[Nfbf-l] Research for the blind with the actual data included!

[Kirk Harmon]

I'm sorry for not sending this information the first send! 
Biochemical for Restoring Vision 
 
People with certain forms of Leber congenital amaurosis 
and retinitis pigmentosa have new hope for vision 
restoration thanks to a treatment being developed by 
QLT, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company in Vancouver,
 Canada. 
 
QLT recently launched a Phase I safety trial of the 
treatment in approximately 18 adults. 
 
The treatment, taken orally, is a synthetic retinoid 
that is similar to a retinoid known as 11-cis-retinal.  
This retinoid is essential to the visual cycle - a 
complex chemical process in the retina that makes 
vision possible - and is missing in the retinas of 
people who have LCA caused by variations in RPE 
and LRAT genes. The retinoid is also absent in a 
small subset of people with retinitis pigmentosa.
 
The Foundation Fighting Blindness has funded 
numerous preclinical studies - including projects 
at the University of California, Los Angeles; the
University of Pennsylvania; and Case Western 
Reserve University - to better understand the 
visual cycle and the role of this missing retinoid 
in the visual cycle.
 
In spring 2008 at FFB's San Francisco Dining in 
the Dark fundraising event, Bob Butchofsky, 
chief executive officer of QLT, received the
Foundation's Visionary Award for his numerous 
contributions to eye health and the vision
community. 
 
Smiles are nothing more than 30 second Vacations!
        Kirk
Smiles are nothing more than 30 second Vacations!