41: Gene therapy – Now and in the future

Gene therapy is one of the most exciting areas of modern medicine. In eye care, they promise to restore the vision of patients with both rare genetic eye diseases, such as a certain type of inherited retinal dystrophy, as well as more common conditions that have genetic components, like AMD.  In this episode, Michelle Hanratty uncovers how gene therapies work with Omar Mahoo, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital and University College London. Michelle also hears about the first NHS approved ocular gene therapy programme, with Robert Henderson, a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital. Robert demonstrates the impact that gene therapies can have on patients and how optometrists can play an important role in supporting these treatments. If you have a topic in mind that you’d like us to cover, or if you’ve got an interesting case study you’d like to share, send Docet a message on LinkedIn. GOC-registered optometrists practising in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can gain 1 CPD point by listening to this podcast and completing the exercise on our website. This episode covers the GOC domains of Communication and Clinical Practice. Docet - dedicated to providing quality optometric education and professional development.