Additional Coverage:
- Blind 6-year-old Connecticut boy sees for the first time after groundbreaking gene therapy (themirror.com)
A Connecticut four-year-old’s sight has dramatically improved thanks to a groundbreaking gene therapy trial in London. Jace, legally blind since birth, could barely distinguish light from dark. Now, he’s experiencing a world of new visual input.
Jace’s parents, DJ and Brendan, noticed their son wasn’t developing typically around two months old. He wasn’t making eye contact or smiling like other infants his age.
The family later learned Jace has a rare genetic condition causing rapid vision loss. They traveled to London for a pioneering trial offering a new approach: introducing healthy copies of a faulty gene directly into the eye.
The procedure involved a minimally invasive operation to deliver the gene therapy to Jace’s retina. DJ described the operation as quick and relatively easy.
Just a month later, Jace’s vision showed significant improvement. His newfound sight spurred immediate reactions, with Jace spinning, dancing, and interacting with his surroundings.
Within weeks, he was responding to the television and phone. Six months post-surgery, he could identify and name his favorite toys from several feet away.
Jace’s parents say it took time for his brain to process the new visual information. Before the surgery, he couldn’t track objects held near his face. Now, he picks things up from the floor and interacts with toys in ways driven by his improved vision.
While future treatments may be necessary, the gene therapy has made a life-changing difference for Jace, allowing him to better experience the world around him.