Can Stem Cells Be Used For Restoring Vision?
Researchers have found that the eyes possess stem cells that have the ability to restore normal vision and cure vision problems. These stem cells are taken from the back of the eye and are transplanted to eyes of the recipients with sight disorders. Does this mean that vision problems among the diseases that stem cells treat ?
According to a study conducted by scientists at the University of Toronto , it is possible. When human retinal stem cells are transplanted into the eyes of chicks and mice, they have surprisingly regenerated. The research team plans to see if the same outcome will happen in humans. If they are right, stem cells may eventually cure all types of vision problems.
How it works
In humans, the retina is located at the back of the eye. This is where light rays become clear images. The retina serves like a film that captures images in a camera, transforming them into electrical signs and sending them to the brain. Millions of cells called photoreceptors containing visual pigments are housed in the retina. When light bounces off these pigments, they lose their color shortly. This bleaching process causes transmission of nerve impulses to the brain.
The researchers used retinal stem cells from human eyes to be transplant into the eyes of chicks and mice. The transplanted retinal stem cells then developed into photoreceptor cells. As the eyes of the chicks and mice developed completely, the human cells survived and traveled into the eye's sensory part until the corresponding cells for vision were formed.
Such studies conducted by researchers and scientists aim to answer whether the eyes' retinal stem cells can be useful in treating degenerative disorders of the retina including macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, the most common causes and forms of blindness in most developed countries. Although these diseases do not interfere with the nerve cells of the eyes, they affect the back of the retina, particularly the photoreceptor cells.
Open-ended
The researchers pointed out that they used chicks and mice as variables for the experiment rather than humans to prevent complications, if there would be any. If, with such an experiment, the genetics involved in the disease were successful, then maybe the process can be used for humans. Although there is evidence that shows how retinal stem cells can be helpful in sight problems or even vision loss, they are yet to be proven for humans. After all, the studies that have been made involved animals as guinea pigs, not humans. It is still important that this procedure be tested on human eyes so that it can be fully trusted and offered to the public.
Until it can be proven that stem cells are useful in storing vision and helpful in solving vision loss, patients are given other treatment options for their eye problems. This can be a great breakthrough in ophthalmology as long as proper facilities are provided and effective procedures are developed.