Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare, inherited disease, in which retina, light sensitive layer of eye,
slowly and progressively degenerates leading to severe vision impairment. RP is caused by
abnormalities in photoreceptors or retinal pigment epithelium causing vision loss. Around 10
percent of photoreceptors account for the colored/daylight vision and are present in the
central part of the retina. Remaining photoreceptors present on the periphery are responsible
for peripheral, greyscale or night vision. Depending on the type of photoreceptors affected
patients may have tunnel vision (losing the peripheral vision), peripheral vision (losing the
central vision), or poor/blurry vision. There have been identified multiple gene, mutations
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So far there is no cure for the disease, although retina implant and artificial retina implants
have been tried giving the patients some relief. But these procedures are very expensive and
sometimes face immunological reactions. An alternative approach to cure retinitis
pigmentosa introduced recently is regenerating the photoreceptors. In some animals like fish
and amphibians retina can regenerate, but that’s not the case with humans. Dr. Reh has been
successful in programming Muller glia cells, which provide architectural support along with
waste disposal and protective functions, to become neurons that are close to photoreceptors.
This approach when available will overcome hurdles like functional integration and immune
rejection of the transplanted retina as these can be programmed from the patients very own
Muller glia cells. Embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells have been used to
derive pigmented epithelial cells and are either in clinical trials or close to that. Researchers
have also been successful in generating retinal bodies and retinal laminated sheets that
Huang, Y., Enzmann, V., and Iidstad, S."Stem cell-based therapeutic applications in retinal degenerative diseases." Stem Cell Rev. 7.2 (2011): 434-445.
Alternatives would be prescription of different dose of PRN and regular pain medicines and alternative pain treatment such as implanted pain pumps, nerve block therapy, massage therapy, relaxation and guided imagery , chiropractic treatment and oncology rehabilitation so that level of pain can be minimized.
The widespread involvement of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE), flat (placoid) nature of the lesions and absence of overlying serous retinal detachment and minimal choroidal involvement lead Gass to conclude RPE was primary focus of inflammation.(1) ...
The cells unique nature has scientists intrigued to do research with the focus of finding a way that these cells can be used to replace patients’ injured or diseased tissues. Advancement is made to all the three types of stem cells namely embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells in addition to induced pluripotent cells. Embryonic cells are the building blocks of an embryo that is developing, and can develop into almost all body cell types. Somatic cells are found in the body tissues. They renew and regenerate in healthy bodies. The third type which is induced pluripotent is genetically modified embryo cells from skin cells.2 Research on these cells are geared towards saving humanity; a noble course.
Optometrists have accepted vision therapy, which is a medical treatment for optical muscle disabilities, as a feasible treatment used for eye related problems; claiming the treatment can strengthen vision and give the patient the opportunity to understand visuals quicker and clearer (Press). Vision therapy originated in the 1950s and over the past 25 years, has gained popularity, mainly because of new technological innovations in the field of treatment. Generally, vision therapy is prescribed as a measure mainly for people between the ages of 3 and 18. With the results from a comprehensive series of eye tests, the optometrist can work with the patient using special instruments—prisms, filters, occluders, and eye lenses—and strengthen the eye muscles, thus improving sight. According to optometrists in favor of vision therapy, these methods of treatment using these instruments function as safer routes to repair eye disabilities. Although vision therapy can yield favorable results, the practice as a treatment for innate eye disabilities has been in hot debate lately; as it can exceed $8000 and insurance companies do not cover the treatment. For decades, insurance companies have refused to accept vision therapy as a legitimate method for repairing eyesight (Boink). Concomitant with lack of insurance, the cost for a full treatment can exceed $8000, and doctors cannot guarantee a successful outcome. Recently, parents of children with eye related disabilities, such as amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (cross-eye), and doctors have attempted to cooperate with public schools to allow families access to school-funded doctors to practice vision therapy. With a tight budget, most schools cannot afford to supply vision therapy, and a...
Stem cell research began in 1956 when Dr. E Donnall Thomas performed the first bone marrow transplant (“Adult stem cells are not more promising,” 2007). Since that time, research has evolved into obtaining cells from a variety of tissues. According to stem cell research professors, Ariff Bongso and Eng Hin Lee (2005), “Stem cells are unspecialized cells in the human body that are capable of becoming cells, each with new specialized functions” (p. 2). Stem cells are in various adult tissues, such as bone marrow, the liver, the epidermis layer of skin, the central nervous system, and eyes. They are also in other sources, such as fetuses, umbilical cords, placentas, embryos, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are cells from adult tissues that have been reprogrammed to pluripotency. Most stem cells offer multipotent cells, which are sparse...
Rheumatoid Arthritis is when the joints are chronically inflamed, which happens because it is an autoimmune disease which means that the immune system attacks the body tissues. Although Rheumatoid Arthritis mainly affects the joints, it can also affect other organs.
This chronic disease can be prevented, can be treated professionally at the very beginning of the process however, this disease cannot be cured. There are ...
There's a disease that lurks among young children even to this day. It's a direct result of a mutation in the genes that could result in the removal of the eye. Both boys and girls are affected, and one in every fifteen to thirty thousand babies is infected every year (Ambramson, Ch1). This eye corrupting, chromosomal abnormality shows up in about 300-350 new cases each year. It is called retinoblastoma.
Han, J. H., and Sidhu, K. S. (2011). Embryonic stem cell extracts: use in differentiation and reprogramming. Regenerative Medicine. 6(2), 215.
Natural disaster causes damage for lives and their homes. Many families face a danger of lack of water and food, and transportation. Sarah and her children were struggling to survive from that disaster, and the only store is closed to prevent robbers from the community. Therefore, Sarah can perform an action that can be applied and relate to three ethical theories, Emotivism, Egoism, and Kant’s theory
People with ocular albinism, which only the eye lacks melanin pigment, while everything else appears normal. People who have this have a variety of the eye disorders because of the lack of pigment impairs normal eye development. These effected are extremely sensitive to bright light. Treatment for ocular albinism includes the use of visual aids and surgery for strabismus.
One of the most common mysteries in the world is the development of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease is when the immune system, which usually keeps your body healthy thinks that your healthy cells are antigens and attacks them. This is irony right? It is against properties of evolution for an immune system to attack itself causing sickness and possibly death if untreated. There are about 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, which usually have periods of little to no symptoms and worsening symptoms. What particularly creates confusion in the world is the autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, which affects almost about five million people worldwide.
Albinism The word "albinism" refers to a group of inherited conditions. People with albinism have little or no pigment in their eyes, skin, or hair. They have inherited genes that do not produce the usual amounts of a pigment called melanin. One person in 17,000 has some type of albinism.
Koh, Chester J., and Anthony Atala. "Therapeutic Cloning Applications for Organ Transplantation."Transplant Immunology 12 (2004). ScienceDirect. Web. 13 Mar. 2011