BOSTON (WHDH) — Surgeons at Massachusetts Eye and Ear performed the first FDA-approved gene therapy surgery to treat a patient with an inherited disease.
The patient who received the surgery is 13-year-old Jack Hogan. Jack was born with a rare form of blindness; he is unable to see in the dark and has zero peripheral vision. Doctors injected a synthetic copy of the gene he was born without, in hopes of restoring his vision.
“This drug can really be a miracle for a lot of these patients and it means so much to me that it’s available now,” said Dr. Jason Comander.
It will take about a month before Jack notices any changes in his vision. He said he is looking forward to helping out more around his house and playing sports.
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