The results of a first-in-human clinical trial of gene therapy to treat a common cause of genetic blindness have shown partial reversal of sight loss in some patients. X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, caused by mutations in RPGR gene, is the most common cause of blindness in young people. The inherited mutations lead to degeneration of light … Read more
News for Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
Oxford professors appointed NIHR Senior Investigators
Four leading healthcare academics in Oxford have received a prestigious national award. The University of Oxford professors were named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of being “among the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and the most outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research within the NIHR research community and … Read more
World’s first gene therapy operation for common cause of sight loss carried out
Researchers in Oxford have carried out the world’s first gene therapy operation to tackle the root cause of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the UK’s most common cause of sight loss. The procedure was carried out at the John Radcliffe Hospital by Prof Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oxford, with the support … Read more
First human test of robotic eye surgery a success
The first trial of robot-assisted eye surgery in patients has shown the technique to be both safe and effective. Researchers from the University of Oxford, supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) have completed the first successful trial of remotely controlled robot-assisted retinal surgery. The findings were published … Read more
Oxford medical researchers win prestigious national awards
Leading health researchers in Oxford have been recognised in a prestigious national competition. Eight professors have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their “outstanding contribution to clinical and applied health and social care research”. The successful candidates are all prominent researchers in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre … Read more
Second key step for eye robot trial
A robot has been used to inject a drug into the back of the eye in a world first for the next phase of a landmark clinical trial at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. Prof Robert MacLaren used the remotely controlled robot to administer a tiny volume of blood dissolving agent tPA under the retina to … Read more
World first for robot eye operation
Surgeons at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have performed the world’s first operation inside the eye using a robot. Robert MacLaren, Professor of Ophthalmology assisted by Dr Thomas Edwards, Nuffield Medical Fellow, used the remotely controlled robot to lift a membrane 100th of a millimetre thick from the retina at the back of the right eye … Read more
“Bionic eye” to feature on ITV documentary
The story of a patient who was among the first in the UK to receive the world’s most advanced ‘bionic eye’ is to feature on ITV this month. Nikki Watson’s story will feature on “What Would Be Your Miracle?” on ITV 1 on Thursday, May 12 at 9pm. The 48-year-old, from Devon, was diagnosed with … Read more
Gene therapy shows long-term benefit for treating rare blindness
Pioneering gene therapy has restored some vision to patients with a rare form of genetic blindness for as long as four years, raising hopes it could be used to cure common causes of vision loss, new University of Oxford research published today shows. A technique which involves injecting a virus into the eye to deliver … Read more
Blind woman’s joy as she reads the time thanks to “bionic eye”
A patient who is the first in the UK to receive the world’s most advanced “bionic eye” has been able to read the time for the first time in more than five years. The moment Rhian Lewis, 49, realised she had correctly told the time is captured on BBC’s “Trust Me I’m A Doctor”, to … Read more