In a groundbreaking medical advancement, four young children born with a severe form of inherited blindness have experienced significant improvements in their vision following an experimental gene therapy trial. Conducted at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in collaboration with Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London (UCL), the therapy marks a major step forward in the treatment of Leber Congenital Amaurosis type 4 (LCA4), a rare condition caused by mutations in the AIPL1 gene.
LCA4 causes profound vision loss from birth, with affected children often only able to perceive light and dark. The condition stems from a genetic defect that disrupts the function of retinal cells, leading to rapid degeneration. Until recently, no treatment existed for this form of blindness. However, scientists at UCL developed a novel approach that uses gene therapy to deliver functional copies of the faulty gene directly into the retina.
This innovative procedure involves injecting healthy versions of the AIPL1 gene, encased in a harmless virus, into the back of the eye through minimally invasive surgery. The virus helps carry the functional gene into the damaged retinal cells, enabling them to operate more effectively and survive longer. The aim is to preserve and enhance any remaining vision.
One of the children treated was Jace, a young boy from Connecticut, USA. His parents began noticing signs of vision problems when he was just a few weeks old. After a long diagnostic journey, he was eventually identified as having LCA4. At two years old, Jace underwent the gene therapy in London. The treatment was delivered to one eye, a cautious step to minimize risk in case of adverse reactions.
Jace’s family observed notable changes in the weeks following the surgery. He began reacting to light more strongly and was able to track moving objects—skills he hadn’t demonstrated before. Within months, his ability to recognize faces and objects improved dramatically. His mother described how, after the bandage came off, he quickly adjusted to the world in new ways—spinning, laughing, and becoming more engaged with his surroundings.
Over the next three to four years, doctors continued monitoring all four children involved in the trial. They found that vision improved consistently in the treated eyes, while the untreated eyes continued to deteriorate. Because of their young age, traditional eye tests weren’t always possible, so progress was also tracked through observations, such as navigating corridors or identifying items across a room. The cumulative evidence, both clinical and anecdotal, strongly supports the effectiveness of the therapy.
Professor James Bainbridge, a lead retinal surgeon at Moorfields, emphasized that early treatment can have a profound effect on a child’s overall development. Children with significant vision loss often face developmental challenges due to limited interaction with the world around them. Introducing therapy early in life could mitigate these impacts and provide long-term benefits.
This trial was conducted under a special compassionate use license, allowing access to the experimental therapy when no other medical alternatives were available. The treatment, still in the early stages of evaluation, is being hailed as a milestone for pediatric gene therapy. Researchers hope the success seen in this small group can pave the way for broader application to other types of genetic blindness.
Professor Michel Michaelides of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology called the results “hugely impressive,” highlighting the transformative potential of gene therapy when delivered in infancy. The long-term durability of the treatment remains under study, but early signs offer hope to families affected by similar conditions.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand access and continue exploring the therapy’s broader implications. With support from medical charities, biotech firm MeiraGTx, and government health research initiatives, they aim to bring this life-changing therapy to more children worldwide.
