Macular degeneration: 'I've been given my sight back'

[Northerner]

Doctors have taken a major step towards curing the most common form of blindness in the UK - age-related macular degeneration.

Douglas Waters, 86, could not see out of his right eye, but "I can now read the newspaper" with it, he says.

He was one of two patients given pioneering stem cell therapy at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Cells from a human embryo were grown into a patch that was delicately inserted into the back of the eye.

'Couldn't see anything'
Douglas, who is from London, developed severe age-related macular degeneration in his right eye three years ago.

The macula is the part of the eye that allows you to see straight ahead - whether to recognise faces, watch TV or read a book.

He says: "In the months before the operation my sight was really poor and I couldn't see anything out of my right eye.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43458365

 

[Amigo]

Doctors have taken a major step towards curing the most common form of blindness in the UK - age-related macular degeneration.

Douglas Waters, 86, could not see out of his right eye, but "I can now read the newspaper" with it, he says.

He was one of two patients given pioneering stem cell therapy at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Cells from a human embryo were grown into a patch that was delicately inserted into the back of the eye.

'Couldn't see anything'
Douglas, who is from London, developed severe age-related macular degeneration in his right eye three years ago.

The macula is the part of the eye that allows you to see straight ahead - whether to recognise faces, watch TV or read a book.

He says: "In the months before the operation my sight was really poor and I couldn't see anything out of my right eye.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43458365

It’s so good to hear of these advances in treatment for AMD. It just grieves me that it came too late for my mum who started to lose her sight from the age of 70...it progressed quickly and she now has very little central vision and is registered blind.

 

[Robin]

It’s so good to hear of these advances in treatment for AMD. It just grieves me that it came too late for my mum who started to lose her sight from the age of 70...it progressed quickly and she now has very little central vision and is registered blind.

My father's started around that age too, but his was the 'dry' sort, they seem to be starting with treatment for 'wet', but it's good to hear they are making progress to extend it to both.

 

[Amigo]

My father's started around that age too, but his was the 'dry' sort, they seem to be starting with treatment for 'wet', but it's good to hear they are making progress to extend it to both.

Yes indeed Robin. Unfortunately it was the wet type with my mum and progression was rapid and horrendous to watch her experience! Horrible condition 😡

 

[Shiv Gaffney]

Interesting - I have macular degeneration in my right eye along with slight retinopathy and cataracts in both! The opthamologist says age related but brought on early with the diabetes. Going to see him next week for photographs and perhaps another angiogram so great to be armed with this information. Thanks Northerner🙂

 

[mikeyB]

This is tremendous news because it is such a simple procedure. If they can hurry along the ‘dry’ trials, thousands of people could be saved from blindness. Millions, around the world. All the time I was a doctor, this diagnosis was hopeless - now I’ve lived long enough to see a cure, or at least a restoration of sight.