The New England Journal of Medicine reports that patients who were born blind have show some improvement in response to clinical trials using gene therapy.
Professor Robin Ali, University College London, completed path-breaking surgery on three subjects in a trial.
During the procedure, doctors insert "repair" genes into the patient’s eye.
Steven Horwath, an 18-year old patient in the trial, reports positive results and improved vision following his surgery.
In an interview with the magazine, New Scientist, Mr Horwath explained that he used to cut his activities short to ensure he was home before dark, for fear of being unable to navigate.
He says that since his surgery, he is more comfortable staying late at college for band practice and other events.
An international team that included Katherine High of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, cooperated in the gene therapy research.
Dr. High believes the test results are encouraging for others in the field of gene therapy research.