Scientists have performed the first-ever mitochondrial transplant into the human eye, injecting a woman's own mitochondria extracted from her leg muscles into the vitreous fluid of her eyes to treat severe blindness caused by a brain bleed that damaged her optic nerve and retina. The procedure, performed under emergency FDA authorization in May, caused no inflammation or side effects in either eye. After the injections, the woman's pupils showed a measurable response to light, though the effect was temporary and subsided after about four weeks.
First Mitochondria Eye Transplant Shows Promise — Patient's Own Organs Injected Into Retina to Treat Blindness
Scientists extracted mitochondria from a woman's leg muscles and injected them into her eyes in the first-ever mitochondrial transplant to treat blindness. The procedure was safe with no inflammation, and produced a temporary but measurable response to light.
Key Takeaways
- Scientists extracted mitochondria from a woman's leg muscles and injected them into her eyes in the first-ever mitochondrial transplant to treat blindness.
- The procedure was safe with no inflammation, and produced a temporary but measurable response to light.
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