Optic nerve regeneration possible

Scientists in Boston have found a new way to re-grow damaged optic nerves.

The finding will give new hope for people who have been left blind and partially sighted by injuries to the cells. The scientists used an innovative technique to ‘knock out’ proteins that prevent damaged nerves from regenerating. Like most cells in the central nervous system, once optic nerves are damaged, they don’t re-grow but the team at Children’s Hospital, Boston have used a protein found in white blood cells which appears to stimulate neuron re-growth after damage.