Optic nerve hypoplasia is when the optic nerve, which connects the eyes to the brain, doesn’t develop fully. This nerve is crucial for seeing because it sends visual signals to the brain. When it doesn’t develop properly, it can’t send these signals effectively, leading to vision problems in one or both eyes.
In addition to vision issues, this underdevelopment can also affect eye movement. The brain might lose control over the eye muscles, causing involuntary eye movements or making it hard to align both eyes correctly. Unfortunately, scientists still haven’t found a treatment for optic nerve hypoplasia.
On the brighter side, there’s something called stem cell therapy that shows promise. Stem cells are unique because they contain the complete DNA code of a person and can develop into almost any type of cell. They can be sourced from placentas, which are often discarded after birth, providing a valuable resource for medical research.
Using these cells, researchers are hopeful about finding potential cures for genetic conditions like optic nerve hypoplasia. Stem cell research is advancing thanks to stem cell banks, which collect and store these vital cells for scientific use. By correcting genetic abnormalities at the source, stem cell therapy could revolutionize how we treat genetic disorders.