Man, Legally Blind in one eye, Has vision restored. Good enough to get drivers licence.
Cure for Blindness?
This is actually the second story I've read now about a legally blind person having their vision restored. This one is because of an experimental drug called VEGF Trap-eye for the treatment of wet macular degeneration.
Edward Sweeney, a 69-year-old computer programmer is one of 26 people testing out this new drug. Sweeney began losing vision in his left eye nearly two years ago and was diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration.
In wet AMD, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid. This leakage causes disruption and dysfunction of the retina, creating blind spots in central vision. Wet AMD is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 65 in the U.S. and Europe.
He was going blind and now, after 23 monthly treatments for macular degeneration at Retina Health Center, he can see.
Before his treatments began Sweeney had very little vision in his left eye and had no color perception. His right eye had 20-20 vision but could possibly be damaged by his left eye.
Over time Sweeny will recieve less medication and treatments, which includes an injection in his eye that doesn't hurt, while his vision continues to improve
The study is expected to conclude next fall and the drug could potentially get approved by the FDA.
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