There has been a flurry of recent reports circulating around the web regarding some promising results for people who have vision loss. These latest research results are showing the potential for the implantation of human embryonic stem cells and people who have degenerative retinal diseases, such as macular degeneration and Stargardt’s disease. Below I’ve hyperlinked just a few for you. Disseminating this news is not my purpose here, however. I want to ask my readers a few questions about your feelings on the subject.
If I had to guess, I would imagine the responses to my questions would vary widely, depending upon when, and under what circumstances, you lost your eyesight. How likely would you be to participate in this sort of trial? If your eyesight could be restored, would you leap at the chance? What if the results were only temporary? What if the treatment were of a nature that precluded later, potentially more promising outcomes? What if the treatment worked for many, but not for you? How would you feel about no longer being part of a community, such as the smaller RP community, or the larger disability community? How much of your sense of self is defined by your vision, or lack thereof? Would you choose a restorative treatment for yourself first, or your children? If you are a sighted spouse of a partner who is blind, how would you feel about the change in dynamic of your relationship? Is there any aspect of your character or personality that would be changed by restored vision loss? What if the result was little more than an approximation of eyesight, say, the ability to perceive outlines, but no details or color? Would you be satisfied with mere light perception? I guess the ultimate question is, what would you be willing to settle for?
I can think of a thousand other questions, but you get the idea. Please comment and share your thoughts. I think many of my sighted readers might be very surprised by some of the responses.
Click here to read Stem Cells Bring Hope
Click here to go to The Lancet
Click here to read article on Nature.com
Click here to read more on clinical trials
You can also learn more by following @fightblindness on Twitter.
So, what would you do if you could change everything?
LL
I’ve always been totally blind, and I’m fortunate that blindness is the only disability I have. I’m not totally averse to the idea of being sighted someday, but at present, any potential solution for me involves much more risk than possible reward. The idea of allowing physical access to my brain, and implanting electrodes to electrically stimulate my brain, present all sorts of plenty possible, and perhaps quite likely, side effects that could be far more damaging, and far more debilitating, than I perceive blindness to be. Also, as you reference briefly in your post, the changes to life, loved ones, and routines would be absolutely huge for me. I’d have to learn to read, travel, and think as a sighted person, and I don’t know that the stress (to me and others) would be worth it unless the “cure” were permanent and significant. I’m surprised there are no other responses to this, so I hope they just disappeared after some time and I missed them.