Can Blindness Be Cured? Popular Questions

In the world of medicine, scientists are working hard to find effective treatments for blindness. From cutting-edge surgeries to transformative medical interventions, the quest to restore vision has seen remarkable progress. This article delves into the landscape of blindness treatments, examining the current state of affairs. We will explore ongoing research, and try to answer the age-old question: When will blindness be cured? Discover the realms of blind surgery, medical breakthroughs, and the hope that lies in the evolving treatment of blindness.

What is blindness?

Blindness refers to the condition of being unable to see or experiencing a lack of vision. In its most severe form, it entails the inability to perceive even light. Additionally, it implies the incapacity to correct vision using eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye drops, medical therapy, or surgery. Sudden vision loss is an emergency, and immediate medical assistance is necessary.

Main reasons for blindness

1. Cataracts: A cataract, a clouding in the eye lens, affects over half of Americans aged 80 and above. Initially symptomless, it may lead to blurred vision and color perception loss. Prolonged presence can result in blindness. Cataract surgery provides a safe solution, restoring vision.
2. Refractive Errors: Uncorrected refractive errors affect over 150 million Americans, hindering clear vision. Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia manifest as blurred vision. Timely interventions like glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery can rectify these issues.
3. Macular Degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects over 10 million Americans, threatening central vision. “Dry” AMD involves macular desiccation, while “wet” AMD witnesses abnormal blood vessel growth. While no cure exists, early detection and certain nutrients may alleviate its impact.
4. Glaucoma: Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases impairing the optic nerve, can lead to irreversible blindness. Initial stages may be symptomless, making regular eye exams crucial for detection. Early intervention can halt progression, with open-angle glaucoma being the most prevalent form.
5. Diabetic Retinopathy: A leading cause of blindness, diabetic retinopathy affects over 2 in 5 individuals with diabetes. Progressing through stages like mild nonproliferative to proliferative retinopathy, it requires vigilant disease control and early treatment to prevent vision loss.

These common eye disorders highlight the importance of regular eye exams, early detection, and timely interventions for maintaining optimal visual health.

Curable and Incurable Vision Disorders

Visual impairment often arises from correctable issues such as uncorrected refractive errors (43%) or cataracts (33%), encompassing myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. These errors find solutions in glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, while cataracts, the lens clouding, commonly undergo surgical treatment.

Despite an 80% potential for prevention or cure, 20% of cases defy current solutions, leading to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. Notably, retinal degeneration disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and Usher syndrome, lack a cure. Age-related macular degeneration stands out as the leading cause of blindness in developed nations.

Advancements in understanding have led to the identification of various conditions initially labeled as retinitis pigmentosa. These conditions impact distinct retinal areas with unique mechanisms. For those with preserved vision, therapeutic strategies focus on neuroprotection or gene therapy. Neuroprotection shields retinal cells from demise, while gene therapy targets specific biochemical glitches causing cell death. However, the complexity of retinal degeneration demands the development of several hundred treatments for comprehensive care.

Blindness treatment

The available treatment for blindness varies depending on the specific condition. Some forms of blindness can be managed with medications or corrective glasses. Others, particularly those involving severe eye damage or absence, may require visual rehabilitation. Vision rehabilitation aims to improve visual functioning, allowing individuals to achieve their visual goals and enhance their quality of life. This often involves low-vision training, therapy, and the use of specialized devices.

Treatment options for different forms of blindness include:

1. Medication: Anti-infective drugs are effective for blindness caused by infections.
2. Cataract surgery: Surgical intervention successfully addresses cataracts in most cases.
3. Corneal transplant: Scarred corneas may be replaced through transplantation.
4. Retinal surgery: Surgical and/or laser procedures can repair damaged retinal tissue.
5. Vitamin supplements: Vision loss due to conditions like xerophthalmia may be reversible with vitamin A supplementation. Additionally, doctors can recommend vitamin B or D supplements for vision loss related to dietary deficiencies.

Experimental approaches

At present, there is no established method to completely regain lost vision; however, scientists explore various experimental approaches.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising avenue for addressing vision-related issues, presenting low risks of unintended effects on other genes or cell types outside the eye. Certain genes, like RPE65, are exclusive to the eye, making them ideal candidates for manipulation without significant impact on other organs.

RPE65, responsible for creating an enzyme crucial for converting light into electrical signals for the brain, has shown promise in restoring vision. Individuals with a mutation in this gene lack the enzyme, resulting in unprocessed visual signals. However, their retinal cells remain healthy, offering an opportunity for vision restoration by reintroducing the missing enzyme.

The approved therapy, developed by Spark Therapeutics, utilizes a modified virus to deliver the RPE65 gene into the eye. The virus, engineered to remove disease-causing genes, is injected into the retina by a retinal surgeon. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells then absorb the virus, which are adept at engulfing and recycling particles. Once inside the cell, the virus releases the correct RPE65 gene into the nucleus, allowing it to use the cell’s normal machinery to produce the necessary enzyme.

In recent clinical trials, 93 percent of patients aged 4 to 44 who received the injection experienced improved vision within one month of treatment. These benefits have persisted for at least two years, marking a significant advancement in treating conditions that lacked effective therapeutic options. Spark Therapeutics’ president and co-founder, Katherine High, expresses excitement about the potential of gene therapy for diseases that were previously challenging to address with other therapeutic approaches.

Stem Cells

Stem cell transplants involve leveraging the unique ability of stem cells to transform into various cell types when placed in a suitable environment. Researchers particularly focus on addressing blindness, with a promising emphasis on the “retinal pigment epithelium” (RPE) in the eye.

RPE dysfunction contributes to common causes of blindness, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Scientists aim to enhance vision by generating RPE cells from stem cells and transplanting them into patients’ eyes to rejuvenate eye cells.

As of 2021, Regenerative Patch Technologies reported encouraging results from a phase 1/2 trial involving an implantable patch infused with lab-grown RPE cells. In the trial, 15 individuals with advanced AMD received the patch in their eye with the poorest vision. Over half experienced improvements or halted vision loss in the treated eye, while the untreated eye worsened for 80% of patients.

The stem cells for this treatment were derived from a single donated embryo. However, ongoing research explores alternative sources, such as donated human cadaver eyes, or more genetically compatible sources like a patient’s own blood cells, aiming for ethical and practical advancements in stem cell-based vision therapies.

Bionic eyes

Bionic eyes operate by utilizing technology to overcome vision-related challenges rather than addressing specific underlying health issues causing blindness.

Typically, a camera affixed to eyeglasses captures the surroundings, with a computer processor translating the visual feed into electrical signals. These signals are then transmitted to an implant placed on the eye, optic nerve, or a location near the brain.

While users may not experience the world with perfect natural vision, they can perceive changes in light, aiding in the detection of doorways, object edges, or obstacles. Currently, Second Sight’s Argus II, designed for treating retinitis pigmentosa, is the sole bionic eye approved for sale in the U.S. However, several promising competitors are under development.

Australian researchers are developing the Phoenix99 bionic eye, targeting individuals with retinitis pigmentosa and other degenerative diseases. Successfully tested in sheep, human trials are anticipated in the near future.

Pixium Vision’s Prima System, a bionic eye in clinical trials, aims to address age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults. With reportedly superior resolution to the Argus II, a simpler design, and a smaller price tag, it has already restored vision for several individuals.

In conclusion, the horizon of medical innovation shines bright with possibilities for healing blindness. With ongoing strides in blind surgery, cure blindness surgery, and medical treatments focused on healing blindness, the path toward a future without this challenging condition seems increasingly hopeful. As researchers delve deeper into these avenues, the dream of a comprehensive cure for blindness becomes more tangible. The commitment to discovering medical treatment for blindness showcases a collective dedication to transforming lives.