Irish search for blindness cure

A new research unit in Dublin is to continue the search for a cure for blindness.

The charity Fighting Blindness has set up the Fighting Blindness Vision Research Institute (FBVRI), based in the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology at Dublin City University (DCU).

Fighting Blindness scientists have already made huge strides into finding cures and treatments for blindness and were the first in the world to identify the gene responsible for forms of inherited blindness.

The charity estimates that it is a few years off commencing human clinical trials for certain genetic eye conditions.

Fighting Blindness funds nine projects around Ireland and its team at Trinity College Dublin is regarded as a global leader in blindness research. 

The FBVRI's work at DCU will look at cellular biology and the use of stem cell technologies for potential new therapies to treat vision loss. 

MIchael Griffith, Chief Executive of Fighting Blindness, said retinal degenerative conditions affect around 65,000
adults and children in Ireland today and over 40 million people worldwide. 

"Many suffer partial blindness and without treatment their eyesight will only get worse. Currently there is no known treatment or cure." 

Mr Griffith added that often the cause of vision loss is genetic and as Ireland has many big families it makes it easier to trace the genetic course of retinal degenerative diseases. 

"Defeating blindness will be one of the great human achievements of history and here in Ireland we are on the cusp of finding a cure."

See also...http://www.fightingblindness.ie

[Posted: Tue 26/02/2008]