WEST Australian scientists have restored the sight of blind dogs and mice and hope to apply their cutting-edge research to human trials within two years.
Researchers at the Perth-based Lyons Eye Institute have also successfully reversed blindness in mice using gene therapy and are now preparing to trial the procedure on humans.
The process entails a gene being injected directly into the eyes. In the case of 14 dogs that were born blind, four weeks after the initial treatment they regained full sight.
The technology, which will be focused on people who either inherited the condition or lost their sight through diabetes or ageing, was acknowledged today by WA Health Minister Jim McGinty as he announced a $667,000 grant to the institute to support its research.
“Scientists at the Lions Eye Institute will be the first in Australia to trial gene therapy on people in an effort to cure blindness,” Mr McGinty said.
“This is a groundbreaking procedure that could help thousands of Western Australians and potentially millions around the world.
“Medical research is becoming increasingly expensive but the benefits it can bring are invaluable so it is important that the state government supports our scientists as best we can.”
The additional funding will help the institute pay for support staff as well as the housing, feeding and upkeep of laboratory animals and equipment.
The Lion’s Eye researchers were among 100 scientists to receive WA government medical research grants totalling $4.7 million this year.
Mr McGinty said 98 of the state’s top medical and health researchers would receive grants for their work on treatments for HIV, cancer, blindness, heart disease and childhood illness.
“Increased funding will help keep the state at the forefront of world scientific research and could lead to medical breakthroughs that will improve the health of all Western Australians,” he said.
“The Gallop Government is committed to improving the quality of services to all Western Australians and these research grants will help scientists improve our heath in the future.”
