Eyesight Loss Can Be Slowed by Stem Cells

Scientists have found that the use of embryonic stem cell treatment on rats significantly slows their rate of eyesight loss. The study was completed by Advanced Cell Technology, . Conducted on rats which have a condition similar to macular degeneration in humans, the study offered a comparative rate of eyesight loss between rats with the disease and rats that didn't have it. Macular degeneration is the number one cause of eyesight loss and blindness for those over fifty years of age.

If the results of this study can be replicated in humans with macular degeneration, potentially millions of people around the world may no longer go blind. This particular study demonstrated that when tissue implants were injected into rats with the degenerative eye disease, the rate of sight loss.

Stem cells are able to reproduce into other types of cells and are seen as an emerging medical process. Despite the controversy which surrounds their recovery and use, the versatility of stem cells allows them to be used for many different conditions. More uses for the cells emerge nearly daily with much hope being placed on the science.

Scientists in this study replicated the stem cells which feed into the light sensitive cells of the eyes. It is the loss of these light sensitive cells which are associated with macular degeneration, eyesight loss, and eventual blindness in humans. These newly created cells can then be implanted into the eyes of rats to slow down the degeneration of the rat's eyes.

14 rats with the degenerative eye disease were implanted with the stem cells. 8 other rats with the disease were not given the injection to serve as a control. After testing the treated rats, researchers have determined that those who were treated had a visual acuity of approximately 70%. 40 days after the stem cell treatment, those rats which were treated responded to light flashes twice as much as those rats which remained untreated.

In order to see the tangible effects of the stem cell treatment, scientists measured the number of layers of light sensitive cells. The treated rats had 5-7 layers of the key cells, while untreated rats had only one layer.

Even further supporting the findings, scientists have said that all of the stem cell lines which were tested produced the same results while none of the lines caused unwanted side effects. This study is one of many being conducted on stem cells. Continued research on stem cells may eventually lead to the prevention and cure of many diseases people can contract. More information on this study can be found in the journal Cloning and Stem Cells.