Dr. Roller Shares Insights on Gene Therapy and Vision Loss
Austin Retina Associates vitreoretinal specialist Dr. Aaron Brock Roller recently served as a resource for an article in Medical News Today about using gene therapy to treat vision loss.
Gene therapy is an innovative technology that works by employing genetic material as therapy, like DNA or RNA, to replace defective cells and encourage the regeneration of healthier ones. It is being used in trials for numerous types of conditions and is showing great promise in treating eye/retinal diseases that could potentially lead to devastating vision loss.
The retina affords easy access for administering very targeted gene therapy that will not affect the rest of the body and trigger its immune system response.
While there are still many challenges to overcome in perfecting gene therapy, including addressing some of the serious side effects, it has been proven effective in helping to protect and preserve eyesight.
The types of eye disease that gene therapy has the potential to improve include glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease.
According to Dr. Roller, “retinal diseases are among the most ideal candidates for trials and testing of these new therapies, for numerous reasons.”
“It seems that the development of ophthalmic genetic therapy is quickly becoming the gateway and standard model for the application of these techniques to all areas of medicine.”
Additional valuable insights on gene therapy in general and in relation to retinal disease and vision loss from Dr. Roller include:
What is the status of gene therapy technology today in regards to treating rare retinal disease and preventing vision loss and treating inherited retinal disease?
Recent years have seen unprecedented developments in our ability to treat retinal diseases and prevent permanent vision loss in the vast majority of patients. However, for patients with inherited retinal diseases, effective treatment has remained out of reach. Advances in the field of genetic medicine and gene therapy are poised to change this dramatically and are providing tremendous hope for patients who otherwise are prone to a lifetime of severe visual impairment.
One effective genetic therapy has already been FDA-approved, and a slew of potential treatments for many different inherited retinal diseases are currently in active clinical trials with very promising results. These treatments will allow us to limit or stop progression of vision loss, and in some cases even restore vision.
Could gene therapy also help in treating more common retinal conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease?
While these inherited conditions are relatively rare, gene therapy is also on track to revolutionize the treatment of some of the most common retinal diseases affecting the general population –namely, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. New treatments currently in clinical trials utilize gene therapy to deliver long-lasting medication to the retina, potentially eliminating the need for burdensome monthly ocular injections which are the current standard of care for the majority of patients seen in an average retina practice.
What are the current challenges associated with gene therapy?
Although research and current trials are incredibly encouraging, much work is yet to be done to bring about the inevitable paradigm shift that we will eventually see with genetic medicine. Current gene therapy techniques are only potentially applicable to a limited subset of disease-causing genes. New techniques such as gene editing will allow us to address a much wider array of pathology. It is only a matter of time before this and other more advanced approaches are developed and refined. Medication cost is another area that may be a challenge in the immediate future given the tremendous costs of drug development and clinical trial financing, but accessibility of these treatments is sure to improve rapidly as clinical efficacy is proven and production methods become standardized.
What else is important to know about emerging gene therapy treatments?
Genetic medicine is certainly becoming the new frontier of medical care and, assuming progress continues at its current rate, will undoubtedly transform all of medicine as we know it. It is an exciting time to be a physician, and never before have we been able to share such hope with our patients of new treatments and cures.
Austin Retina Associates has always been dedicated to advancing science and medical research by exploring innovative new treatments, like gene therapy, in order to improve patient care and quality of life. Learn more here about participating in our current clinical research trials and how they can help with your personal journey towards better vision and retina health.*
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Austin Retina Associates treats a wide range of retinal conditions. Our experienced team of retina specialists in Austin are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life.
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