Fortunately, there are treatments for both these conditions. A lens that has developed a cataract can be removed surgically and replaced by an artificial one. The implanted lens is clear and allows the image to pass through the eye nondegraded. As for presbyopia, the solution is even simpler--reading glasses or bifocals.
Finally, the retina and the optic nerve work in tandem and deterioration in either can lead to serious, even blinding, conditions. The retina is an extremely complex tissue that converts the light image entering the eye into a neural signal. This signal is then transmitted to the brain by extensions of the ganglion cells. It is the extensions of these cells that form the optic nerve so, in a sense, the optic nerve is an extension of the retina. Numerous studies have shown that, in the absence of disease, there is no significant age-related deterioration in visual capacity of the retina or optic nerve. Unfortunately, age-related diseases of the retina and optic nerve are not entirely rare. Macular degeneration (loss of central retinal function) and glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure) lead the list. Early detection of these diseases can often prevent or minimize the extent of vision loss, particularly as new and improved therapies become available.
In summary, as our population ages, society is not fated to having millions of people with "dim" eyes. Rather, with proper proactive ophthalmic care and an emphasis on the development of new therapies for blinding diseases we can continue to make "great vision" a reality for those past the first blush of youth.
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3 Comments
Add Commentwhy is there breakthrough for rp. i was told that ther will soon be a cure whats the update. pankg2001@gmail.com
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisi have son with rp .is thire any hope that he can be cured.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA friend just forwarded this to me. As we all know of a few important people who really need vision repair, this video is worth watching. The vets wounded in war should especially get this message. I just hope we don't have to go to Australia to get it. Follow-up definitely worth pursuing and passing on.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://gizmodo.com/5277456/stem-cell-contact-lenses-cure-blindness-in-less-than-a-month
Here's part of an article that names the involved people and institutions:
Stem cells used to restore sight for corneal disease sufferers
Leigh Dayton, Science writer | May 28, 2009
Article from:� The Australian
THREE Australians have had their sight restored thanks to their own stem cells and ordinary contact lenses.
Although the novel technique was used to reverse blinding corneal disease, it promises to be a quick, painless and cheap treatment for other visual disorders. It may even be useful for repairing damaged skin, the researchers reported today in the journal Transplantation.
The team leader, UNSW stem cell scientist Nick Di Girolamo said: We're quietly excited. We don't know yet if (the correction) will remain stable, but if it does it's a wonderful technique .
According to team member Stephanie Watson�- an opthalmic surgeon with Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital�- two of the three patients were legally blind in the treated eye; they can now read big letters on the eye chart. The third could read the top few rows of the chart but is now able to pass the vision test for a driving license.