Gene Therapy in Vision Loss: A Glimmer of Hope
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According to WHO, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distant loss of vision. So, what exactly is vision loss? It is either limited vision or inability to see at all. It spans from mild blurry eyesight to outright blindness. The causes can include Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, Genetic Conditions, Stroke, Nutritional Deficiencies, and toxins.
People with vision loss, partial or complete, can face many challenges in life. Research and studies are ongoing to avoid and heal this condition by providing surgeries, therapies, or medications. One such therapy that has become popular is the Gene Therapy.
What is Gene Therapy?
Gene therapy is an advanced medical approach that gives promising solutions for specific vision loss. Gene therapy focuses on rectifying the primary defects in genetics that can cause loss of vision and potentially restore or enhance vision.
So, how does it work?
Retinal cells absorb and transmit light signals via optic nerves to the visual centers in our brains to form images. That’s how our vision works. Visual loss occurs when these retinal cells do not work properly and may lead to blindness. The gene therapy provides a substitute gene to certain cells that are not producing a protein needed for the retinal cells to work properly. The virus is used to deliver the substitute gene, as viruses are great at entering the cells. The negative bits of the viruses are cleared out, and the substitute gene is integrated into cells at back of the eye. Gene therapy aims to alter how the cells act by placing in a new gene or substituting a broken gene.
Gene therapy is on the cutting-edge of new treatments for retinal diseases (IRDs) like retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or Stargardt disease caused by a broken or mutated gene. Gene therapy is also under consideration and study for other types of vision loss treatment.
So, what impact does this therapy have?
Gene therapy is aimed at ceasing the development of visual loss. It treats the actual root cause and improves vision. With early intervention, avoiding future loss of vision is feasible.
But this therapy is still developing. It has limitations such as high cost, the need to establish long-term safety, and limited application. One must consider these limitations when considering one’s options.
Regardless of the limitations, gene therapy is a fast-paced evolving field and offers a unique approach to treat vision loss. The clinical trials and research are in progress, and the possibility of a transformative therapy for the patients might be available soon to everyone.
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Blurry Vision? Understanding Visual Impairments | Riomed 2024
