Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A revolutionary new treatment that could cure certain types of blindness is to be trialled in Britain, it was announced.
Scientists are confident patients with corneal blindness could regain their sight through an innovative technique involving adult stem cells.
A two-year trial of around 20 patients will begin this month in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
If successful, the treatment could be rolled out to the millions of people worldwide who suffer from corneal blindness, 80% of whom are elderly.
Unlike the more controversial embryonic stem cell research, the technique takes stem cells from dead adult donors. Once removed, the cells are cultivated before being transplanted onto the surface of the cornea.
Stem cells are a source of great scientific interest as a result of their ability to renew and multiply indefinitely, potentially regenerating entire organs from only a few cells.
The trial is being headed by Professor Bal Dhillon at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, working with the Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow.
Professor Dhillon said: "This study is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and it is exciting to be involved in such groundbreaking work. I probably see two or three new cases of corneal disease every month. On a larger scale, it's a significant problem."
The trial will hope to emulate the success of a similar study in the United States in September last year.
In trials at the University of Pennsylvania, subjects with inherited blindness experienced dramatic improvements in vision after a corrective gene was injected into the eye.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments