An 18-year-old man from Bolton has had his eyesight improved after undergoing a pioneering operation at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Researchers used gene therapy to regenerate dying cells in the right eye of the man, who has a faulty gene that affects the light-detecting cells at the back of the eye.
He was hardly able to see at all at night but can now see well enough to walk around on his own and spot cracks in the pavement.
In the procedure, experts inject fluid into the eye which contains the missing gene within a modified virus.
Lead researcher Professor Robin Ali, of the Institute for Ophthalmology, commented: 'Showing for the first time that gene therapy can work in patients with eye disease is a very significant milestone.
'This trial establishes proof of principle of gene therapy for inherited retinal disease and paves the way for the development of gene therapy approaches for a broad range of eye disorders.'
James Bainbridge, who led the surgical team, added: 'It is tremendously exciting to see that this technique is safe in an extremely fragile tissue and can improve vision in a condition previously considered wholly untreatable.'
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