This week’s episode of Eleventh Hour, but like most things in biotech the science behind the show is as relevant as ever. This week British scientists announced they would begin a new clinical trial to restore sight to 20 patients suffering from corneal blindness through stem cell therapy. The technology uses adult stem cells to restore eye tissue and function by layering fresh stem cells over the cornea, allowing the cells in the eye to regenerate.

British scientists are emulating a similar study done at the University of Pennsylvania where researchers demonstrated that gene therapy used to restore retinal activity to the blind also restores function to the brain’s visual center, a critical component of seeing. If the therapy is successful it could have an enormous impact on the visually impaired community. According to Sonal Rughani, Senior Adviser and Optometrist from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, “We look forward to further positive developments in this area of work that could potentially bring hope to many people who have lost their sight as the result of corneal blindness.”

Stem cell therapy for blindness is most effective on children afflicted with blindness. To learn more about one child’s stem cell infusion therapy, check out the following video: