Gene therapy helps blind patients see objects again

What happened

Scientists treated 10 people who had lost their sight to an inherited disease called retinitis pigmentosa. A gene therapy made surviving cells in the eye sensitive to light, and special goggles sent light patterns into the eye.

Seven of the ten became more sensitive to light, and several could find and recognise objects like a notebook or a small box. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Why it matters

It's not normal vision yet — the researchers call the gains modest. But for people who could see almost nothing, being able to find objects again is a real step, and the treatment was judged safe in the trial.