Comments for Eye on the Cure http://www.blindness.org/blog Blog of the Foundation Fighting Blindness Thu, 30 May 2013 22:21:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on The Argus II is Approved. What’s Next for Bionic Retinas? by miki modh http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/the-argus-ii-is-approved-whats-next-for-bionic-retinas/#comment-25858 miki modh Thu, 30 May 2013 22:21:37 +0000 http://www.blindness.org/blog/?p=2470#comment-25858 I have RP as well. This is excellent news for people with RP. I wish Chip companies suck as Intel, AMD and Qualcomm would take interest in type of trials since their breat and butter is making chips. If anyone can make the best world class chip for anything it would be Intel and other chip making companies. Good luck everyone. I have RP as well. This is excellent news for people with RP. I wish Chip companies suck as Intel, AMD and Qualcomm would take interest in type of trials since their breat and butter is making chips. If anyone can make the best world class chip for anything it would be Intel and other chip making companies. Good luck everyone.

]]> Comment on Gene Therapies for Stargardt Disease and Wet AMD Deemed Safe Thus Far by EyeOnTheCure http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/gene-therapies-for-stargardt-disease-and-wet-amd-deemed-safe-thus-far/#comment-25855 EyeOnTheCure Thu, 30 May 2013 20:48:19 +0000 http://www.blindness.org/blog/?p=1529#comment-25855 Kadher, At this juncture, it is difficult to predict when a gene therapy for retinal conditions (including Stargardt disease) might be FDA approved and brought to the marketplace. Part of the challenge in making that prediction is that we don’t have a clinical-trial track record for gene therapies, because the treatment approach is so new. With that said, the companies (and researchers) developing these treatments are doing whatever they can to expedite the process, because they want to get treatments out to the patients (and generate revenue) as soon as they can. I am sure the companies have some idea or prediction for when they will be available, but are not at liberty to publicly divulge that information. Kadher,

At this juncture, it is difficult to predict when a gene therapy for retinal conditions (including Stargardt disease) might be FDA approved and brought to the marketplace. Part of the challenge in making that prediction is that we don’t have a clinical-trial track record for gene therapies, because the treatment approach is so new. With that said, the companies (and researchers) developing these treatments are doing whatever they can to expedite the process, because they want to get treatments out to the patients (and generate revenue) as soon as they can. I am sure the companies have some idea or prediction for when they will be available, but are not at liberty to publicly divulge that information.

]]> Comment on Retinal Regeneration is Major Focus of NEI’s Audacious Goal by EyeOnTheCure http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/retinal-regeneration-is-major-focus-of-neis-audacious-goal/#comment-25854 EyeOnTheCure Thu, 30 May 2013 20:47:05 +0000 http://www.blindness.org/blog/?p=2411#comment-25854 Thanks for your comment Richard, The Foundation has in fact reported frequently on ACT’s clinical trial. Here are links to five articles that we have posted on ACT’s trials in the past two years (the first one posted on April 30): https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3537%3Aact-expands-human-studies-of-stem-cell-derived-retinal-treatment&option=com_content&Itemid=122 https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3407%3Athirteen-participants-treated-in-acts-stem-cell-clinical-trial&option=com_content&Itemid=122 https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3061%3Aparticipants-in-the-first-stem-cell-clinical-trials-for-retinal-disease-show-improved-vision&option=com_content&Itemid=122 http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/acts-stem-cell-clinical-trial-expanding-to-bascom-palmer/ https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=2514%3Astem-cell-clinical-trial-for-stargardt-disease-set-to-begin-&option=com_content&Itemid=122 We are cautiously optimistic about ACT’s study. While early results have been encouraging, the company’s therapy is primarily being evaluated for safety at this early juncture. It will take more time (years) and patients to determine the true potential of ACT’s emerging therapy. We are also cautiously optimistic about Oxforrd BioMedica’s StarGen gene therapy clinical trial for people with Stargardt disease. StarGen has been safe thus far for study participants: http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/gene-therapies-for-stargardt-disease-and-wet-amd-deemed-safe-thus-far/ Thanks for your comment Richard,

The Foundation has in fact reported frequently on ACT’s clinical trial. Here are links to five articles that we have posted on ACT’s trials in the past two years (the first one posted on April 30):

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3537%3Aact-expands-human-studies-of-stem-cell-derived-retinal-treatment&option=com_content&Itemid=122

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3407%3Athirteen-participants-treated-in-acts-stem-cell-clinical-trial&option=com_content&Itemid=122

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=3061%3Aparticipants-in-the-first-stem-cell-clinical-trials-for-retinal-disease-show-improved-vision&option=com_content&Itemid=122

http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/acts-stem-cell-clinical-trial-expanding-to-bascom-palmer/

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=article&catid=66%3Astargardt-disease&id=2514%3Astem-cell-clinical-trial-for-stargardt-disease-set-to-begin-&option=com_content&Itemid=122

We are cautiously optimistic about ACT’s study. While early results have been encouraging, the company’s therapy is primarily being evaluated for safety at this early juncture. It will take more time (years) and patients to determine the true potential of ACT’s emerging therapy.

We are also cautiously optimistic about Oxforrd BioMedica’s StarGen gene therapy clinical trial for people with Stargardt disease. StarGen has been safe thus far for study participants:

http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/gene-therapies-for-stargardt-disease-and-wet-amd-deemed-safe-thus-far/

]]> Comment on Optogenetics: Seeing the Light in a Whole New Way by EyeOnTheCure http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/optogenetics-seeing-the-light-in-a-whole-new-way/#comment-25853 EyeOnTheCure Thu, 30 May 2013 20:45:28 +0000 http://www.blindness.org/blog/?p=363#comment-25853 Lou, Optogenetics may ultimately benefit your son, especially if his disease is advanced. However, XLRP gene therapy, which we are funding, may be an even better approach for him. While neither approach is ready for human study just yet, it is important that you try to identify the genetic mutation causing his XLRP, if you haven’t done so already. Here is a Web link to information on genetic testing. We recommend that you share this with his retinal physician. https://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=105&Itemid=132 If you have more questions about genetic testing or finding a retinal doctor who is familiar with XLRP, contact us at info@fightblindness.org. Lou,

Optogenetics may ultimately benefit your son, especially if his disease is advanced. However, XLRP gene therapy, which we are funding, may be an even better approach for him. While neither approach is ready for human study just yet, it is important that you try to identify the genetic mutation causing his XLRP, if you haven’t done so already.

Here is a Web link to information on genetic testing. We recommend that you share this with his retinal physician.

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=105&Itemid=132

If you have more questions about genetic testing or finding a retinal doctor who is familiar with XLRP, contact us at info@fightblindness.org.

]]> Comment on ARVO Update on Optogenetics: New Light for People with Advanced Vision Loss by EyeOnTheCure http://www.blindness.org/blog/index.php/arvo-update-on-optogenetics-new-light-for-people-with-advanced-vision-loss/#comment-25852 EyeOnTheCure Thu, 30 May 2013 20:44:59 +0000 http://www.blindness.org/blog/?p=2436#comment-25852 I think it is important for your son to get genetically tested to try and identify the genetic defect causing his RP. That will help pinpoint which emerging treatments may make sense for him. As part of that process, it is important that he get a thorough exam by a retinal doctor who is familiar with RP. I apologize that I am not aware of such a doctor in Mumbai, but you may try contacting the following organization: Retina India Ridhi Sidhi Bhavan 2nd floor 2/12 Babu Genu Road Mumbai 400 002 INDIA Phone: +91 22 2205 2308 (11am-6pm Monday to Friday) Retina India Helpline: +91 9820087755 Email: info@retinaindia.org Website: www.retinaindia.org If you want information about doctors in other countries, contact us at info@fightblindness.org. Here is a Web link to information on genetic testing. We recommend that you share this with the physician. https://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=105&Itemid=132 I think it is important for your son to get genetically tested to try and identify the genetic defect causing his RP. That will help pinpoint which emerging treatments may make sense for him. As part of that process, it is important that he get a thorough exam by a retinal doctor who is familiar with RP. I apologize that I am not aware of such a doctor in Mumbai, but you may try contacting the following organization:

Retina India
Ridhi Sidhi Bhavan
2nd floor 2/12
Babu Genu Road
Mumbai 400 002
INDIA
Phone: +91 22 2205 2308 (11am-6pm Monday to Friday)
Retina India Helpline: +91 9820087755
Email: info@retinaindia.org
Website: http://www.retinaindia.org

If you want information about doctors in other countries, contact us at info@fightblindness.org.

Here is a Web link to information on genetic testing. We recommend that you share this with the physician.

https://www.blindness.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=105&Itemid=132

]]>