" The experimental treatment is reminiscent of Lasik surgery. People traveled abroad to Europe and Canada for the procedure years before it was readily available in the United States "
Dr. Jeffrey Weaver - Director of the Clinical Care Group of the American Optometric Association
BLIND great grandmother Dorothy Leach couldn't see a thing when she lost her eyesight overnight.
But now Dorothy of Hardwicke, can make out faces, shapes and colours for the first time in more than a year after pioneering stem-cell treatment.
The 76-year-old jetted off to China in September to have the treatment which was paid for after a successful £16,000 fundraising campaign.
When she arrived back in the UK on Wednesday, she could see again.
Dorothy said: "When I got back to Heathrow Airport I could see such a lot. It was unbelievable. The other day I could see a crow on the fence and had to check with people that I could actually see it but I did see it. It is amazing.
LEWISBURG — After a whirlwind trip to China and back for stem cell treatments last month, a 3-year-old girl from Lewisburg is already showing improvements to the symptoms of a complex vision disorder.
Heather Schutt, who suffers from Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, or ONH, was able to receive an innovative form of treatment in China thanks to the many fundraisers her family organized and community members supported. Heather’s mother, Sarah Schutt, and her great-grandmother, Nancy Erb, accompanied her to Chengyang People’s Hospital in Quingdao, China, from June 17 to July 19, where she received six IV treatments over four weeks. Heather was also scheduled to receive spinal transfusions, but was unable to undergo these once she arrived at the hospital.
“They couldn’t do the spinal treatment because they couldn’t sedate her with her hormone issues,” explained Sarah.
In addition to ONH and a seizure disorder, Sarah said, Heather suffers from an underactive pituitary and receives replacement hormones.
King George family raising money a second time to go to China for controversial stem-cell treatments
A King George County family is raising funds a second time in hopes of returning to China for a controversial stem-cell treatment for their blind loved one.
Mandy and Beth Allison are the mother and grandmother of 2-year-old Summer Grace, who spent 33 days in a Chinese hospital in November and December.
The Allisons hoped the eight treatments would grow the girl's optic nerve, which didn't develop on its own. She has a rare disorder called septo-optic dysplasia.
Halfway through the stem-cell treatments--which aren't approved in the United States--Summer could follow the ray of a flashlight in a darkened room, something she had never done before.
Since she's been home, she's continued to improve, the Allisons said. She can see light in both dark and bright areas, as well as objects a few inches from her face.
AVONDALE, AZ - An Avondale girl is now able to see for the first time in her life.
Two-year-old Skyler Goodwin was born almost completely blind, unable to see anything except for changes in light.
Now Skyler can see 12 inches in front of her face, thanks to an operation overseas.
Four weeks ago, Skyler’s parents made the decision to send her to China for a special procedure that isn’t available in the United States.
After 36 days and a series of umbilical cord stem cell treatments, Skyler’s vision drastically improved.
“We're noticing she's tracking objects a little more, she'll grab objects and she's also getting around the house a lot better,” said Skyler’s mother, Stormy Goodwin.
