Blind Mice Aid Researchers - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

You've heard of the three blind mice, well researchers in Utah have created four blind mice. That's a huge leap in the search for a cure for macular degeneration, which is a deterioration of the retina that can lead to blindness.

The mice are healthy except they carry the human mutation which mimics the disease and that's making it possible now for researchers to test nutrients or compounds they hope will change the course of the disease.

"For the people who already have substantial macular degeneration, we can stop the degeneration from progressing further. In addition, for the kids who are harboring the mutations, hopefully we can stop the degeneration before it occurs," says Dr. Kang Shang, with the University of Utah Genetic Research Group.

Researchers are hopeful this will bring treatment for macular degeneration, at lease in clinical trials within the next three years.