Optogenetic Therapy for Restoring Aspects of Visual Function.

What was studied

This open-label study tested the safety of optogenetic therapy. It involved 10 people who were blind from advanced retinitis pigmentosa. Each got one injection into the worse-seeing eye. It held a viral vector for ChrimsonR, a red-shifted channelrhodopsin. Light sensitivity was tested with light-stimulating goggles. The other eye was patched.

What they found

34 eye adverse events occurred in 9 of the 10 people. 23 were mild and 10 were moderate. One severe event occurred. It was a brief blockage of the central retinal artery after injection. It cleared within minutes after iopidine was given. Light sensitivity rose in 7 of the 10 people. The rise ranged between 2.0 and 62.3 times. 6 people had a clinically meaningful rise.

What it means for patients

The authors say the therapy plus goggles was safe. They add that this was a small study. They say more research is needed to assess safety and efficacy.

Why it is not certain yet

Only 10 people took part. The abstract describes no comparison group. The cut-off for a meaningful gain came from the literature. It was not set in advance in the protocol. The authors say more work is needed on safety and efficacy.

Source

Optogenetic Therapy for Restoring Aspects of Visual Function.

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