In a clinical trial at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, researchers from The University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to safely restore vision to a significant degree in three young adults with a rare, inherited blinding disease, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The LCA gene therapy performed through a surgical procedure reflected no signs of causing inflammation in the retina or other toxic side effects. The innovative treatment might be effective in treating possibly other congenial retinal diseases.

According to research by scientists at the Schepens Eye Research Institute, people with a certain low level of tear production have a higher probability of developing chronic dry eye syndrome after having undergone LASIK surgery. The laser refractive surgery is done to correct near- and far-sightedness. The study, published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science, may help ophthalmologists find out if these patients require pretreatment and whether or not surgery is appropriate for such persons.

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