Blind man sees again

Blind man sees again - 7th June 2021

A blind man can now see a little, after some unusual treatment.

The scientists’ treatment used a therapy called 'optogenetics'. This requires special proteins which are found in some plants. The proteins help the plants find light. Doctors used these proteins to control tiny cells in the human eye.

Doctors have kept the man’s identity a secret. We know he’s from France and was given the treatment in Paris. He first knew it had worked because he could see the white stripes of a road crossing. He was very excited. Now he can see enough to count objects on a table in front of him.

The man has had an eye disease for 40 years. He went completely blind 20 years ago.

The eye disease, which is called retinitis pigmentosa, kills some cells in the eye. Those eye cells sense light. It is a fairly common disease. It affects over two million people around the world.

The man's sight will not be perfect, but it is a big improvement. The difference between his eyesight before and after the treatment is huge. The new therapy will improve the lives of blind people.