the central nervous system,” presents a “big advantage.” He added that ophthalmologists would be able to place cells into the human eye, keep track of developments regularly and remove the eye if there are any “serious complications.” He said that taking out the eye does not constitute a “life-threatening event.”
According to the article, the report was published by Molecular Medicine.
There are two forms of AMD… the dry form and the wet form. While there is no cure for AMD, there are various treatments that can help to slow down the progress of the blindness-causing eye condition.
Better yet, there are things people can do to reduce their odds of getting AMD or at least slow down its progression if they are diagnosed with it. Tips include scheduling annual eye tests, going in for more regular testing if there’s a family history of AMD, avoiding obesity, going for regular walks, avoiding smoking, and eating leafy green vegetables and omega 3-rich food such as salmon and other seafood.
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